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 64°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 20 inches 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

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26 Jun 16, Julie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have Bischops Crown, Jalapeño, Hungarian Hot Wax and Zim Birds Eye chilies growing in my veggie garden. They grow well and bear a lot of chilies, however the birds seems to love nipping at all of them except the Birds Eyes. Is there anything I can do to deter them, they take a bite out of every chili and leave the bushes looking terrible.
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17 Jul 16, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Birds, the feathered variety, are a big problem in my area of Centurion. I brought the winter surviving plants into the north facing patio and in pots this year and the birds are waiting at the front door already in mid-July as I begin to plant out the August plantings, but this year, I am blesseed with glass houses. Last season,, when birds became a major nuisance, I found some old CD discs and hung these up on strings from the surrounding trees just above the vegetable garden. It worked just as well as shade/ frost cloth that I removed. Secondly, my wife and I adopted a cat, this worked even better!. Good luck!
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21 Jun 16, Annie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What type of soil do chillies prefer?
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03 Jun 16, Robert cooper (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When do I prune my chilli plant What do I feed my chilli plant. Thank you
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18 May 16, David (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I am in Harare Zimbabwe and wonder if there are any local suppliers of Hot Chilli seeds?
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02 Jul 16, Nestor (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
contact me for more details on hot chiilli seeds supplier in South Africa. Thanks
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28 Jul 16, David (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Nestor, Can you assist me with contacts for Hot chilli seeds? Seeds for Africa do ship to Zimbabwe but are there others?
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17 Apr 16, Louisa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a birds eye chilli bush that a friend gave me half grown that was in a pot. My husband transplanted it in backyard with commercial potting mix. My problem is the bush has plenty of flowers but no fruit. What can we do so as the bush will yeild chillies. I live in Townsville, Nq. Any help would be most appreciated.
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14 Oct 16, Adam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I know the teply is late but try a bit of potash to up the potassium and avoid nitrogen heavy fertilizers during the flowering season.
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31 Mar 16, James L (Australia - temperate climate)
Its probably a little late to plant out in the garden BUT you can grow them in minature greenhouses year round that can be bought from bunnings or masters .
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Showing 181 - 190 of 434 comments
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Go on the internet and do some research about saving seeds. Some seeds need some curing first before putting in the fridge. I don't know whether it is/was a good idea to put in the freezer - other people here might know. Example - tomatoes need to be fermented in water to take the gel case off the seed before drying and then put in a bag and then into an air tight jar and put in the fridge. When taking that jar out off the fridge let it sit for 20-30 mins before opening it. If opened straight away condensation can happen and maybe ruin the seeds. You can only try - plant a couple of seeds to see if they germinate and then grow in a place protected from the wind a bit. Do some research to try and find a company/??? who can advise about your situation. Google something like - seed saving companies or seed saving bank. Good luck

- Mike

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