[surbie100]

My Chenzo chillies' branches are beginning to bend from the number of fruit. There are about 70-80 fruits on each plant, with about 3 branches per plant.

I haven't grown chillies before, do they need some form of support?

They live on a breezy NE facing balcony, about 30ft up.

[JayG]

You've done very well to get such a good crop from a slightly unpromising-sounding location - a short cane or two and a bit of tying-in will do the trick.

[agapanthus]

Well done you for getting such a good crop!!!! 

[surbie100]

Thank you! Am faintly stunned at how many the plants have produced, given where they are. I was expecting a lot less. Will try stakes at an angle, as the branches extend way past the pot.

Chilli jelly this year I think! 

[compostqueen]

You can freeze them too 

Mind you by the sound of things they probably are already 

[Grubbypaws]

can you really freeze chillies? We are forced to have padron tapas peppers EVERYDAY just to keep up  much as I love them having a break would be nice but I dont want to waste them!

[Lawrence]

Yes you can freeze them, although they do soften on defrosting.
I usually chop them up small for curries or salsas or Pizza topping, so it doesnt matter.
Just out of interest, how big did your Padrons get? mine are only about a half inch long at the moment

[shokkyy]

I chuck all my chillis in a dish on the windowsill and leave them to dry. Once they're dried you can convert some into chilli powder or chilli flakes if you want to, or just leave them whole. When they're dry they're nice and easy to chop up when you want to use them, with no juice to worry about getting in your eyes, and as long as you keep them dry they'll keep for a very long time.

[Grubbypaws]

Yes you can freeze them, although they do soften on defrosting.
I usually chop them up small for curries or salsas or Pizza topping, so it doesnt matter.
Just out of interest, how big did your Padrons get? mine are only about a half inch long at the moment

i have picked them at 2" as i read that they get pretty hot if you leave them to grow. We have been pretty much inundated. I germinated them in my propagator and because of the horrid summer they have stayed there with their bottoms gently heated. They seem to love it!

[surbie100]

Had the first Chenzo today - fiery and delicious!!
239 to go...
Giddy chilli happiness!