Your comments and tips

20 Apr 20, Jim (USA - Zone 8a climate)

Just my observations. I am in zone 8a. I built my first lasagne bed in the fall of 2018. Then planted n spring of 2019. I experimented with a variety of chiles. Poblano, Thai, Cayenne longs, Pasillas, Italian sandwich, Sweet Bells, and Jalapeño. The bed got full sun, I planted closely, and harvested 472 mature chiles. Every variety produced heavily. This would seem to contradict your data, that chiles need growing room, and good air circulation. The “ stems” were more like trunks of a two year old fruit tree. Almost 2” in girth and very sturdy. I submit this data not to gloat, but for further consideration. Thank you!

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24 Jun 20, Mairlyn (USA - Zone 8a climate)

Jim what date did you plant your chiles? I'm new to the area and gardening and want to plant poblano peppers. Thank you

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04 May 20, Colleen (USA - Zone 9b climate)

Hey Jim, How many plants did you plant in the bed? One of each? I'm doing a variety of chili peppers in containers this year and your comment gives me hope that two plants could fit in one 7 gallon grow bag. Thanks! Best, Colleen

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02 May 20, Melinda Schwab (USA - Zone 8a climate)

Thanks for sharing!! I have had huge trunks before on ours as well because we planted them in front of our hen house [bedding was tossed out in that garden area all year] and they were HUGE by October and loaded to the point of cracking a few "branches" from the weight... LOL! I think the same thing... They just like a lot of sun and nitrogen and water at least once every week or two.... Didn't seem to matter much about spacing and the closer they were the less breakage it seemed to have. :-)

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05 Apr 20, Diane (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

It's April. Summer is over. My chillie bush has produced many chilliest. Now leaves are showing signs of withering. Does not look healthy. Is this normal as Winter approaches? Or is my plant being affected by some kind of fungus or disease?

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08 Apr 20, Hugh Thenasia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Sounds normal to me, but without a picture I cannot be sure. However, my bushes have also started this and it's normal as the cold weather hits. (You might want to prune the bush back in a month or two so it can over-winter) ;-)

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14 Feb 20, Ahmed (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)

Can chillies be planted in a shaded area

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17 Feb 20, Astrid (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Hi Ahmed, It depends on how much shade they get. I live in Johannesburg North and have successfully grown chillies in an area that gets around 3 hours of sun a day in summer (less in winter). Important is that they are in a sheltered location. I have successfully grown 3 chilli bushes - they are now 4 years old. The varieties I have were selected for their longevity (not annuals) and shade tolerance, and bought online from Livingseeds: 2 pepperdew types (Shan's sundew and Carl's sundew) as well as the West Park Birds Eye chilli. The West Park produces so prolifically that I get more chillies than leaves on the plant! You will need to do some pruning of the bushes in spring because they get more leggy than they would in full sun - cut back about 1/3 in early spring before any leaves appear. So unless you have total shade I recommend you give it a try.

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27 Jan 20, Sekete Moshoeshoe (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Which areas are best fit for growing jalapeno in South Africa?

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03 Feb 20, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)

Look up the climate zones to see if it grows in your climate zone. www.gardenate.com/zones/#zone-SA

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