Chilli plant

[scottpetrie]

Hi
I have chilli plants growing in my windowsill in pots. Some 2 to a pot & some single. They have all been growing fine, and recently they have all produced plenty of flowers and some have started producing fruit. But, since they have started to produce actual chillis its like the plants have gone into slow motion. Any ideas on whats changed?

 

[EddieM]

Chillies like a good stable heat, no lower than 20 C, kept moist, check carefully for very fine webs (red spider mite).

 

[scottpetrie]

Theyve been on that windowsill for months now, no issues. Just seems since they started producing fruit they have really slowed down. Do they need extra feed/water whilst they are producing fruit? Maybe the temperature is slightly colder during the night now?

 

[EddieM]

Theyve been on that windowsill for months now, no issues. Just seems since they started producing fruit they have really slowed down. Do they need extra feed/water whilst they are producing fruit? Maybe the temperature is slightly colder during the night now?

Yep, probably getting cold overnight. They shouldn't need feeding now.

 

[scottpetrie]

Okay so should I move them or will they just grow a bit slower now

 

[EddieM]

They'll just slow down a bit.

 

[conny]

Would putting a plastic cloche type of thing help retain any day time heat?

 

[JohnD]

Any ideas on whats changed?

Day length.

Not enough sun.

 

[endecotp]

Chillis are annuals (like tomatoes). Expect to harvest the fruits and then it will die. Plant new ones next year.

If it’s in danger of dying before you have got fruits, yes try to keep it warm i.e. choose the sunniest windowsill, maybe a plastic lid overnight etc. It may not help though.

I’ve generally found that I get lots of flowers but relatively few develop to fruits before the conditions have got too cold. (I”m in Edinburgh). I think starting them early enough in the spring is probably the important thing. Maybe some varieties are better suited to a shorter season. Same with tomatoes - I started too late this year (obvious reasons) and now I have plenty of green fruit that may never ripen.

See also:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetables/chilli-pepper