Disaster struck my attempt to overwinter several chilli plants.
Before leaving for a three-week holiday in the new year, I asked my father to care for the plants because I didn’t want them left unwatered for about three and a half weeks. At his place they were moved to a workshop window with very little heating, a sharp contrast to the warm environment of my living room.
When I returned I learned the plants had not tolerated the sudden temperature change. They had dropped all their leaves and looked very unhealthy.
I brought the pots home and kept them watered in the hope they might recover, but I’ve come to accept that they didn’t make it through the winter.
Although I’m disappointed that all the plants failed, I learned a clear lesson for next season: successful overwintering requires a consistently warm environment. The most likely cause of the loss was the shock of moving from a warm flat to a cold workshop.
I confirmed they were dead when I cut into a few stems and found them dried out and hollow inside.
Well, onwards and upwards — I’ll plant new seeds to replace what I lost.
Has anyone had success overwintering chillies this year? If so, please share your experience in the comments below.