Growing Green Chillies in Pots (Mirchi) – A Full Guide

Growing Green Chillies in Pots (Mirchi) – A Full Guide

Introduction: Hello gardeners today we have a great information of growing green chillies in pots. The key to successfully growing a chillie plant in pots is to ensure it gets plenty of light, heat, moisture, and humidity. Chillies grow well in containers but they do have some specific needs.

A step by step guide to growing green chillies in pots

All types of chillies perform well in pots and require the some care. Green chillies (Capsicum annuum) are red chillies but that are harvested before they turn red. These peppers are more often referred to as green chillies and come in several varieties that vary in pungency from mild to very hot.

Container and soil for growing green chillies in pots

Choosing the right pot is a very important element of growing a plant to its full capacity. A 16 to 18 inches pot would be ideal for growing chillies, or you can even use a container of similar dimensions. Once the chillie seeds have germinated in the seed tray, pick out the saplings and plant them separately in pots.

The container should have drainage holes in the bottom since green chillies don’t like to sit in standing water. They produce best in premium, well-draining potting mix mixed with about 3 inches of aged compost. Each plant should have its container, and they must be planted at the same depth as the seedlings were in their containers. And cover the soil surface with a 2-inch layer of wood chip mulch to conserve moisture.

Temperature and sunlight requirements for growing green chillies

Green chillies grow best in temperatures between 70 and 85°F. When temperatures are outside of this range, the chillies tend to drop their flowers. They require full sunlight for the best growth.

The growing process of green chillies in pots

Plant a few seeds in the pot

Sprinkle two or three Green chillie seeds onto the soil in the seed starter cell. This will ensure success even if some of the seeds don’t germinate and cover the seeds with a thin layer of extra potting soil or compost.

Indoors, you may have better luck growing smaller Green chillie varieties, such as habaneros, cayenne peppers, and pequins.

Water the seeds and keep the soil moist

Once the chillie seeds have been planted, water the soil. This will ensure good seed to soil contact and encourage the germination process. As the seeds germinate over the next 2 to 4 weeks, keep the soil moist, but not soggy, as the seeds germinate and sprout.

Plant the chillie seeds at the end of winter for the best results. Most people start their chillie seeds indoors at the end of March as it begins to turn warm, or you can wait until April. It’s best if the seeds start indoors so that the plant obtains a head start before you plant it outdoors.

Chillies don’t do well in frost, which is why it’s important to wait until the threat of frost has completely passed for the season before you plant them outside. It takes the seeds 2 to 4 months to grow and produce fruit, which is why it’s important to start early.

Fill a seedling tray with fertile potting soil

Choose a nutrient-rich potting soil from the local garden store and fill each cell of a seedling tray with the soil. Fill the cells roughly three-fourths of the way full with the potting soil, and make sure the cells have holes at the bottom for drainage.

Seedling trays are perfect for sowing seeds as you can fill each 1 in (2.5 cm) cell with individual seeds and monitor their growth simply. Look for a chillie seed starter soil blend, if desired.

Transfer the plant to a larger pot or container once the seedlings are 4 cm (1.6 in) tall. An 8 to 10 in (20–25 cm) pot works best, though you can use one that’s a bit smaller and transfer the plant again later on if needed. When you move the plant to the larger pot, add in some fresh soil and water the soil well once you are finished. It should take roughly one month for the seedlings to grow tall enough to be transplanted. Feel free to put this pot outdoors instead of just inside the house.

Make sure the pot has an excellent drainage

One way to help ensure the water drains well is to sprinkle coarse gravel at the bottom of the pot or container. This makes it easier for the water to drain out and the pot’s drainage holes won’t get clogged with soil as simply. Always check the pot to make sure it has adequate holes for draining. If you’re setting the plant indoors on a table or windowsill, put a dish or tray underneath the pot to catch any excess water.

• Sow the seeds into a seed starting tray and they must be covered with 5 mm of compost or garden earth.
• Chillies will germinate within one to three weeks, depending on the variety and climate conditions. A good practice is to sow three seeds together to raise the chances of germination.
• If all seeds germinate, you’ll want to pull out the weaker plants.
• When your Chillies seedlings have two pairs of leaves, you can move them to their final container or pot.
• The container must be medium to large. If you live in a warm area, you can sow the seeds directly to the container.
• Set them 5 to 10 cm apart and make sure they will receive enough water (it may filter quickly to the bottom of the pot).
• Fertilize seedlings immediately after transplanting them using a liquid fertilizer. Select a fertilizer that contains both nitrogen and phosphorus to promote healthy growth in seedlings.
• Water your green chillie seedlings twice a week throughout the growing season to keep the soil moist to a depth of several inches. During periods of particularly dry or hot weather, you could need to water your seedlings more frequently.
• Apply a second dose of liquid fertilizer about 4 weeks after transplanting your seedlings. Check your Green chillies daily for pests. Insect pests that generally affect green chillies include aphids, cutworms, and whiteflies. Remove large insect pests by hand and cut off badly damaged plant leaves or branches.
• Mix 2 tablespoons cooking oil and 2 tablespoons of baby shampoo with 1 gallon of water to create your homemade pesticide. Spray this mixture lightly over your chillie plants to repel aphids, whiteflies, and other insect pests. When applying this pesticide, be sure to treat both sides of the plant leaves.
• Harvest your green chillie peppers when they are firm and glossy. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut the chillies off the plant, leaving about an inch of the stem attached.

Water and fertilizer requirements for growing green chillies in pots

Green chillie plants need regular fertilization with a water-soluble, all-purpose fertilizer such as 8-4-4 mixed at a rate of 1 tablespoon in 1 gallon of water. Use this fertilizer solution in place of one watering. Carefully apply it at planting time, then once a week or every other week. Use enough of the solution so it drips through the bottom of the pot or container. Water the chillies deeply when the soil feels dry at a depth of 1 inch. And avoid over-watering to prevent root rot. If your plants grow too tall or become leggy, use a tomato cage or stakes and twine to support the chillie plant, but insert the support along the inside edge of the pot to avoid root damage.

Pest control in Green chillie plants

Aphids are a common pest of Green chillie, and they’re identifiable by their tiny, soft bodies that range in color from cream and yellow to green and brown. They generally cluster on the undersides of leaves and sometimes leave a sticky residue on the plant known as honeydew. To control them, spray all parts of the chillie plant with a pre-mixed insecticidal soap to the point of dripping once a week. Do this in the morning so the soap doesn’t dry too quickly during the heat of the day and stop applying it once the pests are gone.

• Soak chillie seeds overnight in warm water before planting or gently sandwich between damp kitchen roll, put in a plastic bag and leave in the airing cupboard for a couple of days to improve germination.
• Green chillie seeds love hot weather so; grow in a greenhouse or even in a pot on the kitchen window sill for a bit of extra heat to your chillie plants.
• Sow Green chillie seeds as early as possible (January or February for the hot varieties).
• Ideally, sow chillie seeds at a temperature of between 18 to 21°C (65-70°F).
• Sow seeds in small pots and shallow (about 5mm deep). Transfer to a larger pot or container when two leaves have developed, try not to touch the forming roots when re-potting to prevent accidental damage.
• Water regularly but doesn’t allow the soil to become waterlogged. And cover the seed tray with Vermiculite, it helps with water and heat retention, both of which the chillie seeds love.
• If planting seedlings outside gradually harden the seedlings off for 10 to 14 days (leave outside during the day and bring in overnight).
• Feed with a Green chillie feed or seaweed extract.

Taking care of your chillie plant

• Provide plenty of light and water to your chillie plant.
• They are warm-weather plants and protect them from low temperatures.
• The fruit that is exposed to harsh sunlight can decolorize on the exposed surface. You can move the pot to another area at noon, or you can place them close to other plants so they shade each other.
• They are very hardy, but you should protect them from extreme wind, rain, and hail.

Feeding tips for growing green chillies

A high potassium or potash (K) feed is excellent for fruiting chillies (The potassium will help them fruit). You can make own feed from comfrey leaves or use a tomato feed. If you can use tomato feed, use slightly lower concentrations than suggested for tomatoes.

After heavily harvesting chillies, a balanced liquid feed (one with equal N, P, and K – see the side of the bottle) can help it to recover and put on new growth.

Harvesting green chillies

Green chillies typically mature fully between 75 and 80 days. When you harvest chillies, wear gloves to protect your hands from the spicy oils. Snip off the chillies at its stem with a pair of scissors or pruning shears to avoid tearing the plant. Disinfect the scissors or pruning shears by dipping in isopropyl alcohol and allowing them to air-dry before cutting. Wash the chillies before eating them.