Everything you need to know about growing chillies
Growing chillies is a very long process that takes between five and eight months to complete, but for the pepper expert, it’s well worth the wait. Because of the long growing time, you should always start growing chillies in a pot indoors. Many people cultivate chillies inside a greenhouse because of the long growing season, but you can simulate conditions inside a greenhouse.
Start sowing your chillies in March. Put about three seeds per inch of a seedling tray. You must make sure the seedling tray drains well, or your chillies won’t thrive. When the seedlings are about a half an inch tall, then it’s time to transplant them outdoors. Don’t forget to fertilize your seedlings right after you transplant them. They will need the extra nutrition to help them get over the move.
When you transplant your chillies, make sure you do so in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. The soil should also drain well. While you’re growing chillies, make sure you water them frequently, but not so much that the soil gets waterlogged. Just keep an eye on the soil and make sure it is moist without being drenched. Overwatering will cause the roots to rot, so it’s very important that you pay attention to exactly how much water your chillies are getting. A good rule of thumb is to water your chillies about twice a week.
When the flowers begin to grow, just leave them there and wait for the chillies to form. The chillies will form after the flowers die, so don’t worry when the flowers start to die. After your first batch of chillies arrive, you will then want to add fertilizer about once every other week. When your chillies are about six inches tall, it’s time to remove the tip. This will make the chillies grow more like a bush and less like a small plant. The chillies will continue growing upward, reaching about six feet in height. You’ll need a garden stake to help the chillies continue to grow.
Your chillies will be ready to harvest about five to eight months after you planted the seeds. It takes a couple of weeks from when the chillies first start to form to when they are fully formed. If you want red chillies instead of green ones, then you’ll have to wait a few more weeks for the chillies to turn from green to red. However, you can harvest them while they are green, as some recipes do call for the younger, green variety of chillies.
Another factor in how long you leave the chillies on the plant is how hot you want them to be. Leave them on the plant longer for hotter chillies. This is a very important skill to master for those who love chillies and love ethic dishes that use the fresh peppers. Just make sure you always wash your hands thoroughly after you handle chillies, or you’ll end up burning your eyes or nose accidentally.