Question
Hi Mike

I wonder if you can help me with this one,

I've just bought to a chilli plant with about 30 yellow coloured chillis on it. But I'm new to chilli plants and need some advice,

1. At what point are you supposed to pick the chillis, at present mine are about 4cm long, am I supposed to leave them on there longer ?
2. I know green chillis eventually turn red when ripe, but what colour do yellow chillis turn ?
3. When I've removed this years chillis what do i do with the plant, will it grow more chillis next year ?

Please help

Answer
Emma, 5 cm is the ideal length for chili peppers, but many gardeners prefer to harvest slightly smaller to avoid the pepper being too hot or bitter.

In regard to color, yellow peppers normally turn a bright orange if left on the vine. The longer the pepper is left to mature, the hotter it will be.

As far as next year, peppers are annuals and should be removed after the first frost. I compost my spent plants and use the organic matter to supplement my soil next spring. Plant new seedlings or sow your seeds next year once your area receives its last frost.

I hope this answered your questions. Have a great weekend.

Regards,

Mike