Chilli Growing Tips

General Production:

• Chilli does well in warm seasons of the year. Optimum temperatures for growing are 20ºC to 30ºC.

• Popular Chilli varieties are Long Red Cayenne, Long Slim Cayenne, Serrano, Spitfire and Thai Chilli.

• A well-managed Chilli crop should yield 2.5tons Green or 750kg Dry per Lima. Harvest may extend for several months but is generally discontinued after 2 months when bulk of the crop has been picked.

Land Preparation/Soil Type:

• Deep well drained loamy soils with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5 is ideal.

• Effective rooting depth is 60cm.

• Plough and harrow to a 60cm fine tilth seedbed.

Planting and Transplanting:

• Sow directly by drilling in the farrows 1 to 2cm deep or raise seedlings in nursery beds and transplant 6 to 8 weeks later.

• Transplant during the cool part of the day (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid wilting of the plants.

• Space the plants at 30cm between plants and 75cm between rows to give a plant population of 45,000 plants /hectare.

Fertilizer Programme:

• At transplanting apply Veg Mix A 15gm/plant (170kg/Lima).

• 21 days from transplanting top dress using Veg Top 24 2.5gm/plant (29kg/Lima).

• 35 days from transplanting top dress using Veg Top 24 2.5gm/plant (29kg/Lima).

• 49 days from transplanting top dress using Veg Top 24 2.5gm/plant (29kg/Lima).

• 63 days from transplanting top dress using Veg Top 24 2.5gm/plant (29kg/Lima).

• Repeat application every 14 days as harvesting may continue for several months.

• Place fertilizer 5cm away from the plant and 5cm deep followed by irrigation immediately.

Management Practices:

• Weeds compete with plants for nutrients and space; they can reduce yields by more than 25%. Keep the field free from weeds at all times.

• Tall varieties must be trellised to keep the plants upright.

• Scout for pests and diseases once weekly, spray upon noticing disease or pest. Aphids, Leaf miner, Loopers and Caterpilla are common insect pests while Cercospora, Powderly mildew and Downy mildew are common Chilli diseases.

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