Green chilies are the essence of Indian cuisine. Coming from a land of spices, mirchis are the heart of every dish we cook. Whether it is to add just a dash of spice or a drizzle of garnish, they add loads of flavor. If you are a garden enthusiast, you definitely are here to find out more about the mirchi plant, be it knowing more about green chili seedlings or the red chili plant in general or the cultivation of chili plant and taking care of it.
Here we have prepared a guide for you on how to grow chilies in pots with the proper techniques to plant and look after them so your green chili plant turns out to be very ripe and flavorful. If you think that one cannot cultivate them at home then you are wrong. Growing chili plants is fairly easy and you can grow them at home with the right amount of care and meticulous methods. Apart from Chilies, there are edible flowers that are healthy too. Isn’t this interesting?
Health benefits and nutritional factors of Green Chilies
Chilies have no calories at all and help promote your metabolism. They are also very rich in vitamin C which helps keep your skin to look radiant, helps you regulate and maintain your immune system and helps with weight loss. It is very good for your digestive system and helps enhance your bowel movements. It is rich in phytonutrients as well. It is good for your heart’s health as it helps bring down the cholesterol levels which is the root for so many heart related issues. Green chilies are a rich source of iron and are better at absorbing it from your diet. They also help increase the level of hemoglobin in your body. The phytonutrient called capsaicin that is found in chilies is very good in alleviating a common cold issue. Certain antioxidants present in chilies help in reducing the growth of cancer cells in the body. In fact, there are many herbs and vegetables that can make you a healthy human being. Don’t forget to include them in your diet on a daily basis.
How to grow Chilies from fresh seeds
Growing a chili plant at home from scratch may seem like a daunting process but it is not. First you need to choose the type of chili seed you wish to grow and plant out your gardening process likewise. Mostly the steps are pretty basic and simple to follow.
1. Preparing the soil and choosing your pot
The right type of container is very essential for a chill plant to grow well. An ideal pot should be about 12 to 18 inches but you can go with any container you wish to choose. Seeding the chilies can be done altogether but once they germinate, the saplings need to be planted individually in separate containers. Any sort of organic soil will help in boosting the growth of the plant and you can mix a good amount of compost to it to help enhance the whole process. Ensure the pot has enough drain holes in the bottom so that your plant is not sitting there in water.
2. Temperature
Chilies usually grow in humid temperatures between 21 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius. A good amount of sunlight is essential to keep the plants growing well and healthy. Maintain the temperature well so that the chili plant flower does not wither away. It should get sunlight.
3. The seed tray and the germination process
For the germination process to go smoother, first start by planting them in a seed tray. One should take lots of care of seeds to get the best results. Fill a 3-inches deep tray with soil and place your seeds on top. Then add another thin layer and drizzle water over it. In about a week or two, your seeds will start germinating. Choose a pot of the dimensions mentioned earlier and place your saplings there.
4. Taking care of your chili plant
The chili plant growing stages with days essentially take up to two months to grow which is around 60 days at the most. These plants do not require a lot of water like any other plant so ensure you do not overdo with the water and have a good number of holes at the bottom of your pot or container for drainage. Use a good organic potting soil so that the nutrients in it help boost the growth. Fertilize the soil well using fruit and vegetable peels or cow dung to give it enough nourishment and make the plant grow well. Chili plant care is not very complicated at all which makes it very easy to grow. To keep pests at bay, spray your plant with an insecticidal soap once a day.
5. Harvesting your chili plant
Once the two months period has passed, your chilies are ready to harvest. Ensure you use a good pair of scissors or pruning shears and cut off the stem in a way that you leave two thirds of it. Do not pull at the plant or you might end up damaging it.
Thus, you no longer need to fret over how to grow chili plants faster at home and how to grow green chili plants at home because this guide has packed it all for you.
About Urja Seeds
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FAQs
Q1. What is the best time to grow green chilies?
Ans: Chilies can be grown all year round and can be harvested as both Kharif and Rabi crops. May to June are the sowing months to harvest them as a Kharif crop and September to October harvest them as a Rabi crop.
Q2. What is the best temperature to grow chilies?
Ans: Around 21 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius is the best temperature to grow chilies.
Q3. How long does it take for chilies to grow?
Ans: It takes around two months for the chilies to grow.