Hi. Tried chillies this year in my poly tunnel. First time. Ohnivec are excellent - masses of fruit (up to eight inches long and 1 inch or more thick.) Just started to turn red. Supposed to be extremely hot. Compact, upright plant as well so no trouble. I also have Peruvian Lemon Drop which are covered in flowers and quite a lot of fruit coming on. 3 foot high spindly bush so needs controlling with twine. These are late maturing so I am looking forward to Autumn.
Jason - go for as much warmth as you can I think with chillies. It's certainly getting cooler at night and they need such a long season you need to do all you can to prolong the warmth!
Does anyone have a tried and tested way of preserving their chillies? I'm hoping to enjoy these for as long as possible!
Since I last posted, I now have a load of fruit on my jalape??o and bhut jolokia plants.. I have a question about them both though.
I was under the impression that the chillies from bhut jolokia would be quite small and compact?... Mine are huge!
And jalape??os, seen as though I've only seen them chopped up on top of the likes of pizzas etc.. Are they meant to look quite shrivelled, wrinkly and all kinds of funny shapes? Haha
The best way to preserve chillies is to dry them. Thread strong cotton or thin twine through them then hang them somewhere warm and dry until they shrivel and dry up. Don't be tempted to rush this, they must be thoroughly dried before storing in jam jars with a lid, or the like. If not they could go mouldy. Alternatively, you could stuff the fresh chillies into glass containers then cover with olive oil and a lid. Thirdly, you can freeze chillies but they may be a bit on the soggy side when defrosted.
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Stacey - your bull horn chillies; do they turn red when they ripen?
Hi. Tried chillies this year in my poly tunnel. First time. Ohnivec are excellent - masses of fruit (up to eight inches long and 1 inch or more thick.) Just started to turn red. Supposed to be extremely hot. Compact, upright plant as well so no trouble. I also have Peruvian Lemon Drop which are covered in flowers and quite a lot of fruit coming on. 3 foot high spindly bush so needs controlling with twine. These are late maturing so I am looking forward to Autumn.
Some pics of my Ohnivec and Lemon chilli.
These are pavilec - a very prolific medium-hot variety I got from Realseeds. Might have to try one soon - can't wait for the colour change!
My Gusto Purple Chillies
Hot Banana chillies
I can't claim all the credit for these - I bought them as little plants from the GC - but I'm jolly chuffed with them
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I notice a lot of these are in green houses. Mine are out as I don't have one. Should I put them in my conservatory?
Jason, I think I would now that the nights are getting cooler - mine are in a little wooden mini greenhouse - I don't have a proper greenhouse.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Jason - go for as much warmth as you can I think with chillies. It's certainly getting cooler at night and they need such a long season you need to do all you can to prolong the warmth!
Does anyone have a tried and tested way of preserving their chillies? I'm hoping to enjoy these for as long as possible!
Since I last posted, I now have a load of fruit on my jalape??o and bhut jolokia plants.. I have a question about them both though.
I was under the impression that the chillies from bhut jolokia would be quite small and compact?... Mine are huge!
And jalape??os, seen as though I've only seen them chopped up on top of the likes of pizzas etc.. Are they meant to look quite shrivelled, wrinkly and all kinds of funny shapes? Haha
Thanks.
Hi Clarington.
The best way to preserve chillies is to dry them. Thread strong cotton or thin twine through them then hang them somewhere warm and dry until they shrivel and dry up. Don't be tempted to rush this, they must be thoroughly dried before storing in jam jars with a lid, or the like. If not they could go mouldy. Alternatively, you could stuff the fresh chillies into glass containers then cover with olive oil and a lid. Thirdly, you can freeze chillies but they may be a bit on the soggy side when defrosted.