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Chillier no heat!

Potty LottyPotty Lotty Posts: 65
in Fruit & veg

Hi folks, I need your thoughts! I bought some chillies that were variously hot to mild- took out some of the seeds before cooking and dried them. Planted them, they have grown beautifully but are completely not hot or even mild chillie flavour? Perplexed, what have I done wrong please?

Potty Lottie but no hottie chillies!

Last edited: 28 July 2016 19:31:12

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Posts

  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 35,799

    Hi PL. The chillies you started out with were probably hybrids therefore their seed will not breed true. To grow chillies you need to buy seed - which will probably be F1 hybrids i.e. having the best qualities of two different plants. You haven't done anything wrong - in fact you've grown some great plants image

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,974

    Give them time - sunshine and warmth.

    This time of year mine have little heat, give it another 3-4 weeks and try them again - you may be very surprised

    Last edited: 28 July 2016 21:16:35

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    I agree with Ladybird.  Chillies cross pollinate readily (even with sweet peppers) and there is absolutely no telling what you'll get from plants grown from saved seed, especially if the 'mother' plant was an F1 hybrid (with F1 hybrids, even pollinating with another identical plant won't produce 'true' seeds.)  To guarantee the type of fruit you want, grow them from seed bought from a reputable seed merchant.

    However, as Pete said they may well get hotter later in the season, especially if we get some more hot weather.  Most of the heat is in the seeds so try chewing a few of those on their own - if no heat then not much hope for that outcome.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Potty LottyPotty Lotty Posts: 65

    Thanks folks, I will give them another few weeks and chew the seeds too! They are now in my lovely new potting shed/greenhouse combi and doing so well! I am hoping for something I can cook with as that is my other passion! 

  • LeifUKLeifUK Posts: 573

    I agree with the above. It is rarely worth growing plants from seeds collected from unknown varieties e.g. food plants bought in supermarkets. So, not a Lotty Hotty then Potty?

    Incidentally do the pods even look as expected?

  • Potty LottyPotty Lotty Posts: 65

    Haha no not a lottie hottie! They look as expected but perhaps bigger? I have bought some packet seeds now and will be planting them as soon as I get space in greenhouse?

  • Potty LottyPotty Lotty Posts: 65

    Ok folks, we had a green house warming party (just the two of us) with a bit of champagne music and evening lighting, in the greenhouse, lovely! 

    Decided to try the previously very cool 'chillies' (decided possibly peppers) and we are still trying to breathe!! Hubby took a big bite expecting it to be a pepper or unF1 chilli gone bad an it has been in his wordos "a half hour of extreme discomfort", swishing water, oil and anything that would quell the fire!

    In a nutshell, the chillies have matured!!!!!!!!

    Amazing

    Wow

    Worth the wait !!!!!! 

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532

    If the chillies are too hot drink some milk.I've grown chillies from bought chillies and they are as hot as the original fruit.So be patient,use the seeds as well.image

    Last edited: 28 August 2016 09:58:15

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,974

    Surprising innit?

    The capsaicin in the chili that causes the heat dissolves in fat or alcohol. So to cool down, either milk or vodka will help.

    I know which I'd choose image

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    How about a "White Russian" Pete? 

    Best of both image

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