Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	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

05 May 09, Hans Zerbes (Australia - temperate climate): Love jalapeno's I have about 25 bushes planted close together, grew them from i saved plant, will I be able to repeat this? will the existing give another crop next season We have no frost (Coastal) Still productive now. Hans
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16 Apr 20, Tom jivani (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Hi how many years can repeat fruiting this jalapeno's chilli ?
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01 May 09, Hazel (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I was wondering if chili plants grow wild? we have a small one in our backyard & none of us planted it or even like chilis, yeah I know it's a stupid question but we're new to this I only found it yesterday.
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30 Apr 09, Mark (Australia - temperate climate): Hi Matt (27th April 09). I have the same chillies growing as you do. Mine are called Firecrackers. I think they are the Firecracker Piquin from Capsicum Annuum family which i believe means you should keep some seeds if you want to grow them again. It may or may not survive til next year. A nice chilli though. We have been thoroughly enjoying the Black Pearl, Scotch Bonnet and White Habanero this season. Still got a few to ripen. Lucky the days in Perth are still sunny. The Jamaican Gold produced some beautiful looking fruit this year too and quite delicious!
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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
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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?
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23 Apr 09, Jade (Australia - cool/mountain climate): How do you tell when they are ready to eat or take off the plant ??
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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???
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11 Apr 09, Nelson (Australia - tropical climate): David, In their native Mexico, jalapeño peppers are eaten when they're green. Wikipedia has a useful article.
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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.
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Snails love small chilli plants so when you plant put some snail pallets around. Chilli doesn't grow well in small cup size plastic pots so don't use them or if you buy a chilli plant in one transplant to a large ceramic pot immediately. Grow from seed in a sandy garden bed seems to work very well to germinate, when the plants are as tall as your finger transplant them into a largish ceramic pot 2 litre minimum and don't be scared of leaving them in a large pot as they grow well in pots. Use a reasonable quality potting mix and water every day, mornings best, Full sun is best so find a spot where the chilli gets the maximum sun possible. The potting mix will have enough fertiliser for the next growth stage so don't add any fertiliser for the next month. Then add blood and bone and watch them grow quickly and start to flower. I've had really good results with blood and bone so have not needed to try alternative fertilisers like manure. The beauty of blood and bone is it is almost impossible to burn or kill your plants. Finally add potash fertiliser a month after the blood and bone to ensure the chilli bush has plenty of fruit. The chilli's ive grown in big pots grow jjust as good as the ones in the garden beds if not better. L put that down to the warm soil and potting mix. I live in Perth too so I hope you have luck with your chilli's

- Peter

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Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Your comments and tips

GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Your comments and tips

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