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Chilli Red Flame Seeds - Cayenne, average packet contents :  10 seeds Only :  £1.99 Availability:      In stock

General Chilli Growing Tips.

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Chilli growing in the UK has huge following. For anyone looking to give it a try, growing one the modern varieties isn't difficult, and provided you give them right conditions they will reward you with a bountiful harvest. Being sub-tropical plants of origin, this generally means plenty of light, warmth, feed and water.

If you have a heated greenhouse or propagator, seeds can be sown from late January - but for unheated propagation, sowing is best left till March or early April.

If you are after the best results, we suggest you invest in a heat mat or a heated propagator. These growing tips assume that is the case.

Sowing.

• Red Flame Cayenne Chillies germinate best at a temperature of over 18°+, if nothing else is in the propagator set it to 20°+.
• Sow seeds individual in cell trays of quality seed compost, cover lightly and place in the propagator. Water so that the compost is moist but not soggy.
• The seeds should germinate within 14 days at this temperature, once the seedlings have grown two true leaves, remove from the propagator to a warm, light, frost free location.
• The young seedlings will also benefit from a weak feed at this stage.

Growing.

• Once your seedlings have reached 3-4 true leaves the young plants will benefit from potting on into fresh compost.
• Use a 9cm pot and mix a slow release fertilliser into the compost if available.
• Grow on until they reach about 20cm tall then pot into their final growing container. For ease, we think chilli plants are best grown in large pots - we prefer 30cm diameter minimum. Again mix a slow release fertilser into the compost.
• Provide the plants with some support by staking with a small cane. This will help support the plant once fruiting.
• Place back in a warm, light position and again keep frost-free.
• Probably the most important part of growing chillies is the watering, they are very thirsty plants. During hot periods, you will need to water regularly - dry compost will lead to a check in plant growth and reduced yields.
• If you intend to grow outside on the patio the key is to find a sunny, sheltered spot that is out of the wind. Plants can usually be placed outside June onwards.

Chillies will reward you for giving them the right nutrition. If we hear people moaning that their chilli crops have been poor, 99% of the time it is because they have not fed them properly. If you are not using a slow release feed, a good quality liquid tomato feed will be fine.

Potential Pests.

Chilli plants have very few major pest - slugs and aphids will probably be the biggest problem. If growing in pots - a copper ring round the pot will usually stop slugs, whilst SB Plant Invigorator will clear any aphid problem and can be applied as needed.

Harvesting.

You should have fruit ready to harvest from July to the Autumn. You can pick chillies green or wait until they have changed colour, the heat will most probably change as well as the colour.

• If you are serious about wanting the very best results - try growing in the autopot grow system. Plants grown in this system produce a huge amount of fruits.