Chilli Red Cherry Hot

$4.49

Capsicum Frutescens

  • Seed Count 15
  • Perfect for stuffing
  • Perennial

In stock

Description

The Chilli Red Cherry Hot produces round cherry like fruits, 3 cm in diameter that ripen from green to deep red with a medium to hot in flavour.

Adaptable to most garden soils but prefers a well-drained well fed soil in a sunny position.

Annual in temperate climates perennial in the tropics.

Find your Climate Zone

Method: Set seedlings
Soil Temp: 18°C - 35°C
Cool Mountain: Sep - Dec
Position: Full sun
Arid: Jul - Dec
Row Spacing: 1 m
Temperate: Aug - Dec
Planting Depth: 5mm
Sub Tropical: Aug - Mar
Harvest: 90 Days
Tropical: Apr - Jul
Frost Sensitive

Preparing to Grow Chillies

Soil Requirements:

  • Texture: Loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost or aged manure.
  • pH Level: Slightly acidic (5.5–7). Test your soil and adjust with lime (to raise pH) or sulfur (to lower pH) as needed.

Sunlight:

  • Chillies require 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In hotter regions, provide afternoon shade to prevent scorching.

Temperature:

  • Optimal growth occurs between 18°C and 30°C.
  • Frost can kill chillies, so plant after frost risk is gone or protect plants with cloches or row covers.

Starting Your Chillies

Starting from Seed:

  • Seed Soaking: Soak seeds overnight in lukewarm water to improve germination.
  • Sowing Depth: Sow seeds 5 mm deep in seed-raising mix or starter pots.
  • Warmth for Germination: Maintain soil temperatures at 18–35°C using heat mats or a warm spot indoors.
  • Moisture: Mist lightly with water to keep soil moist, not soggy.
  • Germination: Takes 7–21 days.

Transplanting Seedlings:

  • Wait until seedlings develop 4–6 true leaves.
  • Harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week.
  • Space plants 1 m apart in garden beds or pots to allow airflow.

Growing Conditions and Care

Watering:

  • Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruit set.
  • Avoid waterlogging as it can cause root rot.
  • Drip irrigation is ideal for consistent moisture.

Mulching:

  • Apply organic mulch (e.g., sugarcane, straw) around plants to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.

Fertilising:

  • Before planting: Add organic compost or slow-release fertiliser to the soil.
  • During growth: Feed with liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks. Use nitrogen early for leaf growth, then switch to potassium-heavy fertilisers (like seaweed or tomato feed) to encourage flowering and fruiting.

Pest and Disease Management

Chillies are hardy, but vigilance helps prevent issues:

Common Pests:

  • Aphids & Whiteflies: Control with neem oil sprays or introduce beneficial insects (e.g., ladybugs).
  • Fruit Fly: Use fruit fly traps or fine insect netting to protect fruit.
  • Caterpillars: Pick off manually or use Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) sprays.

Diseases:

  • Powdery Mildew: Avoid overhead watering and ensure good air circulation.
  • Blossom End Rot: Linked to calcium deficiency or inconsistent watering. Mulch and feed plants with calcium-rich fertiliser.
  • See Tomato Grow Guide for a more in depth look at Blossom End Rot

Pruning and Maintenance

  • Pruning: Pinch off the first flowers to encourage bushy growth.
  • Staking: Tall varieties or heavy-bearing plants may need staking to prevent branches from breaking.
  • Weeding: Keep the base of the plants weed-free to reduce competition and pests.

Growing Chillies in Pots

For smaller gardens or urban spaces, chillies thrive in pots:

  • Use a pot at least 30cm in diameter with good drainage.
  • Fill with high-quality potting mix enriched with compost.
  • Water frequently, as pots dry out faster than garden soil.

Harvesting Chillies

  • Chillies are ready for harvest when they reach full size and their mature colour (green, red, orange, yellow, or purple, depending on the variety).
  • Use scissors or pruners to cut chillies, leaving a small stem to avoid damaging the plant.
  • Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production.

Overwintering Chillies

Chillies are perennial in warm climates. To keep plants alive in cooler regions:

  • Prune back hard after the growing season.
  • Move pots to a sunny, sheltered spot or indoors near a sunny window.
  • Reduce watering but don’t let the soil dry out completely.

Companion Planting

Chillies grow well alongside:

  • Basil: Repels pests and improves flavour.
  • Coriander & Dill: Attract beneficial insects.
  • Tomatoes: Share similar growing conditions and help maximize space.

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