Last year I planted the seeds nice and early but was then stuck with a mass of rapidly growing seedlings and nowhere for them to go until the greenhouse was built.
This year I've left it a little later to plant the seeds and I'll keep them well away from the overwintered chillies to avoid transmitting aphids to the new seedlings when they arrive.
As for the overwintered plants, most have succumbed to mould. I didn't get round to installing the planned passive solar system in time for winter and the greenhouse has been quite damp. I'll get the heating sorted in time for the new seedlings but last year's stock has effectively been written off.
I've opted for 16 different varieties this year, a mixture of old favourites and some new superhots. I've using Growth Technology Root Riot cubes this year to see how they perform. Although more expensive than seed trays or jiffy pellets, with fewer seeds to plant the expense is less important than the germination and survival rate.
So here are this year's contenders...
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| Kashmiri Mirch, Chocolate Scotch Bonnet, Jay's Peach Ghost Scorpion, Trinidad 7 Pot Brown |
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| Black Naga, Peach Bhut Jolokia, Hot Lemon, Paper Lantern |
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| Moruglah F2, White Bhut Jolokia, Joe's Long Cayenne, Twilight (this year's Chilli Challenge seeds) |
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| Chocolate Habanero, Fatalli, Naga Morich, Bubblegum 7 Pot |
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| The heated propagators are up and running, the lights will come in to play once the seedlings start sprouting. |
