Chilli Serrano

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.