Chilli growers who overwinter their plants.

[Tringa]

If you overwinter your chilli plants how do you do it?

Online there are a few videos suggesting cutting the plants back quite hard, ie to a small twiggy state, keeping them frost free and with almost no water.

I have also read any flowers(and fruit) should be removed but not the leaves. The plant should then be kept frost free, given as much light as possible and water only when the top of the soil dries out.

I have a few plants which look strong so I would like to keep them until next year if possible.

Any views welcomed.

Dave

 

[derekG]

I normally grow mine from seed under a grow light , and at the end of the year in the past I have cut them back quite hard, but they never did much the following year, now I just leave them in utility room until it warms up nearer April , but they never seem to produce as much as the first year somehow,

There seems to be a lot of conflicting advice as how best to do it with many chilli farms suggesting its not feasible , but they would wouldn't they

 

[woof woof]

Can't really help but Mrs WW grows chillis and they're better than the shop bought ones. She had some last night and her face was so red and she looked like she was going to cry

 

[Nod]

Year 2 sees a drop off in fruiting so I don't bother these days. Easier to start again from seeds than go through the hassle of finding space at the right temperature etc. and repotting in Spring. Unless you're after a particular variety, it can be fun to sow seeds from this year's crop - the results can be very variable in heat (Scoville scale) and flavour, although all fruits from the same plant will be similar in both.

 

[mj4456]

We only have one small plant, 3 years old, lives in a pot on the kitchen window ledge, last 6/8 weeks it’s had a big growth spurt, many flowers most of which have matured in chillis, surprised as I thought it would going into winter slo mo.

 

[Mr Bump]

iv'e got a mahossive Habernero looking to take it into its 3rd winter

 

[Tringa]

Thanks for the replies everyone. As the plant is attractive I'm going to give it a try and see what happens.

Cheers

Dave