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.
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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