Chili plants do best in warmer climates. If you overwinter it properly, you can get something from the plant for more than just one season.
In general, chili plants like it particularly warm. This means that they are endangered even with a light frost. So if you grow chili yourself, then note the following tips:
➭ Above 14 degrees Celsius, plants and fruits grow more slowly.
➭ If temperatures fall below 13 degrees Celsius, certain chili plants die.
➭ Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius cause the leaves to wilt .
➭ At temperatures below 8 degrees, even chillies that can handle a little cold will wither.
Fortunately, there are several methods for overwintering chillies that are relatively easy to implement.
Can chillies be left to overwinter outside?
Under the right conditions, it is possible to let chillies overwinter outside. This works particularly well in a heated greenhouse. The necessary temperature can always be set here so that the chillies receive exactly the heat they need for the winter.
This is how chillies are overwintered in a pot
Probably the easiest way to let chillies grow and then overwinter is to put them in pots. You can set it up outside as long as the temperatures are bearable. If these fall, you can simply bring the pot into the apartment during the cold period. That means he moves into the apartment regularly when the temperature outside falls below ten degrees Celsius for a long time. The ideal location for chili plants is then very bright and has a temperature between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. It can also be a little warmer, but not permanently above 20 degrees Celsius.
During the winter period, the chili plant will not develop any fruit if it is wintered cold. The advantage: during this time she gathers strength for the next season. If you don't want to do without fresh chillies in winter, the plants should be exposed to constant temperatures of up to 20 degrees Celsius.
Proper care during winter
In order for the chilli plant to survive the winter unscathed, it is important to give it the right care. Thenespecially when it comes to infestation with spider mites, they are not protected even in winter. Therefore, the following tips should be heeded when it comes to caring for the chili plant during the winter:
❍ Earth:
The soil in the pot should be dry when you bring the plant indoors. Otherwise you risk mold growth.
❍ casting:
If you overwinter the chillies cool, it is important that you water them regularly, but less. Ideally, the soil should remain dry to slightly moist.
In the case of a warmer hibernation, however, regular watering is essential. You should also spray the plant to ensure a humidity level of 50 percent.
❍ Cut:
Dried or dead plant parts are regularly collected and removed. In the case of a warm hibernation, the right cut is only made in the spring. On the other hand, if the plant is overwintered in the cold, it is pruned before it is brought in.
❍ Control:
It is advisable to regularly check the plant for pests. It is particularly sensitive to aphids and spider mites during winter.
Preparing for Summer
In addition to the right care in winter, preparation for the warmer season is also part of this before the chili plant is put back in the garden. A distinction is made again according to the type of hibernation:
• Cool hibernation:
In the case of a cold hibernation, it makes sense to place the chili plant in a slightly warmer location from around mid-February to early March and to plant it to water more regularly.
• Warm winter period:
On the other hand, if the plant has been warm wintered, it is necessary to give it the necessary spring pruning before putting it outside. To do this, remove the old fruits and cut the branches by about five to ten centimetres.
It can also be advisable to repot the chilli plant beforehand. In this way, the plant has the best conditions to bear plenty of fruit again in summer.