How do you take care of a red chilli plant?
Ideally, chilli likes a warm, sheltered position, especially if grown in cooler regions. Its branches are quite brittle and its leaves are easily torn, so it needs wind protection. It will be happy in most garden soils, or sandy soils with added organic matter. Chilli plants like growing in situations where the temperature can be easily regulated. If growing outside, select a sunny, sheltered, well drained position. If growing inside, a sunny window sill or conservatory is perfect. Just remember – don’t let the soil dry out.Very hot chilli varieties definitely grow better under cover, as this helps develop the intense heat, taste and flavour. Although they can be grown in well-prepared, moisture-retentive soil, they usually crop better and more reliably if grown in pots.In most areas, chillies grow from spring to autumn. In cold climates, grow chilli as a summer to early autumn crop with plenty of shelter from cold winds. In the tropics, chillies grow year-round but are best sown from autumn to spring.
Do chilli plants need food?
Q: What type of plant food do chilli plants like? A: The best approach is to use a balanced feed, but one that has a good quantity of potash (potassium) to encourage flowering and fruiting. Liquid fertiliser and blue grain plant food are particularly popular for potted chillies. They provide a quick boost of nutrients and ensure a certain basic supply. However, with the wrong dosage, the high salt concentrations in mineral fertilisers can cause slight to severe damage.Which fertiliser is best to use? Chilli and pepper plants are solanaceous plants and heavy feeders like tomatoes. For fertilisation, a special chilli liquid fertiliser or a tomato fertiliser is suitable. It is best to fertilise the small plants with liquid fertiliser every two weeks.
Can chili grow all year round?
In most areas, chillies grow from spring to autumn. In cold climates, grow chilli as a summer to early autumn crop with plenty of shelter from cold winds. In the tropics, chillies grow year-round but are best sown from autumn to spring. Growing chillies is not the easiest as already germination can be eratic. The hotter the pepper the harder the seeds germinate, and that is my experience. The best time to sow the pepper seeds is January – March, but I am sure that some of you keen gardeners sow the chillies as early as December.January and February are the perfect months to start sowing your chilli pepper seeds indoors. Although you can still sow the seeds right up until the end of March, early sowing gives your chillies plenty of time to ripen before the end of summer.