SKU

AVOCCMSED33

How to plant chilli

Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep into the soil and cover seeds with soil or potting mix. Compress it by hand. If you are sowing in land or pots maintain 2 to 3 inches space between the seeds. Place in a propagator at a temperature of 18-25C (64-77F). If you don't have a propagator, use polythene to cover your seed trays and pop them on a sunny windowsill or in a warm airing cupboard. • Germination usually takes 7-10 days, after which you can move your seedlings to a warm, sunny windowsill (or heated greenhouse).

Care

When your chilli seedlings are big enough to handle without breaking, gently transplant them from seed trays into individual pots of compost and grow them on until all risk of frost has passed. When they’re large enough, you can transplant them to their final position, which is usually about May. You can grow chillies individually, by transplanting them into 2 litre containers, or plant them in grow bags, allowing three plants per bag. Place the pots or growbags undercover in a warm greenhouse, conservatory, or polytunnel. Alternatively, plant your chillies outside in a sunny, sheltered spot. Gradually acclimatise your plants to outdoor conditions over a period of 7 to 10 days before transplanting them into well prepared beds of fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Space your chilli pepper plants 50cm (20") apart in the ground.

Pests/Diseases

Damping off. Die-back and Anthracnose (fruit rot) Choeanephora blight/ wet rot. Mosaic complex. Powdery mildew.