Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S    
                    T T

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings

September: After risk of frosts

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 9-11 weeks. Wear gloves to pick 'hot' chillies.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in a separate bed as chillies need plenty of light and air circulation.

Your comments and tips

16 Mar 09, Clff (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi all, new to this growing lark. We have a couple of Chilli plants that are fruiting well with lots of unripe chillis they are grown in raised beds and purchased from a well known DIY hardware store, my only concern is I have noticed that one chilli appears to have a purple coloured mark on its side. I am wondering is this the chilli starting to ripen or is it some Monster about to engulf my chilli plants and I will go out one morning to find nothing but a stem. Any advice would be appreciated.
17 Mar 09, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Cliff, sounds like you have bought Siam chillis, usually sold in stores such as this and are more of a decrotive plant (I have a few for extra colour in my front garden grown by my step daughter), personally I'm not a fan of the flavor but are quite hot. Also look good in an Olive Oil bottle that you use for cooking!
18 Mar 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Cliff. I have noticed my jalapeno chilli get a purple/brown ish tint before they start going red. It should start going redder in a couple (4) days
21 Mar 09, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Mick, I tried your technique witht the toothpick, and it seams to be working.
24 Mar 09, Mary (Australia - tropical climate)
Like Ty (25/2/09), I too have small worms/grubs eating my chillies from the inside. Not sure what to spray them with.
11 Apr 09, Nelson (Australia - tropical climate)
David, In their native Mexico, jalapeƱo peppers are eaten when they're green. Wikipedia has a useful article.
14 Apr 09, Craig (Australia - temperate climate)
Same with Mary I too have small red worms / grubs eating my chilies from the inside. Any ideas on how to get rid of them???
23 Apr 09, Jade (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
How do you tell when they are ready to eat or take off the plant ??
27 Apr 09, Matt (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm trying to work out what type of chilli plant i am growing, it was given to me, so i have no idea what variety it is. The chilli's seem to be pretty hot, they are about the size and width of your thumb from the knuckle down, they have a white flower and start off as a bright purple colour. As they mature they go a yellowish colour then to orange and finally red. I found a picture of what looks like a very similar plant called ABBRACCIO. But i cant find any more info on the net. Does any one know of a chilli fitting this description?
27 Apr 09, Julie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
check out the pictures available at edenseeds.com.au - there are at least 20 pictures of chilli - this may help. Cheers
Showing 31 - 40 of 427 comments

In Gauteng, what veggies and herbs can i plant from May month?

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