Growing chili peppers, which are exotic species, is not an easy task. These are plants that come from various warm parts of the world such as Mexico, India, the Caribbean, etc.
Here we will try to convey to you our personal and professional experience, gained over the last 15 years, in growing chili peppers at home.
To achieve a rich harvest and maximum pungency according to the variety you will grow, follow our easy rules and your success is guaranteed!
Instructions for planting and growing chili peppers at home
Before you start, we recommend that you watch our video tutorial on our Youtube channel, where we show in detail the entire seed planting ritual.
The next few photos will take you through the process step-by-step. When and how to plant? How long will it take? What exposure and watering do they need? You can simply download the photos or come back to this article whenever you need it.
When and how to plant?
The best time to plant your plants is January/February. It is important to start early because most exotic species take around 90-100 days to develop from seed to fruit. It is possible to get results if you plant your seeds in late March or April, but there is a catch with some of the spicier varieties.
HOW TO PLANT THE SEEDS?
1. Cover the seedling tray with peat and moisten the soil evenly. If possible, use a spray bottle or a small watering can to evenly moisten the soil. Do not overwater!
2. In the center of each nest, carefully make a small hole about 2 cm deep.
3. Carefully place one seed in each hole. Be sure to place the seed with the sharp tip down. This will help the initial growth.
4. Carefully cover the seeds and lightly backfill the holes with soil.
5. Using the pencil and labels, write the name of each variety and place the label in the appropriate slot.
6. Spray the nests gently with the spray bottle, cover the greenhouse and place it in a warm place. At this point, your seeds need a constant temperature and humidity. A suitable place for your greenhouse is a window sill above a radiator or a warm closet. It is also suitable to use an electric blanket under the greenhouse.
IMPORTANT! The perfect temperature for seed germination is between 25-30 degrees. Periodically open the greenhouse lid and check the soil for moisture. A good indicator of moisture is the formation of small droplets on the greenhouse lid.
IMPORTANT! Do not remove the labels until it is time to repot. Be careful! If you mix up the labels, it will be almost impossible to determine what variety your plant is, at least until it bears fruit.
How long will it take? What should I do when they sprout?
Different varieties of chili peppers take different amounts of time to germinate. Milder varieties like Jalapeño, Bulgarian Carrot, and Ahi Lemon usually take about a week. Hotter varieties can take up to three weeks.
I ALREADY HAVE PLANTS GROWING, NOW WHAT SHOULD I DO?
When the plants appear, you can safely move them out into the sun. Remove the kanaka from the greenhouse and provide them with fresh air and light. After another 4-6 weeks, you can transplant the seedlings into their final containers.
PRUNING: When the plants reach about 30 cm in height, you can stimulate the development of branches and the formation of a bushy growth, such as pruning the top of the main stem.
HARDENING: If you are going to keep your plants outside, it is best to harden them off before moving them permanently. You can do this by starting to take them outside during the day and bringing them in at night. This way, the plants will be exposed to the outside elements and will strengthen their trunk. After a week of hardening off, you can move the plants outside permanently. It is a good idea to do this towards the end of April and the beginning of May, when the chances of frost are minimal.
How do I care for chili peppers?
WHAT EXHIBITION IS MOST SUITABLE?
For best results, place your plants in a warm, sunny, and airy location. Chili peppers are heat-loving, but it is still a good idea to protect them from direct sunlight during the hottest months of summer. A southeast or southwest exposure is best.
WHEN SHOULD I WATER?
Chili peppers love moisture, but be careful when watering. Water only when needed. You will know by digging a little soil into the soil - if it is moist, do not water, if the soil is dry - do not water.
HOW ARE CHILI PEPPERS POLLINATED, SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
Chili peppers are self-pollinating, so don't worry if you're going to grow them on a balcony in a block of flats - just like there, in the garden or on the veranda they will grow a flower that will bear fruit.
WHEN DO I KNOW THAT THE PEPPER IS READY TO HARVEST?
Get to know the varieties of chili peppers you will be growing. In the description of each one we have described the color that it is expected to achieve. Each one could also be picked in the green stage, but it will be more moderately hot. For a larger harvest, regularly collect the ripe peppers.
Quality seeds are the foundation for successful seedlings. Since the establishment of Chilli Hills, every year we work with new seeds of proven origin. We take their storage extremely seriously to ensure the quality of our production. See the current seed selection for this year here .
Especially for you, we have created a starter package for growing chili peppers at home. In our home greenhouse, we have gathered our many years of experience in growing exotic types of chili peppers in our climate.
If you follow our instructions and bring things to a successful conclusion, i.e. gather a rich harvest, we commit to buying it back from you (if you wish, of course).
