Chilli peppers can be started off from seed sown indoors from late winter until the middle of spring. Fill a 10cm (4in) pot with good quality seed compost, flatten it down to leave a level surface, then sow a few seeds on top. Most seeds will germinate, so only sow a few more than you need in case of losses. Cover with a fine layer of vermiculite, pop in a plant label and water.
Seeds will germinate quickly in a heated propagator, but don’t worry if you don’t have one. Simply place a clear plastic freezer bag over the top of the pot and hold securely in place with an elastic band.
After the seeds have germinated, remove the pot from the propagator and place on a light windowsill or on the bench in a heated greenhouse. When they are 2.5cm (1in) tall prick out seedlings, moving each into their own 10cm (4in) pot. Make sure the roots are well covered and the leaves are just above the surface of the compost. Water and place in a light spot indoors.
If you forget to sow seeds, or lack the necessary warm, bright place to raise good plants, then buy young plants from garden centres in late spring.
While plants are still growing indoors, move into 13cm (5in) pots filled with general purpose compost when roots begin to show through the drainage holes in the base.
When plants are about 20cm (8in) tall, or before if they start to lean, stake with a pea stick.
Pinch out the tops of peppers when they are about 30cm (12in) tall to encourage lots of branches.
Plants are ready to go outside in late May or when all danger of frost has passed. Either plant directly into the ground, spacing them 18in apart or transfer them to 22.5cm (9in) pots to give them plenty of space to grow – remove the small pea stick and cover with fleece or cloches. Alternatively, you can plant three chilli peppers in a standard growing bag. Three short sticks wit strings will eventually e required to support taller cultivars.
For a bumper crop make sure you water regularly, especially in hot weather and feed every two weeks with a general purpose liquid fertiliser. Feeding should start when the flowers first appear, usually while plants are still indoors, and should continue until the fruit have been harvested.
Chilli peppers are generally ready for harvesting from July and can be removed from plants with a sharp knife or secateurs – picking fruit regularly will ensure the plant puts its energy into producing more fruit.
Ones left to ripen to a pleasing and flavoursome red colour will suppress more fruit production, but cannot be avoided for best colour and flavour, and for the best fruits for drying.
'Etna' AGM: The tiny red peppers held in upright bunches boast a volcanic heat.
'Habanero'’ AGM: Blocky green fruit that ripen to orange.
'Meek and Mild': Large, heart-shaped bottle green fruit that have a mild taste.
'Aji Crystal': Pick fruit when they are yellow and under ripe for their citrus-like kick.
'Cayenne': Very fiery, slender red peppers.
Aphids: These pests are mainly attracted to new leaves. Colonies of green or black insects suck sap from leaves and stems and excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which then often attracts black sooty moulds to grow. In most cases the damage can be tolerated.
Remedy: Use your finger and thumb to squash aphid colonies. In most cases you won’t need to spray, but you could use pyrethrum, plant or fish oils or thiacloprid.
More information on aphids
Whitefly: This tiny sap-sucking insect will fly up when the leaves are disturbed. It creates a sticky substance, known as honeydew, which acts as a host to sooty mould.
Remedy: Sprays containing fatty acids are effective both indoors and outdoors. Under glass, use a biological control – Encarsia formosa is a tiny parasitic wasp that controls the pest. Alternatively use a suitable pesticide.
More information on whitefly
Botrytis: This fungal disease, also known as grey mould, causes fruit to rot in cool or wet weather. It is a particular problem in glasshouses, where humidity is often high.
Remedy: Prevent the disease from occurring by ensuring that glasshouses are well ventilated and that there is plenty of space around plants. Speedy removal of diseased material reduces damage.
More information on botrytis