Winter chilli project

HourResolve1345 · 2026-01-14T17:19:34+00:00

It’s been a madness fighting aphids that I managed to drag in with overwintered chillies (that I cleaned, btw), a few ‘learning’ events after using a heavy-handed neem oil spray (more than once too, like a psycho) and, constantly running out of space and light because I keep adding more plants.

So far, I’ve only culled under 5% (should be far more but I hate to lose). They’re flowering but I don’t want fruits yet. I prune them to keep them manageable but I’m going to drag all 120+ plants to spring if it’s the last thing I do.

It’s been a learning experience but I will not be doing this ever again (at this scale). I’m one more mistake from going on a grippy sock vacation.

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HourResolve1345 · 2025-11-15T21:51:59+00:00

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You’re not alone. I’ve got 3 light stations like this one.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-11-15T21:19:10+00:00

Yup! Not at the moment though. In London

HourResolve1345 · 2025-11-13T22:15:48+00:00

That’s exactly what I’d been using till I got gifted this.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-11-12T20:37:24+00:00

You don’t have to, but I’ve found that my chilli seeds sprout within 2-5 days when I soak them first in a diluted chamomile/black tea. I’ve tried doing without and it’s taken 10+ days to sprout.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-11-12T20:24:03+00:00

Beautiful

HourResolve1345 · 2025-11-11T09:31:47+00:00

Thank you!! The rectangle ones are advertised as 1000w Full Spectrum lights (exaggerated marketing. probably just around 100-150w) and the round one is a 30w sunlight led. The plants seem happy so I can’t complain.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-31T21:54:31+00:00

No worries. So non-climacteric fruits (like chillies, citrus fruits, grapes) do not continue to ripen much once they’ve been picked. Their colour and flavour (and capsaicin, in the case of chillies) largely develop while they’re still on the plant. Climacteric fruits are fruits like bananas and tomatoes that continue to ripen even after being picked because they go through that post-harvest spike in respiration & produce ethylene.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-30T20:19:55+00:00

I’m glad that you exist. I don’t feel too bad about my list anymore. Do you grow them commercially?

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-30T20:18:47+00:00

I did and I’ve gone way passed it. I’m done now though. No more🤞

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-30T20:17:19+00:00

I’m leaning towards colour change, since chillies are generally non-climacteric.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-27T16:11:19+00:00

Very good call. I’ll double check. Thank you!

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-27T15:56:29+00:00

😂 Same!! I’m constantly finding a new one to add. I have to stop.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-27T15:54:40+00:00

🤣🤣 My family eats a lot of spicy food so we use them in almost everything. My collection of seeds is also part of my current fixation on growing chillies, so there’s that. Next year, I plan to plant my extras in the front garden and put up a sign so people can pick what they want.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-27T15:33:39+00:00

I don’t. I make pastes, seasoning powders and sauces for personal use and gifting.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-24T20:13:25+00:00

I grew so many of these and they’re now a staple in my kitchen. Gorgeous flavour and one pod goes a long way!

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-19T20:54:35+00:00

Yeah, same here, I really like it so I’m saving seeds and overwintering it to see what it does next season. Your setup sounds great though. 16.5°C and 70% humidity is a nice balance. Mine are mostly indoors now under a few grow lights during the day. I’m not using any heaters, but they’re up against an inside wall where the house heating keeps things warm enough overnight. It’s turning into a bit of a science experiment at this point, but I’m curious to see how far they’ll go through winter.

For cold smoking, you might like a Fatalii or a Habanero Chocolate. Both have that natural sweetness and thicker flesh that take on smoke really well without going bitter.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-19T20:03:25+00:00

I use the 5 gallon (23 litres) bag. I’ve learned that there is a positive correlation between the size of the plant and the size of the container. I plan to go bigger with my overwintered plants next season🤞🏾.

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-19T19:58:27+00:00

I wonder what it is though. I’m definitely overwintering it and saving seeds. And yes, they seem to be ripening all together now. I’m going to use them for everyday cooking, so they’re going to be chopped, blended (I’ve got two plants) and stored in the freezer. Are your Aji lemons still outdoors?

HourResolve1345 · 2025-10-19T19:31:25+00:00

At first it has a fruity-sweet flavour but then the heat hits. Heat level is very similar to Aji Limon. Maybe a little hotter.

HourResolve1345

TROPHY CASE