Dry River Chillies

Chilli Plants - chillies to grow

All our chillies are sold in 1 litre or 3 litre pots. When you get the plants home make sure they are well watered but do not waterlog them. The plants will do better in a big pot unless you are restricting the size of the plants. The plants have been raised in poly tunnels so will need a little bit of hardening off. Maybe for the first week bring the plant inside at night until they are accustomed to their new home.

Although some plants are sold as ornamental chillies are are still very edible and make very good additions to any cooking you add them to, also they are great to look at and make the perfect present to anybody who enjoys cooking with chillies. If you have a chilli plant on your windowsil in the kitchen then you will never have to buy another chilli.

If you are having problems with pests such as aphids on your plants then if you only have one or two then the most green 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 using a hose of sprayer. Another method is to use a week solution of soap and water. Mix together a tiny amount of non perfumed soap such as baby shampoo in water and spay onto affected area. 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

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How to Grow Chillies Successfully

Please download one of our special growing instructions to get the most out of your chillies.

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. A place where the plant will receive some late afternoon shade is also fine. 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. Place some sort of mulch around the plant as well, which will help keep the soil cool and moist.

Keeping the plant in the pot

Chillies look great in containers on the patio or in greenhouses or as house plants. Plants are usually sold in either 1 or 3 liter pots. Generally the larger the pot the bigger, and more productive the plant will be. Some small dwarf varieties will do fine in their original 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.

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. Mulch is a good idea around the plants. To test the soil moisture, scratch away the mulch and feel the soil a few inches below the surface. Water the soil, not the foliage. Once the plants have established, it is better to water heavy and infrequently

When and How to Fertilize Your Chilli Plants

We use Maxicrop seaweed extract, organic water soluble fertiliser and pellet chicken manure on our plants. For the first few weeks we fertilize every week to promote good root growth, and then we fertilize every 3-4 weeks thereafter. A high Nitrogen feed promotes strong growth and good deep green leaf colour, use when the plant is young. A high potassium fertilizer promotes good root growth, use after the first flowers appear, not to much nitrogen. Also a balanced feed every so often help to promote healthy plants. A good tomato feed will probably do a good job of keeping your plant looking in tip top shape. Make sure you do not over do it with the feed as you will end up with a plant looking green but with no fruit!

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Chilli Verieties

News:

Seedling are well on their way, hoping for a good spring

Shopping:

Please go to Fresh Chillies page to buy fresh Chillies direct from the growers

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© Dry River Horticulture, 2007.