Your Guide to Planting Red Chili
If you like spicy food, you will no doubt love red chili, as it is the ingredient that adds that tang to the recipe. The good news is that growing herbs like red chili is a straightforward process.
Even though red chili is usually planted in tropical countries, they can actually grow virtually anywhere as long as the proper conditions are met. Generally, if the temperature is 70 degrees, they will begin to grow.
Growing herbs like red chili take about three months. Because it takes a while for the plants to grow, transplants are not uncommon. If you are going to do this, be sure that you are going to do it with a plant that has not produced any flowers yet, and that it has three leave sets.
As stated, the red chili will take three months for the fruit to fully achieve its potential, and that is the proper time to get the fruit for the full flavor. But if you do not want it to be too spicy, you may begin picking it a few days earlier. A rule of thumb is that the redder it is, the spicier the chili is. However, this only applies to red chili, and not the orange or green variants, which can be just as hot.
If you are interested in growing herbs like red chili, use rich fertile soil mixed with plenty of compost, decaying organic material and clay. The combination of all these will help the plant bear fruit more efficiently. The draining system is also vital here.
The red chili prefers warm soil, so it is important that watering is kept to a minimum for growing herbs like these. Fertilizers, especially those with compost, should be used monthly or as specified in packets. Use the ones that are mixable, but avoid putting too much as it can cause burns on the leaves.
Growing herbs like red chili can be done indoors, and is in fact the best solution especially during the winter. Since these herbs need heat and light, you can provide it easily inside your house. If you are going to put these plants indoors, do it well ahead of the coming cold season, because the plant does not adapt well to cooler temperatures.
When it comes to growing herbs like red chili, a little patience is obviously required, but as they say, good things come to those who wait. Whatever time you spend tending to the herb will pay off at the dinner table.