Ripening Chili's

[GrowerNewbie]

I've got several chili plants with tons of green chili's on them currently on some outdoor racks.

The variety's I have are Cornio, Banana and Jalepeno - The purple chili's are supposed to be purple when picked aren't they???

Due to the not so hot weather only a few have ripened to a nice red colour which have been picked and used/frozen.
Problem is while I know that when green they can be eaten and in some cases are hotter than when they turned to red, I would like some more if possible. Unfortunately I don't have a green house and with small children around I'm not particularly keen in bringing them into the conservatory....

Any suggestions on how to ripen them? Or should I stop moaning and just be grateful I've got any chili's this year!

[GrowerNewbie]

I'm guessing due to the number of views but no replies - no one knows the answer then!

[Millymollymandy]

Well, I would either pick them green and use them like that, or do what some of the folk here have done and string them up whilst green, then you can hang them somewhere high up out of reach of the children. I've only strung up to dry red chillies before but those who did it green said they turn red whilst drying. Otherwise you can pickle or freeze the green chillies for later use.

I suggest you do a forum search for chillies because there have been a few discussions about ripening them recently, only I don't know which section they were posted in. Good luck!

[Millymollymandy]

Found one, this thread has about ripening the green ones indoors....
http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... 12&t=20617

[Susiwaa]

We used some of our tiny green ones yesterday and they were quite hot! No idea what variety they are so probably not much use!

[GrowerNewbie]

Thanks guys, I did do a search but didn't find anything...

Didn't think drying them on string would turn them red but it obviously works - will give it a shot

[Thomzo]

The plants won't survive being outside in the frost. If you can bring them in and put them somewhere out of the way of the children (kitchen windowsill?) then not only will they ripen but the plants will last until next year as well.

Zoe

[GrowerNewbie]

Unfortunately my partner's not one for having 'plants indoors' she thinks it makes the place far too messy! She's not much of a plant lover and she's not all that impressed that I've managed to convert a third of the back garden in to raised beds for various fruit and veg - she thought the beds were for plants! LOL!

I think the 'small children' reason is being used so I can't bring my chilli plants in to the conservatory to overwinter......Nevermind, I'll just have to buy a small green house over the winter and grow some more interesting stuff in the sprind.

With regards to keeping chilli's for two years I did save about 3 plants from last year and found those I had grown from seed this year were far more productive - just a thought for those of you thinking of bringing the plants indoors over winter.