Chillies are used in cooking, pickles and chutney. Red chillies are used as dried as well as powder both in vegetarian and no-vegetarian cooking. Due to its universal use, it is known as “the Queen of Spices”.
Also known as Mirchi /Mirapa / Milagai / Menasinakai/ Pachamulagu.
Climatic requirements :
Chilies requires a hot temperature. Chili seeds need 20°C to germinate, and it should be 30°C or more for the fruit to ripen.
Soil requirements:
Chilies grow in a variety of soils.
Like most plants they grow better in rich soils and produce more fruit, but they will grow in any reasonably fertile soil and don't need any special treatment. If you use plenty of mulch and compost in your garden the chilies will grow just fine
Soil pH should be 6.5 to 7
Planting:
Seed should be sown in 1 cm drills and covered with soil.
You can plant several chili seeds per pot. Once your seedlings have a few leaves, snip off the weaker ones and only keep the strongest plants.
If using grow bags, then space the plants around 25cm apart.
Provide plenty of warmth and light
Seeds will need to be watered on a daily basis, so that the soil is kept moist at all times
Harvest:
It will take a 2 month or longer before the chillies begin flowering and bearing fruit
