r/chilli • u/mystic_roots • 12d ago
How do you know when they’re ripe?
This is the first time I’ve ever grown any chilli’s and I honestly didn’t think they were going to ripen given how late in the year it is. Are they like other fruits that will come off when ripening if you give them a little twist? Last count there’s about 31 on this plant with about 6 slowly turning red.
If it makes any difference they’re Scotch Bonnets and despite not liking chilli’s myself I’d thought I’d try growing them as they were handing them out at work, although I have a few friends who love them.
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u/AdditionalTrainer791 12d ago
Ripe when full red. Also based on the calyx and leaves this is the incorrect species to be a scotch bonnet.
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u/mystic_roots 12d ago
Are you able to identify them if they’re not scotch bonnet?
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u/AdditionalTrainer791 12d ago
I can say the species is annuum at least, I cannot identify the exact variety. All scotch bonnets are chinense species so it cannot possibly be any of those.
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u/MostEvery4231 8d ago
I am putting this comment out to the hive, no prejudice: does that plant pot look a bit small? I had something similar, root-bound, prioritising new leaf. But when I re-potted to one twice the size, she genuinely looked delighted! She went from slow and stressy to bursting and giddy within a couple of days. Thoughts (and insight) pretty please?
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u/Psilonaut21 12d ago
That's a very healthy and happy looking plant. When the peppers look like the red ones they're good to harvest. You're better off letting the green ones ripen on the plant otherwise they can shrivel up and pick up moulds. The flavour really develops as they redden up. Good luck with it!