Peppers, Chillis and Corriander

Fredula

Hello, I'm moving house on Wednesday (out of my parents house and into our new little home with my hubby and son) and was looking for a couple of tips on growing the things we eat most.

I've never really grown anything before, so I'm a complete beginner so if my questions sound silly, please don't laugh :P

We always eat chilli and peppers. Next time we eat some, if I save the seeds and plant them, will they grow? Or do I need to buy a special type of seed. Also, we don't have a greenhouse - only a shed with no windows. Would I be able to grow them on the kitchen windowsill?

Likewise, corriander - never grown that before. I'm not really after the seeds, just the leafy stuff. Is it just a case of get a packet and pour into a pot with soil?

Leif

Regarding peppers and chillis, you do not want to plant seeds from ones you ate for dinner as you do not know what they are. If they are F1 hybrids they will not come true. Even if not F1, they are probably a strain suited for the country of origin e.g. Spain. Buy seeds from a reputable supplier such as Real Seeds, or Simpsons Seeds. Real Seeds are fantastic, but the selection is limited. Other good suppliers are available.

You can grow chillis on a windowsill, but not really peppers due to size. There are 5 commonly cultivated pepper species: Capsicum annuum (the commonest), C. chinense (Scotch Bonnet etc), C. frutescens (Tabasco etc), C. pubescens (Rocoto etc) and C. baccatum. All grow on a windowsill, but choose smaller varieties. East and West facing windows are best, South less so as the sun gets too high. Germinate seeds at ~21C in February or March. You may find that the plant causes condensation and mould on the window and frame nearby, as there will be so much foliage. I once had a Tabasco on a windowsill, that was 5 feet tall, and I regularly chopped a foot off the top to control it. There were loads of chillis.

Cayenne is a nice tasty easy chilli to grow. Pick green, and slice into salted vinegar, makes a nice condiment with food.

You can get smaller varieties which might be best for starters. I tried Aji Pulsar from Simpsons Seeds, quite a small plant, slightly odd flowery flavour to the chillis though.

dogstarheaven

if you were to start chilli seed off, you need temp. at least 25-28˙C for a successful germination (most chillis prefer this but some will go higher than this). Most chilli fans have started theirs off in Jan. tho' there's still time to sow now. If you haven't a thermostat controlled propagator then put you seeds in a pot or tray and have it sat on a radiator. They should come up in about 5-7 days. Unsure that they're in a brightly lit room (or not too dark).

Leif

21C is fine for germinating chillis. Too hot and the germination rate drops. C. annuum will germinate in 5-7 days, other species can take 1 to 4 weeks or more, depending on the freshness of the seeds.

forgotmyname

I started mine off in December 2 years ago. They did well.

Not as hot as i had expected them to be. But thats because i didnt stress them... Cut back on the watering a little and get the heat up.. Seems to stress the plants and the create hotter peppers.

I have grown bell peppers from shop bought ones. Do you want this type or sweet peppers or hot ones?

Demon Red. Small bushy type plant with LOTS... of small 1" or so peppers and they were HOT!!!. Nice compact plant not a tall one so ideal for a sunny windowsill. Maybe a small propogator lid to help trap the heat?

Also if you look after it and keep away from the frosts it will last for years. Not starting again from scratch.

annie123

I wouldn't bother with sowing chilli seeds this year, you'll have more than enough to do moving home, especially with little ones.
Next month onwards garden centres/homebase/b&q etc will have little chilli/sweet pepper plants in. I'd buy some and spend the year learning how to look after them.
http://www.thechilliking.com/growing/growing-chilli-peppers-guide/

Coriander can also be bought in a pot to start with and when you're in and settled then sow some seeds as per the packet instructions. It does have a tendency to run to seed so you'll get plenty of practice over the summer.
http://www.herbexpert.co.uk/growingcoriander.html

Spend this year learning about your garden, where's sunny, shady, wet, dry, lots of slugs and snails? etc Look out of the 1st floor windows at your neighbour's gardens and see what they grow. If anyone grows fruit and veg, get to know them

If you're planing on being in this place a while I'd give some thought to growing fruit. Expensive to buy and can be easy to grow eg autumn raspberries.