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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21 Nov 17, William R (Australia - tropical climate)
Anyone growing orange habaneros in Cairns? Looking for seeds or seedlings. Cheers William
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23 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can buy from "Boondie Seeds" on the net. $1 for 20 seeds. $2 postage for many packets - $20 worth of seeds free postage.
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21 Nov 17, WWilliam R (Australia - tropical climate)
We are in Cairns. Any chance of some seeds? We have red Habonero seeds available if you would like some.
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09 Sep 17, Ray Kruger (Australia - temperate climate)
My Bishops Crown has grown up to 1.2 metres tall and fruiting has diminished. Can I prune the bush? If so should this improve fruiting?
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13 Sep 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have never tried to grow them. Maybe too much N. Have a look on the internet about growing them - how to grow chilli.
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26 Jul 17, Howard (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Live in Queensland Australia am about to plant seeds from chilli .anything special ishoukd do?
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28 Jul 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google how to grow chilli and read several articles.
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09 Jul 17, Allen Payne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've planted chillies that keep flowering but no fruit, do you have an idea of what I'm doing wrong. They are healthy!
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19 Jul 17, muchaco (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Need to shake the pollen out of the flowers. Probably not many bees around
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15 Jul 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Try a little potash around the plants when flowering. Watered in, this should help promote fruiting.
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Showing 51 - 60 of 272 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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