2015 January Chilli Crop

Balcony View Summer 2015

Bad infestation of Aphids on young Chilli leaves

Progress of the strawberry pot 2 weeks after planting into the pot.

Self Watering Pot Makes A Big Difference

Round pot is the normal pot.
Rectangular pot is the self watering pot. The self watering pot is producing way more spring onions and they are taller and thicker than those in the round pot.

First attempt at growing strawberries

How to care your Chilli in winter.

Don't neglect your plant just because it is in the middle of winter.
Trim it back, keep the soil well fertilised and put the pot in a good sunny spot and there will be good results.

I have seen an abundance of flowers in the chilli pot this winter.
I won't see any fruits until spring arrives in September. Judging by the amount of flowers I have seeing now, a good harvest is expected throughout spring and summer.

Canning Chilli

The process of canning my harvested chilli is easy.
Required materials and ingredients include:

1 x glass jar
Several gloves of garlic
1 x large of chilli
Half cup of vinegar

Pour garlic, chilli, vinegar in a blender and blend them into liquid.
Pour contents into a glass jar and store it in the fridge.

I normally use the chilli paste for cooking.

How to avoid mushroom attack

Wet weather is causing mushrooms growing wildly in my garden pots.
Remove mushrooms from your pots and stop watering immediately, let the soil lose some moisture over a few days.

I did just that and I don't see mushrooms growing in my pots anymore.

Chilli after trim

Spring onion

New shoots have been sighted after a brutal trim last week.

How to harvest chilli.

Sunny weather has returned after weeks of rain. This brings me to harvest time.

Start harvesting the chilli once they have turned red. Wear a glove to protect your hand. The oil from the chilli fruit could sting.

Balcony view after plant trimming

Before trim

After trim

Birds ate my chilli!

Aphids!!!!

Australia is entering into Autumn and this year I have a bad case of aphids on my chilli pots. These insects have been aggressive in attacking my chilli. Since plant growth will slow significantly as we head towards cooler temperature in the coming months, I don't plan on insect killer solution on the pots. Instead, I will trim all pots bare once I have harvested the remaining of the Chilli.

I have tried all sorts of methods battling aphids and they have not been too effective. Methods used include spraying on the plants and under the leaves diluted detergent, diluted honey, milk, coffee and so on. These methods only repelled aphids for a short time and then very soon the pots are covered with insect again.

Lifeless plant

Fruit Picking

3 secrets to generously fruiting Chilli

3 secrets to generously fruiting Chilli

1. Consistent, daily watering

2. Full sun position

3. Moderate fertilising (every month)
4. Cut back leaves and branches so that more nutrients can go the fruits.

View of the balcony since 6 Feb 2014

How to get big chilli

This is the biggest chilli tree among my chilli plants. It is fruiting well with medium level spiciness.

A key to getting big-sized chill is to cut back the leaves and branches.

3 weeks old Mint after trimming bare

The mint pots are really enjoying the heatwave. These pots were trimmed bare 3 weeks ago. With sufficient watering the plants are displaying massive growth.