FAQs

Chilli FAQs

Q: Can I grow chillies outside?

A: You can move chillies outside once the risk of frost has passed, however doing so will make it harder to control environmental factors such as watering. Certain slower fruiting chilli varieties such as habanero will require a more heat and light to encourage chilli fruit so are best kept inside.

Q: Can I grow chillies in a conservatory?

A: A conservatory is perfect for growing chillies, the protected environment will help simulate the natural growing conditions needed for the chillies and will put you in complete control of the plants environment. The main issue you may have is an increase in water consumption due to the higher temperature.

Q: How do I control pests?

A: You may see a few white flies gathered around the shoot tips or on young leaves. These are aphids and can be deterred by spraying a mild mix of dish soap and water to the infected areas. Repeat every 2-3 days for 2 weeks.

Q: What's the hottest chilli in the world?

A: The Carolina Reaper currently holds the record for the worlds hottest chilli, weighing in at 2.2 million scoville units.

Q: Why do the leaves keep falling off my chilli plant?

A: If the lower leaves are turning yellow or falling off, this is a sign of over watering. The soil should always be moist but never waterlogged. If the top leaves start to fall off this could be down to a lack of nutrients reaching the top of the plant (this is usually due to under-watering).

Q: When should I harvest my chillies?

A: You can harvest chillies when they are green or red, however there are some varieties that will not turn red in the UK climate.