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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15 Aug 14, Hank (Australia - temperate climate)
I have saved some seeds from jalepono chilli's. Do I need to let them dry before planting in egg container trays or should I dry them in an oven as I have been advised to. Another source says to plant in garden after 6 - 8 weeks, but I guess that when they are seedlings it would be time to transplant them? Temperate zone near Melbourne, Victoria.
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25 Aug 14, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Hank. I place my Habanero seeds in seedling containers early August UNDER COVER. Through the years, I have found they will come up when they are ready. I also found that the egg containers will rot away. -Sam
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15 Nov 14, Hank (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you Sam, I planted seeds in egg containers in late August but have yet to see them germinate into plants. When or if they do, should I simply plant them in the garden in the egg containers as I am aware they will rot away?
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13 Aug 14, David (Australia - temperate climate)
what is the companion of chilli?
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19 Nov 14, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
everything apart from ice-cream
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21 Jul 14, Steve (Australia - arid climate)
Wet feet, your watering it too much
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07 Jul 14, Deepak Bhatia (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What kind of fertilizer does chillies need
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06 Jul 14, Dries (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What is the general life span of a chilli plant?
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20 Aug 14, Danie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Some of my inchanga chilli plants are now in their third year and still going strong. My red savina habaneros are now going into their second year and also very strong
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27 Jun 14, greg (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What soil is best for chilli seeds.
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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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