Chillies 2019

Goodgrief @Webmaster - that tunnel seems to go on to infinity - makes me think of the ancient scifi show Time Tunnel! Do you eat ALL those chillis?

 

Cor they look fabulous.

 

Hi,

New member here and I have some worries about my chilli's and would appreciate some advice.

I am overwintering a young chilli plant in the UK (backstory below), but not by cutting it back - I thought it was too young, so left leaves on.

It was doing OK until a couple of weeks ago when some leaf tips started going brown, larger leaves seem to be drooping and smaller leaves are very fragile - coming off with the slightest touch. I have moved it around windowsills to get a mix of warmth and sun (currently in the warmest, but not sunniest spot) and have tried to water only when soil feels dry. It still seems to be producing some new leaves. Photos below, ignore the holes, there was a tiny slug when it was a seedling.

Any advice on what might be happening and how to keep this guy alive to fruit next year?

(Backstory - I picked some wild chilli's in Central America and brought them back to plant. They were on a ~1m high spindly bush in a mountain forest, they produce a small coffee bean like red fruit and are damn tasty. I planted about 20 seeds in the summer but only 1 grew after about 2 months in the airing cupboard. By this point it was September so no chance for fruit this year, but the plant was only 6 inches tall so also I didn't think I could over winter as described in the books by cutting it back etc. I don't have any more seeds so would really like this guy to survive just so I can get some more.)

 

Hi @Mike890 welcome to the forums

You're right don't cut it back. Is it standing in water at all? Chillies don't like that. It's best to keep it on the dry side, especially this time of year. I water mine when the leaves start drooping but not too much so they don't sit in water.With mine this time of year some of the leaves fall off.
What part of the UK do you live?

 

@Mike890 I use capillary watering for my plants so they consistently and constantly get to drink. They are not a succulent so they need their water.

 

Forgot to mention that I just started my seeds for this coming October 2020's harvest. Slow growers!

 

I don't use capillary matting for mine and they don't need water all the time, have to let the soil dry out a bit before each watering, they don't like standing in water all the time.

 

Thanks guys. I’m on the south coast, so about as warm as it can be

I’ll try to water a bit less and from the bottom.

It doesn’t sit in water, but has probably been more on then damp side then just moist to the touch.

 

That's ok,anytime have a good Sunday.