Chillies 2021

I don't think that is warm enough, I'd say 10 absolute minimum, but see what others say.

 

I've kept plants in the polytunnel over winter at just above freezing, but as JWK says, the plants are not as good the second year. Not worth the space and effort to keep them going.

 

I don't have any experience of overwintering ( will maybe try with the stronger of my habaneros after this season, keeping it indoors by a window absent a greenhouse)... but anecdotally I have heard from others that capsicum annum varieties overwinter less well than other types, and that it is a bit hit and miss in general.

 

I had a fairly poor year last year because the season didn't last long enough for my weird, new, chocolate douglah/devil's tongue plant to fruit. So I tried to overwintering it and spider mites gave them a beating but they have somehow survived with the use of spinosad and TLC.

Here is a pic of them this minute...



Got my fingers crossed that this year will give me fruit and it will be an interesting blend

 

I overwintered these inside so that may be a misleading post but... why can't you bring one in? Chillies will bear the cold down to 10c but they drop their blossoms for sure at 4c. And they are unhappy in the cold. No growth, no flowers. Look up where tney originate and you will find out why.

Chillies = pamper.

My climate is much harsher so perhaps I'm comparing apples to oranges

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Was thinking that by keeping them dormant over the winter, they will give a head start in the spring, being more advanced than seedlings.

I may try one or two of the more unusual varieties that I have. And see what happens with those. My windowsills are chocca with tender ferns. But I could possibly squeeze in a chilli or two.

Will bin the annum types, as I have also read these fair the poorest in winter. And they seem easy enough to replace in the spring.

 

Next question.....

My Prairie Fire seems to have bud drop.
The buds develop to almost opening stage and then go brown and fall off.
There are 3 other types of Chillies next to it on the greenhouse bench, that aren't having this problem.
All in the same potting soil. All watered the same (including a once a week tomotorite feed), all get the same light/ sun etc.

Any ideas??

 

Sirius, someone else more knowledgeable will hopefully respond soon, but the only thing I can think is heat stress, depending on the others you are growing ( with the v strong sun it may be that the prairie fire is in a particularly hot/unshaded spot on the bench , or (maybe?) because its a small chilli you have it in a smaller pot on the bench than others , so more prone to drying out ? Just guesses from me, i'm surprised how much water mine seem to need in this weather , regardless of indoors or out. ( no greenhouse).

 

They are all in the same size pots

But if I remember correctly, the whole chilli selection was on one of those multi shelved racks. So the Prairie Fire could have been heavily shaded.

The weather is turning from this evening. With a few cloudy days forecast.
Perhaps this will make a difference ??

 

i was actually thinking the opposite ( that prairie fire might be scorched from sun by being unshaded , not being too shaded). Anyhow , i have to think a greenhouse would have been up towards 40 degrees unless very ventilated and shaded these last days so hopefully a bit of cloud cover will help. Otherwise I'm stumped and will wait for the experts to opine! Sorry!

 

That's what I meant
It's gone from shaded at the garden centre to sunny in my greenhouse

 

Oh i see i thought you were describing your greenhouse set-up -- my mistake!