[Philip King]

Hello all,

This is my first post.

I want to grow a selection of hot chillies on my allotment plot in 2010.

I already have seedlings of the slow growing, (requiring a long season) Chinensis varieties indoors in preparation!

I intend to grow in small poly tunnels containing specific varieties. e.g.

1) Naga Jokokia, Habenero, Scotch bonnets (of the Capsicum Chinensis varieties).

2) Cayenne, Tabasco, Chenzo & NuMex varieties (Capsicum Annum).

With the idea in mind of saving seed stock for the following year, How do I best avoid cross pollination?  Can the Chinensis hybridise with the Annum or Frutescence Vaireties?

I lack the space to grow each variety in total isolation.

Many Thanks,
Philip King

[gillie]

Hi,

The Real Seed Catalogue http://www.realseeds.co.uk/ suggests that you should keep chillies in isolation cages (made from net curtains or the like) if you wish to save seed.  It also gives a list of useful books on seed saving.

Cheers,

Gillie

p.s. have you come across a Szechuan chilli called 'Facing Heaven?'

[Lardman]

If it for you own use and you don't need 1001 seeds then a couple of clear plastic bags over the flower secured with a rubber band before it opens will do.

I did see on the web a while back someone had dipped the flower head in copdex (or similar rubber solution glue) before it opens. that creates a physical barrier and it pollinates itself when ready.

Personally I really wouldn't worry about cross pollination.

[Philip King]

Thank you both for your advice.

I will try the polythene bag method, as I only require a small qty of seeds The copydex idea is a novel one though, I'll have to try it.
I had never heard of the 'Facing Heaven' chilli before but there is a picture of it on wikipedia, I do not know anyware to obtain plants or seeds, but it looks interesting.

Does this site operate or encourage a community/freely shared seed bank amongst members where people can swap seeds or has some silly E.U. regulation made this unacceptable?

Thank you all,
Regards,
Phil.

[jb]

Thank you both for your advice.

I will try the polythene bag method, as I only require a small qty of seeds The copydex idea is a novel one though, I'll have to try it.
I had never heard of the 'Facing Heaven' chilli before but there is a picture of it on wikipedia, I do not know anyware to obtain plants or seeds, but it looks interesting.

Does this site operate or encourage a community/freely shared seed bank amongst members where people can swap seeds or has some silly E.U. regulation made this unacceptable?

Thank you all,
Regards,
Phil.

Yup, see Swap Shop section of the forums, admittedly it is currently dominated by chickens but earlier this year I swapped some chilli seeds, good way of getting different seeds for the price of a stamp  .

[Philip King]

Excellent news, many thank JB,
Regards,
Phil