Sowing Chilli Seeds
How to sow chilli seeds for a long harvest
February is here so that means it’s time to put the propagators on and get the first batch of chillies sown. I’m not hanging about this year, as flakes of snow fall outside my thoughts have turned to red hot chillies growing in a red hot polytunnel.
Todays chillies are the freebies generously sent to me by my UK chilli supplier; The Chilli Seed Company. The super hot ones haven’t arrived yet which is why I am trialing these first because I really want to grow the Jolakia’s and Naga’s as well as I can.
First job was to mix the seed compost with a handful of fine vermiculite to help the drainage. The propagators were already switched on and temperature checked. Chillies need temperatures between 75 and 89 degrees F / 24-32 degrees C. to germinate. I usually start seeds off on a table next to the patio doors for extra sunlight, at night the temperature doesn’t drop as much as if they were on a windowsill and once established will be transfered to a heated greenhouse.
First up was the Chocolate Habanero, according to the University of New Mexico this is one of the hottest chillies in the world at a tongue numbing 450,000 Scoville units. Next was the Fresno, a slightly hotter version of the Jalapeno which I shall use for salsa’s and pickling. The third variety is one I am really looking forward to, the Hot Lemon which is supposed to be a heavy cropper and will over winter for growing the following year. I can already envisage my hothouse with yellow, green and chocolate coloured chillies (I hope!) and in between the super hot red Jolokia’s.
Roll on summer!
Miles,
Moving away from the firery seedings for a moment, thought you might be interested to hear that I tracked down a local rose oil/water distiller today….. who’d have thought it in our county? His details are on the web and as I was sort of passing by, took the plunge and bought some. It’s supposed to be high grade stuff. I shall report back when I’ve had time to assess.
Cid
February 2, 2008 @ 10:30 pm
Cid,
Sounds interesting, look forward to hearing more about it. Enjoy your sunday.
Miles
February 3, 2008 @ 9:25 am
Hello. My husband is very much into chilli’s and loves Habaneros..although they are not kind to him later in the day. Can you advise me on where I may find the ’super hot ones’ so that my husband may try it? I would like either the seeds or the fuit themsleves. Many thanks. Sara Lee.
February 20, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Sara,
Habanero chillies are readily avaliable to buy on the internet, as I don’t know which country you live in I cannot be more specific. If you live in the States then I would imagine it would be easier for you to buy habanero in their mature state more easily than here in England. Either way the seeds are quite common.
Good luck and welcome to the site.
Kind regards
Miles
February 20, 2008 @ 10:33 pm