Do green chillis always go red?

katyk_2

Hi

I have been growing chilli peppers in my greenhouse (first year of having one) and have absolutely heaps but all are dark green. Needless to say being the professional i am I no longer have the packet the seeds came in and my question is this - if I leave them will they eventually go red or will hey simply go past it and wilt. Would not want them wasted but had really hoped to make more sweet chilli jelly as part of xmas parcels and, although you can make it with green (tried both last year), the red is vastly superior and looks absolutely super to boot.

Thanks Katyk

Davesnave

Yes they will go red, so if you have a greenhouse and don't live in Siberia, you should get another couple of months ripening yet.

Next year, plant earlier and use a quickly maturing variety. Some of my 'Wenk's Yellow Hots' from Real Seeds were ready in late July, though they went red, not yellow. 'Cayenne' were also quick, if a bit boring.

katyk_2

:DThanks - next question is can I use the seeds out of one of the chilli peppers to grow more and, if so, would they grow over winter if I planted some now for example on the kitchen windowsill? At 150g of chilli per time, and a lot of wee jars of the jelly to make (150g will make 3-4 jars), I could do with having even more than are currently growing.

alanobrien

Yes providing its not an F1 hybrid like Joe's Long for instance.

F1 (from Answers.com) = A first-generation offspring of two plants of closely related species or strains. (The “F” stands for “filial.”) The resulting plants are usually more vigorous than either parent and have other qualities that are considered more desirable. However, the seeds produced by an F1 hybrid will rarely produce plants of comparable value.

You could get some to grow over winter but i doubt you will get good results without additional heat and light. Chilli's do like a long growing season.

cootambear

i always wonder why people grow chillies when you can get a bucketload from an asian grocer for a few bob.

bajangal

katyk wrote: »

Hi

- if I leave them will they eventually go red
Thanks Katyk

Not necessarily. Some chillies go red and some chillies stay green. Depends on which ones you planted.

Davesnave

cootambear wrote: »

i always wonder why people grow chillies when you can get a bucketload from an asian grocer for a few bob.

For you, the Asian shop is obviously the best choice then.

Next...

bajangal

cootambear wrote: »

i always wonder why people grow chillies when you can get a bucketload from an asian grocer for a few bob.

That may well be the case, but we don't all live near Asian grocers (I certainly don't), and it's a buzz to grow your own.

cootambear

Davesnave wrote: »

For you, the Asian shop is obviously the best choice then.

Next...

Next what?

misspenny

if the greenhouse starts to get too cold, is the plant small enough to bring into the house on a sunny windowsill? I have one covered in chillis just hoping they ripen before it get to cold as the plant is so big i dont think it'll go back out of the greenhouse door

Davesnave

cootambear wrote: »

Next what?

Next comment, relevant to the question, which in will be to say that some people reckon green chillis that are semi-ripe taste better than the red ones, where heat may overpower flavour. The OP doesn't think so though, but I guess a lot depends on the variety.

I've not known any chilli that's stayed green if left long enough. Some of mine are purple, but when I'm not looking they turn red.
One of these is a variety called Orozco, which still seems quite rare. I'm also growing a Citrus Aji, which seems to be turning yellow as it matures, rather than red, but it's a bit early to tell.