Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi Geoff - completely agree. I've had them in a window propergater for a long time. Hot mix and orange wonder have germinated, but plants remain small. But zero germination on other varieties. More heat needed I think - back up into the attic for a proper look.

Pawty

Dear Pawty and Geoff,
chilli seed needs more heat to germinate the hotter they are and also the smaller fruit they produce. It has a lot to do with the species they are derived from as well. It is all quite complicated but you cannot really go very wrong if you can give them over 20C heat.

If you know that you have had trouble getting enough to germinate then sow more or try to overwinter the plants. Also if the chillis are hot and small fruited they are often slow to produce a good crop in one season. My advice here is to sow the seeds in May because this way you get more reliable heat to get them started and then overwinter the chillis as small plants that have not fruited. Varieties that can benefit from this treatment are tepin and tabasco. These were the last of my chillis to ripen in November and December and if I did not have a heated glasshouse then I would not have got a crop.
Regards Sally Wright.

Hi Sally, great advice, thank you.

My overwintered Tabasco is looking great. Others not so, they were a few years old.

I'll start some more in the heated propogator hopefully!

Dear Sally, you really are a mine of interesting and reliable information, we are very lucky to have you as a forum member.

I hope were not making you blush Sally but yes, clearly we have the benefit of professional advise and in a wide range of subjects and always happy to join in and help.

On two stokes, or even four stroke machines particularly those held close to the body it's Aspen fuel Sally. Expensive, but saves in the long run. Not to mention your the health of your lungs.

And I still think two strokes are governed by evil spirits. (Smile) I have two neighbours who never care for their machines to the point of neglect, use old fuel, no air filters because they fell on their tacky machines but they always start and run, Mine on the other hand are cossetted, stored in a warm dry place, run on top grade fuel and oils and give me nothing but trouble. (Slight exaggeration)

Sorry for the fierce digress.