Chilli

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Chilli
Chilli Cayenne.jpg
A large red cayenne chilli
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Capsicum
Cultivar Group: Longum group
Synonyms

Chile
Chili
Chillie
Chilli
Chilli pepper

Plant Data
Min germination temp: 18°C (64°F)
Max germination temp: 32°C (90°F)
Germination time: 9 days
Time to transplanting: +30 days
Time to harvesting: +78 days
Mature height: 46cm (18in)
Mature spread: 30cm (12in)
Soil type: Loam
Ideal pH range: 7.0 - 8.5
Sow depth: ½cm (¼in)
Sow spacing: 5cm (2in)
Sow row spacing: 35cm (14in)
Growing plant spacing: 40cm (16in)
References: [1]
Hardiness Zones
Ideal Hardiness Zones
· · · · 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Chilli is the fruit[2] of plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae.

Chili peppers originated in the Americas. After the Columbian Exchange, many cultivars of chili pepper spread across the world, used in both food and medicine.

Planner[edit]

UK Planner
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Sow (indoors for greenhouse crop)
Transplant (greenhouse)
Sow (indoors for outdoor crop)
Transplant (outdoors, under glass)
Harvest

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Growing[edit]

Location[edit]

Outdoors[edit]

Choose a sunny, sheltered site with well-drained, fertile soil.

Soil[edit]

Outdoors[edit]

Add a general-purpose fertiliser before planting.

Greenhouse[edit]

Grow in 23cm (9in) pots filled with compost or in grow bags with a maximum of 3 per bag.

Sowing[edit]

Raise seedlings under glass at 15-21°C (60-70°F). Sow two seeds in a compost-filled peat pot - remove the weaker seedling once they have both emerged.[3] Plants may need to be re-potted in several stages before transplanting.

Outdoors[edit]

Harden plants off outdoors before transplanting.

Transplanting[edit]

Outdoors[edit]

Cover soil with a cloche two weeks before planting to warm the soil.

Upturn pots and retain the root ball. Transplant into pre-made holes the size of the pots and cover and firm the roots with soil. Leave 48cm (18in) between plants. Cover with cloches.

Aftercare[edit]

Mist plants to keep down red spider mite and encourage fruit to set.

Support once the stems grow tall enough.

Do not pinch out the growing tip as with cordon tomatoes.

Harvesting[edit]

Pick as required. Chillies will usually change colour as they ripen. The longer they are left on the plant, the hotter they tend to become.

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Troubles[edit]

Full troubles list: Pepper troubles

References[edit]

Template:Reflist

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).
  1. Chili Pepper. myfolia.com. Retrieved: 2010-09-01.
  2. Rhodes, D. (2009). HORT410 - Vegetable Crops Peppers - Notes. Purdue University - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture. Retrieved: 2010-09-01.
  3. Hessayon, D.G. (2009). The Vegetable & Herb Expert. Transworld Publishers, London. p. 39. ISBN 9780903505468