I’m well aware that Derek was due to talk irrigation systems in this month’s update but I’m pushing all that aside because the big news is that we have flowers on some of the plants and that’s always going to be more interesting to me as well as making for a prettier photograph. Suffice to say the irrigation system worked well while we were away on holiday and with the exception of a few leaves being nibbled, by what we’re not sure, we returned to all the plants looking healthy.
The Aji Limon, Ancho, Hot Wax, Cayenne and Kung Po have been potted on again and having outgrown the cold frame are now in trays outside the green house where they seem despite the cooler days this week to be quite happy. Whilst the Jalapeño, Vampire, Torpedo Rosso and Frigatello are still inside.
Did I mention that we had also bought some plants from Victoriana Nursery? I drove down to Kent a few weeks ago and picked up some replacements for the failed Habañeros, Stephen recommended a variety called Hot Paper Lantern and I also bought a Scotch Bonnet and a Padron. This brings our total amount of plants up to forty one, plenty I think for all the recipes I talked about back in January. A bit of sun and we should be well on our way.
If you’d like to add a link to your chilli blog posts in the comments then please do.
A progress report from Derek today for the Chilli Challenge March Update.
Hi, Derek here.
Sowing
For sowing the seeds I used John Innes No1 compost in individual fibre pots, with the seeds placed on the surface and then enough fine grit just to cover them. The electric propagator was kept damp creating a warm, humid environment. Whilst reliable on the whole it has been difficult to balance the needs of the first varieties to germinate with those that were slower, as once germinated the seedlings prefer to be in a free-air environment and don’t need the humidity.
The other challenge is that window cill space and therefore good quality light is in short supply. There have been a lot of grey overcast days and our windows are east, west facing. We’ve had to move things around a lot to try avoid seedlings getting ‘leggy’.
Germination
Germination seems to have fallen one of three groups. The first group, the Cayenne and the Aji Limon, germinated very quickly, in a week or so. The second group, the Ancho and Vampire, took around two weeks. Finally the Hot Wax, Carib and Habañero I would put into a third group with only the Hot Wax coming to anything. A single Carib germinated but then subsequently died back.
We sowed a second batch of seeds on the 1st March. One Habañero has germinated and is looking healthy but still no Carib.
I’m not sure why these were mostly a failure, probably more heat and possibly more light were needed. Next year may well see an upgrade from the Stewart propagators used this time, I’m also looking into artificial light sources like the Sunblaster T5, that we saw at The Edible Food Show last week. They were being used on a stand to demonstrate an irrigation system and are from America, I can’t find a UK supplier yet so that will be a work in progress.
In the second lot of seeds I also added in some Kung Pao from the South Devon Chilli Farm, it’s a hybrid and is such an easy grower, less than one week to germinate, producing a lovely bushy plant that will grow outdoors with little or no attention and some Friggitello, a very mild chilli from Franci seeds.
Potting On
All the plants have now been repotted using John Innes No2 and are in the cold frame at the allotment. This was important as we were away skiing and we need someone else to keep an eye on them for six or seven days. The cold-frame worked well, with its twin-wall polycarbonate windows which allows the light in but not too much heat. The heat that is captured during the day stays locked-in. The temperatures ranging between 5ºC at night and up to 30ºC during the day compared that with the greenhouse at -2ºC and 38ºC during the same period.
The growth rate has slowed down a bit in the cooler environment but all the plants, around thirty in total, are looking very healthy.
Thanks for reading.
D.
So as Derek says we’ve had a bit of a fail with the Carib and Habañero, rather than attempt a third sowing I’m going to try and buy some plants in. So if anyone can recommend a supplier I’d appreciate it.
I’ve put some links below to blogs that are also talking about chillies and if you’re growing them or know someone who is then please feel free to add a link to any blog posts in the comments.
Whilst it’s been quiet at the plot in the few weeks things are progressing at a pace with the chillies. They arrived in the post at the end of the first week of February and were sown a couple of days later in small peat pots. Four pots per variety, two seeds per pot and into the heated propagator set at 26°C. Two weeks later all with the exception of the Hungarian Hot Wax all have started to germinate.
These photographs of the Cayenne were taken yesterday.
On a final note if you’re using plastic labels please make sure you use a waterproof pen otherwise you will look at the pots just as you are about to go to bed and realise that the ink is disappearing before your very eyes. A lively ‘conversation’ will then ensue along with some frantic rushing around to remedy the situation. It doesn’t make for the most restful end to the day.
If you’re growing chillies and would like to post a link to some pictures on your blog or facebook page in the comments then please do.
Southbourne Gardens 