[OB]

Hi All,

My first year at growing chillies (Hot Stuff) which are inside in my conservatory. I have one plant that has some fruit on it of good size but they are still green. Even after the decent sunshine of the last week or so they don't show any signs of changing colour. Do all chillies change colour from green when ripening or do some simply stay green when ripe? I've tried one which had good heat and flavour so I don't know if I should harvest or not? I don't want to waste them. The packet says a selection of colourful fruits but the fruit on all four plants I have grown are green even this advanced one. Thoughts please........................

OB

[richyrich7]

As far as I know they are like sweet peppers you can eat them at any stage from green to red they just get hotter.

[gobs]

... and it's anybody's guess if they will ripen, too many variables from weather to variety, etc.

But, it's end of September, whatever colour they are, they might be safer on your window sill now, wether they change colour or not, does not matter, you can have them, if you save them from slugs and other misery.

[richardwil]

Hi

My Joes Long Chillies are ripening well and they were started early in the house and grown on in the greenhouse. I have green and red chillies on the same plants and harvest when red. I like to dry my chillies until they are leathery then they keep well and are easy to cook with. I started growing these in early March. I have some Habenaro  and Thai chillies which are still green (and small) and I started these off in mid to late April so they have not had as long to grow.

I would just leave the chillies until they start to turn red. You can eat them green but red is usually hotter.

If they turn red and you want to dry them leave them on the plants as long as possible until they start to dry naturally, then cut them off with the stalk attached.  Removing the stalk allows infection to get inside and by leaving it on it acts as a wick and helps draw out more moisture.

There is still time so just wait - then enjoy. If you start sweating before the fork reaches your mouth - it's hot enough.

Cheers

[agapanthus]

I agree with Richard...also they store better when they are red. Perhaps next time you grow them you should start them earlier if possible? They need a long growing period....I try and start mine off late January

[cawdor2001]

mine are only just ripening.  I am going to 'prune' the plants this year and keep them over winter so they are already established for an early start next year.

Cawdor

[gobs]

Sorry, I missed they were in the conservatory. :oops:

There you have a chance with them, but I harvest mine all summer as and when needed, from when the fruits are filled out enough. For plenty of reasons, a couple being that they are good and the plants will keep producing more.

[OB]

Okay I will leave them longer and see what happens, the conservatory gets pretty warm when the sun is on it so i'll keep my fingers crossed for some colour to appear...........

Thanks

[Fat Hen]

I was still picking ripe chillis at Christmas last year so bags of time yet.  Most of mine are still flowering and setting fruit & hopefully will continue for some time.