How We Grow Chillies In England

Apparently, chillies need a warmer climate to grow. But despite cr*ppy British weather, I managed to grow several green chilli plants without any difficulty within 3-4 weeks. Chilli plants like others need heat and moisture. I kept my plants in the conservatory for that, and with help of my mother, aka EcoMum, we had some great recipes to use them in.

The white unscented flowers of the green chilli plant are around one inch wide. It's a good sign of development - the flower is the beginning of the chilli which will grow from the bud. After flowering a wonderful process of pollination occurs, dependent on Allah's bugs to cross-pollinate from flower to flower (or you use your fingers - sounds gross, it isn't).

The petals fall off leaving a larger pod, and it's from this that one chilli spurts out and grows to 3-4 inches. Above shows the chillies at the various stages from counter-clockwise: a deadhead which suffered from flower drop, it should have nourished a chilli (but didn't); a new chilli growing healthily and a large chilli almost ready for picking.

The longer the chilli remains attached to the plant, the longer the heat exposure and growth. When darker green, the chilli begins to ripen and change colour again: to red. The 'heat' intensity is less in most red chillies and EcoMum eats them raw (taking organic to a whole 'nutha level).

There you have it. From seed to flower to chilli, to the Spanish Potatoes I made today. I will have the recipe on that soon!

Peace and wholesome jihad,
Zaufishan, the eco muslim