Getting ready

Chilli seeds need the right environment to germinate into a fully productive chilli plant. One important factor is chilli seeds need warm, moist soil to germinate. Soil temperature is crucial and must be maintained above the minimum 21°C (70°F), although around 25°C (78°F) I find is best. Below this temperature seeds will take a long time to germinate and may rot. The best bit of equipment to get the seeds germinating is a heated propagator but you could easily use warm cupboard, an area close to a radiator or boiler, or a warm room. The other equipment you will need is a seed tray or pot, labels, a sieve and some potting compost

Sowing your seeds

In order to get a really good crop of chillies you need to start early in the spring. Some chilli plants can take up to 3 or 4 months to mature, so an early start is essential to ensure that the plant will produce chillies throughout the summer.

Now we can start sowing, fill a small pot or seed tray with your compost, you can either use special loam based compost such as John Innes Seed or a good general purpose compost. Fill your tray with moist compost and flatten down. Spread your seed evenly over the soil and then with a sieve cover the seeds with a very thin layer of compost, then carefully water. Keep the soil moist at all times, store somewhere warm and wait!

Germination

After a week - 10 days the seedlings may start to show, but some varieties do take a long time, some as long as three weeks or more. Do not be hasty to give up on your seeds. You do not need any light to germinate so they can be kept in a a dark area, but once they have germinated they need lots of lights to ensure they develop into strong plants. Chilli seed germination early in the season is generally the trickiest part to growing chillies but the rewards await.

Young Seedlings

Once your seed has germinated you then need to give them as much light as possible. if you have started very early in the year they may need to be kept under artificial light for a time. If you started early springthen putting the seedlings somewhere which gets lots of light should be fine. Seedlings do not need the soil to be as warm as when they where germinating but be careful not to let them get cold and damp.

Transplanting

When your chilli seedlings have their first set of true leafs then it is time to move them up into a bigger pot. Chilli seedlings do not like to be put into a big pot straight away, it is better to start with a small pot and gradually move them into a bigger pots as they out grow each pot.

Keeping the plant in the pot

Chillies look great in containers on the patio or in greenhouses or as house plants. Generally the larger the pot the bigger, and more productive the plant will be. Some small dwarf varieties will do fine in smallerl size pots. Keep an eye on watering, it is acceptable to let the top inch or so to dry out between watering. Test the soil with your finger, if dry then soak the plant well, do not leave plant standing in water.

Planting in the ground

Pick the spot where you want to locate your Chilli plants. This should generally be a spot that receives lots of sun, and is in a well drained. Dig a hole larger and deeper than the plant you will be transplanting. Add some organic matter (compost, well rotted manure) to the soil that you just removed from the hole and mix together. Put that mixed soil back into the hole. Place the Chilli plant at the same level or slightly deeper than how it was growing in the pot. Backfill with more of the same loose, mixed soil, and when done tap down the soil down around the stem.

When and How to Water Your Chilli Plants

After transplanting, the plants will need to have consistent soil moisture to nourish them as they start making new roots into their new environment. Depending on the weather, the soil, and the location, this could be daily watering. So for the first few weeks, keep a keen eye on your plants. After that time, keep the plants moist, but not to damp. Once the plants have established, it is better to water heavy and infrequently, this can be achieved but testing the soil, if the soil is damp, then don't water, if dry then give a big water

When and How to feed Your Chilli Plants

For the first few weeks feed every week to promote good root growth, and then feed every 2-3 weeks thereafter. For great results we recommend you use a good soluble tomato feed or a special chilli plant feed. Make sure you do not over do it with the feed as you will end up with a plant looking lovely and bushy but with very little fruit!

How to care for your chilli plants

Once your plants are established and are getting good light, food and water you should end up with a great looking plant which should produce a bounty of chillies. If your plant starts looking a bit sorry for it's self then check that you are not over watering, the plant is in a good light position and is getting the right amounts of nutrients. Regularly check for pest such as aphids on the underside of the leaves. If the plant is root bound then look to transplant into a bigger pot. Terracotta pots are great for chillies as they keep the roots at a even temperature which they like.

Chilli Pest Control

If you are having problems with pests such as aphids on your plants then if you only have one or two then the greenest way of getting rid of the blighters is to quash them or brush them of. It is also possible to spray them of with water and a small amount of washing up liquid using a sprayer. If you preferred you can also buy a solution or sprayer from your local garden centre, we have used a solution called SP Plant Invigorator

Over wintering Chilli Plants

Contrary to popular belief Chile pepper plants are perennials and can grow for many years if over wintered successfully. Over wintered plants can give you a great head start for a new growing season, as mature plants will quickly produce flower sets and very early crops in year 2.

If your plants are positioned in a warm and light position in your home them your plant may well thrive throughout the winter months, much also depends on the winter light levels. Remember, chilli hate frost, one lick of frost and the plant will suffer