The Chilli Workshop

Spicy and nice

Embark on a gastronomic journey crafting a vegetarian masterpiece – the timeless classic, vegetarian pizza. With pre-purchased pizza bases as our canvas, we blend flavours harmoniously, orchestrating a medley of tastes that delight the palate.

At the heart of our culinary creation lies the rich tapestry of tomato sauce, providing the perfect foundation for this savoury delight. Melted mozzarella embraces the pizza, creating a comforting familiarity with each gooey bite.

But the adventure doesn’t end there; it flourishes as we adorn our pizza with an array of fresh vegetables. Juicy tomatoes, vibrant bell peppers, and hearty mushrooms offer a burst of colour and flavour, elevating the pizza’s texture to new heights. Tangy onions add a delightful sweetness, while sunny kernels of sweetcorn provide a contrast of natural goodness.

For those seeking an extra kick, dashes of fiery green chillies awaken the senses, turning up the excitement with every mouthful.

Join us on this delectable adventure as we unlock the secrets to creating a pizza that embodies the artful composition of vegetarian bounty. Let your culinary creativity soar and indulge in the joy of crafting the ultimate vegetarian pizza. So, don your aprons and let the symphony of flavours begin!

Read more

Improving yields

An essential element for encouraging fruit set  is phosphorous. Phosphorus, along with nitrogen and potassium, constitutes one of the three primary nutrients that plants require for optimal growth. Its significance lies in its vital role in various plant processes, including energy transfer, photosynthesis, and the synthesis of DNA and RNA. However, when considering chilli plants and their flowering stage, phosphorus takes centre stage due to its specific importance.

During the flowering phase, chillies undergo a remarkable physiological transformation. They redirect their resources from leaf and stem development towards the production of captivating flowers, which ultimately give rise to the formation of delectable fruits. This transition necessitates an ample supply of phosphorus to support the intricate metabolic processes involved in flower initiation and development. Phosphorus acts as a key player in the biochemical reactions responsible for the formation of floral structures, including the differentiation of reproductive tissues and the generation of vibrant petals.

Furthermore, phosphorus plays a crucial role in regulating the timing and intensity of flowering in chilli plants. It influences the expression of flowering-related genes and the synthesis of floral hormones, thereby influencing the plant’s ability to undergo successful flowering.

Read more

Distorted growth

I have a batch of chilli seedlings that are not thriving as well as the others I planted at the same time. They are small and exhibit stunted growth, showing signs of various nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies include yellowing at the leaf edges (leaf margin chlorosis) and browning at the tips of the leaves. To address this issue, I have decided to conduct an experiment using a multi-pronged approach.

Considering that the stunted growth could be attributed to various factors such as seed viability, watering, lighting, pests (like aphids), and the mentioned nutrient deficiencies,I will systematically tackle each potential obstacle to promote healthier growth in these plants.

While there is not a lot I can do if the initial problem was seed viability I will do everything I can to see if it is possible to address the other potential causes

Firstly, I will ensure that the plants are free of aphids. I plan to wash them thoroughly and apply an aphid treatment to keep them aphid-free for a while.

Next, I will change the potting soil, making sure the pH falls between 5 and 6, as Chilli plants prefer slightly acidic soil. Alongside this, I will treat the seedlings’ roots with an inoculant of mycorrhizal fungi, which can enhance nutrient uptake by establishing a beneficial relationship with the plant roots. In this way, I hope that the plants will rapidly absorb the nutrients I will be feeding them and go on to recover and become healthy plants

Read more

A well rounded program

When growing Chillies from seed to fruit in one season, it’s important to establish a well-rounded fertilisation program to provide the necessary nutrients for healthy plant growth and fruit production.

In the initial stage, when planting chilli seeds, no additional fertilization is required. The seeds contain sufficient nutrients for successful germination. Plant them in seed starting pellets, such as coco coir or a fertilizer-free seed starting potting mix.

Sow your Chilli  the seeds into your seed starting medium and add water. that is all that is required.Once the seedlings have germinated and developed their first true leaves (dicotyledons), they may require additional nutrients (albeit at very low levels). However, it is important to note that the seedlings can still sustain themselves from the stored nutrition in the seed endosperm. Fertilisation during this stage is not necessary, but if desired, use a diluted fertilizer solution at reduced concentrations to provide a gentle nutrient boost.

If you decide to go this route use a liquid fertiliser with an extremely low NPK.  It should be in the region of 1-1-2.  Fertilisers like this can be bought ready mixed or made by diluting products like Chilli Focus .   Another alternative is to dilute liquid tomato feed.

Read more

The first frost

The first frost has arrived in the West Midlands. With the anticipation that it would arrive around about now, three weeks ago I brought most of my Chillies in doors. Most are in my garage under grow lights as many still must ripen fully. I also prepared a couple of my larger plants for overwintering and even turned one of my larger plants (a Fatalii) into a Bonchi. Bonchi’s are Chilli plants that have been cut in such a way that they will eventfully resemble Bonsai trees. They make great indoor ornamental plants

Overwintering Chillies is done by removing most of their foliage and pruning their stems so that the plant is placed in a position that it requires very  little nutrition to grow. It means that when the plant goes into dormancy for the winter it can stay sufficiently alive to survive the winter. When spring arrives, the plant will then break out of dormancy and have a head start in in producing Chillies in the next season.

In their natural environment (hotter climates) Chillies are perennials. Perennials are plants that do not completely die off during winter in the same way annuals do. They lose foliage and stop growing during winter but will spring back into life at the onset of summer. In the UK, however, because of the cold winters, this is not possible. Chillies cannot survive freezing and die if exposed to  the zero-degree temperatures that are often experienced in the United Kingdom during this time of the year.

Read more