What conditions do you keep your chillies in while over wintering them? Are they under glass outside or in the house? (Thinking heating, lighting).
I had a poor chilli season this year but that was mostly through to work taking over rather more than any of us were expecting so don't have any to over winter this year but the grand redesigns happening next year I think will mess up my plans for an early start so it would be nice to think over wintering might be a possibility.
They do recomend that to overwinter chillies, you lift them, remove half of the roots, then replant into smaller pots using fresh compost. Mine are in 6 inch pots for the winter, sitting under a window in the corner of the lounge. In the spring you re-plant them into larger containers.
Most Capsicum species will not survive a frost or temperatures near zero. Even 5C will damage many species. C pubescens is unusual as it can survive a few light frosts. My plant is kept indoors, near a window.
I agree with Mel M's remarks, although I repot in a 12" pot. I also trim most of the branches, usually to an 8" stump.
I doubt a chilli would survive winter in an outdoor greenhouse. I'd love to be proven wrong though.
Posts
What conditions do you keep your chillies in while over wintering them? Are they under glass outside or in the house? (Thinking heating, lighting).
I had a poor chilli season this year but that was mostly through to work taking over rather more than any of us were expecting so don't have any to over winter this year but the grand redesigns happening next year I think will mess up my plans for an early start so it would be nice to think over wintering might be a possibility.
My chillies are in the glasshouse, but I have made 'Hoodies' to give them extra protection when it gets into sub zero temperatures:
Plans for the Hoodies are here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Anti-Frost-Polythene-Plant-Protection-the-Hot-Chil/
ooh mine live in much larger pots than yours but it has given me the idea that plastic drinks bottles might also prove useful.
They do recomend that to overwinter chillies, you lift them, remove half of the roots, then replant into smaller pots using fresh compost. Mine are in 6 inch pots for the winter, sitting under a window in the corner of the lounge. In the spring you re-plant them into larger containers.
Most Capsicum species will not survive a frost or temperatures near zero. Even 5C will damage many species. C pubescens is unusual as it can survive a few light frosts. My plant is kept indoors, near a window.
I agree with Mel M's remarks, although I repot in a 12" pot. I also trim most of the branches, usually to an 8" stump.
I doubt a chilli would survive winter in an outdoor greenhouse. I'd love to be proven wrong though.