Chillis & Peppers have become increasingly popular over recent years. T & M offer Naga Joloka, amongst others, which is officially the hottest chilli in the world and only for the brave! Bell peppers are widely used in salads and stirfries. The plants reach around 3 feet high in the greenhouse and 2 feet outside.
Soil & Growing Position
Both chillis and peppers are best grown in the greenhouse but are widely grown in pots on a warm, sunny and sheltered patio or windowsill. It is not usual to grow in the open ground in this country as they are tender plants although they can be grown outdoors if you live in a mild area and use cloches to warm the soil prior to planting and once the seedlings are planted.
Sowing from Seed
Sow in March in the greenhouse or propagator at a temperature of 16 - 21 degrees. Use compost filled peat pots and sow 2 seeds per pot. Remove the weaker seedling. Germination takes between 2 and 3 weeks.
Growing On & Young Plants
Grow in 9" pots in the greenhouse or plant into growbags. Plants for outdoors need to be hardened off by putting in a coldframe or cold porch for several days before planting out in June under cloches. Plant out in a heated greenhouse in late April or mid May in an unheated one.
Crop Care
Red Spider mite is a potential problem but misting regularly helps to keep it down and also encourages fruit set. Provide support for the growing plants. Blossom end rot, just as in tomatoes, is caused by poor watering where the compost has been allowed to dry out. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not wet. Use a high potash liquid feed such as Tomorite once the fruit has formed.
Harvesting
Fruits should be ready to pick from late July throughout the summer. Pick when the fruit is green, swollen and glossy. Do not leave on the plant until they turn red as this will not improve the flavour. Green peppers will turn red under glass after about 3 weeks.
