Growing Chilli peppers, also Hot peppers

Capsicum sp. : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S S            
        T T T          

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 9-11 weeks. Wear gloves to pick 'hot' chillies.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Best grown in a separate bed as chillies need plenty of light and air circulation.

Your comments and tips

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15 Aug 14, Hank (Australia - temperate climate)
I have saved some seeds from jalepono chilli's. Do I need to let them dry before planting in egg container trays or should I dry them in an oven as I have been advised to. Another source says to plant in garden after 6 - 8 weeks, but I guess that when they are seedlings it would be time to transplant them? Temperate zone near Melbourne, Victoria.
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25 Aug 14, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Hank. I place my Habanero seeds in seedling containers early August UNDER COVER. Through the years, I have found they will come up when they are ready. I also found that the egg containers will rot away. -Sam
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15 Nov 14, Hank (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you Sam, I planted seeds in egg containers in late August but have yet to see them germinate into plants. When or if they do, should I simply plant them in the garden in the egg containers as I am aware they will rot away?
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13 Aug 14, David (Australia - temperate climate)
what is the companion of chilli?
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19 Nov 14, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
everything apart from ice-cream
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21 Jul 14, Steve (Australia - arid climate)
Wet feet, your watering it too much
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07 Jul 14, Deepak Bhatia (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What kind of fertilizer does chillies need
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06 Jul 14, Dries (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What is the general life span of a chilli plant?
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20 Aug 14, Danie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Some of my inchanga chilli plants are now in their third year and still going strong. My red savina habaneros are now going into their second year and also very strong
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27 Jun 14, greg (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What soil is best for chilli seeds.
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Showing 251 - 260 of 434 comments
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Snails love small chilli plants so when you plant put some snail pallets around. Chilli doesn't grow well in small cup size plastic pots so don't use them or if you buy a chilli plant in one transplant to a large ceramic pot immediately. Grow from seed in a sandy garden bed seems to work very well to germinate, when the plants are as tall as your finger transplant them into a largish ceramic pot 2 litre minimum and don't be scared of leaving them in a large pot as they grow well in pots. Use a reasonable quality potting mix and water every day, mornings best, Full sun is best so find a spot where the chilli gets the maximum sun possible. The potting mix will have enough fertiliser for the next growth stage so don't add any fertiliser for the next month. Then add blood and bone and watch them grow quickly and start to flower. I've had really good results with blood and bone so have not needed to try alternative fertilisers like manure. The beauty of blood and bone is it is almost impossible to burn or kill your plants. Finally add potash fertiliser a month after the blood and bone to ensure the chilli bush has plenty of fruit. The chilli's ive grown in big pots grow jjust as good as the ones in the garden beds if not better. L put that down to the warm soil and potting mix. I live in Perth too so I hope you have luck with your chilli's

- Peter

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