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                  
        T T            
        P P            

(Best months for growing Chilli peppers in USA - Zone 7a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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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13 Sep 14, sheree (Australia - tropical climate)
We have a chilli plant and the chilli has not grown. They are red but only about a centermetre long and starting to shrivel up. What are we doing wrong?
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16 Nov 14, wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
could be shutting down because of the cold. Plant more now they will grow well as the temp increases. Mine are flowering now and the fruit will be growing by xmas. Ref my post from the 8th nov. They are a summer fruit
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08 Sep 14, Mahesh (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted chilli seeds they were transplanted in pots but they don't seem to grow fast but remains the same. Can you please help me out. You may email me the answer wu.ith the solution.
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09 Sep 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
I found capsicum/chilli plants to be very cold sensitive. As soon as my seedlings were exposed to cold (<15 C) temperature they stopped growing for a week at a time. I found it better to keep them indoors under lights until at least mid-spring when the day and night temperatures remained warmer.
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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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Showing 121 - 130 of 272 comments
See comments for all plants

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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