Top Tips for Growing Success with Chillies & Tomatoes

Top Tips for Growing Success

Now that the summer is truly here and plants are growing at full speed, don't forget to keep a close eye on your babies.

1	Watch out for Deficiencies
	With everything growing full steam, it's easy to let deficiencies creep in. Here are a few of the top chilli deficiencies to keep a an eye out for. More information can be found on the World of Chillies deficiencies section. Here are a few of the most common ones; Nitrogen deficiency: Visual symptoms include pale yellowing (chlorosis) of older leaves, starting from the tip and spreading towards the base. Leaves may appear stunted and have weak stems. Phosphorus deficiency: Look for dark green or purple leaves, especially on the undersides. The leaves may appear small and narrow. Reduced flowering and poor fruit development are common symptoms. Potassium deficiency: Watch for yellowing or browning of leaf margins and tips. Leaves may have a scorched appearance. Stems can become weak, and fruit quality may be diminished. Magnesium deficiency: Observe yellowing between the leaf veins, while the veins themselves remain green. This condition is known as interveinal chlorosis and often affects older leaves. Iron deficiency: Look for yellowing of young leaves while the veins remain green. The yellowing starts from the base of the leaf and spreads outwards. More info on deficiencies

With everything growing full steam, it's easy to let deficiencies creep in. Here are a few of the top chilli deficiencies to keep a an eye out for. More information can be found on the World of Chillies deficiencies section.

Here are a few of the most common ones;

Nitrogen deficiency: Visual symptoms include pale yellowing (chlorosis) of older leaves, starting from the tip and spreading towards the base. Leaves may appear stunted and have weak stems.
Phosphorus deficiency: Look for dark green or purple leaves, especially on the undersides. The leaves may appear small and narrow. Reduced flowering and poor fruit development are common symptoms.
Potassium deficiency: Watch for yellowing or browning of leaf margins and tips. Leaves may have a scorched appearance. Stems can become weak, and fruit quality may be diminished.
Magnesium deficiency: Observe yellowing between the leaf veins, while the veins themselves remain green. This condition is known as interveinal chlorosis and often affects older leaves.
Iron deficiency: Look for yellowing of young leaves while the veins remain green. The yellowing starts from the base of the leaf and spreads outwards.

More info on deficiencies

2	Tomato Sideshoots
	When it comes to growing tomatoes, plucking out the side shoots is critical. Those little buggers pop up between the leaves, but getting rid of them is super important. When you pull those side shoots, you're telling the plant to focus all its energy on making big, juicy tomatoes instead of wasting it on extra vegetative growth. In addition, taking out those extra shoots helps air circulate better, keeps diseases at bay, and lets the sun shine on every tomato. So, keep an eye out for those sneaky side shoots and give 'em a good ol’ pluck!

When it comes to growing tomatoes, plucking out the side shoots is critical. Those little buggers pop up between the leaves, but getting rid of them is super important.

When you pull those side shoots, you're telling the plant to focus all its energy on making big, juicy tomatoes instead of wasting it on extra vegetative growth.

In addition, taking out those extra shoots helps air circulate better, keeps diseases at bay, and lets the sun shine on every tomato. So, keep an eye out for those sneaky side shoots and give 'em a good ol’ pluck!

3	Makrut Lime Revival
	I was devastated when I saw my makrut (kaffir) lime plant looking completely dead this winter. The leaves has vanished, and many of the branches felt brittle. It was disheartening, to say the least. However, amidst the gloom, I noticed a glimmer of hope—a patch of green reaching halfway up the stem. Encouraged by this tiny sign of life, I didn't give up. I only spangly watered it and patiently waited for warm weather. And you know what? Against all odds, my lime plant came back to life! New shoots sprouted, leaves unfurled, and its green color returned. Here are a few of tips for bringing that market back to life; Prune: Trim away any dead or dry branches to allow the plant to focus its energy on new growth. Be cautious not to remove the green portions. Provide good sunlight: Makrut lime plants thrive in bright sunlight. Ensure it receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water appropriately: Water the plant consistently, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot. Fertilise: Apply a balanced citrus fertiliser during the growing season to provide necessary nutrients for healthy growth. Patience: Sometimes plants take time to recover. Be patient and continue providing care. With the right conditions and time, your makrut lime plant will have a better chance to regrow and flourish.

I was devastated when I saw my makrut (kaffir) lime plant looking completely dead this winter. The leaves has vanished, and many of the branches felt brittle. It was disheartening, to say the least. However, amidst the gloom, I noticed a glimmer of hope—a patch of green reaching halfway up the stem.

Encouraged by this tiny sign of life, I didn't give up. I only spangly watered it and patiently waited for warm weather. And you know what? Against all odds, my lime plant came back to life! New shoots sprouted, leaves unfurled, and its green color returned.

Here are a few of tips for bringing that market back to life;

Prune: Trim away any dead or dry branches to allow the plant to focus its energy on new growth. Be cautious not to remove the green portions.
Provide good sunlight: Makrut lime plants thrive in bright sunlight. Ensure it receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Water appropriately: Water the plant consistently, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.
Fertilise: Apply a balanced citrus fertiliser during the growing season to provide necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
Patience: Sometimes plants take time to recover. Be patient and continue providing care. With the right conditions and time, your makrut lime plant will have a better chance to regrow and flourish.

4	Pinching out Chilli Flowers on Small Plants
	Pinching out the flowers in very young chilli plants is definitely a god idea for their overall growth and productivity. When small, they they have yet to develop a robust root system and strong branches to support the weight of fruiting. By removing the flowers at this stage, you redirect the plant's energy towards establishing a sturdy framework and healthy foliage. This encourages the plant to develop a stronger root system and more vigorous growth, leading to better fruit production in the long run. Pinching out the flowers in the early stages allows the plant to focus on building its foundation for a more productive and fruitful harvest later on.

Pinching out the flowers in very young chilli plants is definitely a god idea for their overall growth and productivity. When small, they they have yet to develop a robust root system and strong branches to support the weight of fruiting.

By removing the flowers at this stage, you redirect the plant's energy towards establishing a sturdy framework and healthy foliage. This encourages the plant to develop a stronger root system and more vigorous growth, leading to better fruit production in the long run.

Pinching out the flowers in the early stages allows the plant to focus on building its foundation for a more productive and fruitful harvest later on.

5	Pinch out Basil Tips to Prevent Flowering
	If you want a bigger, bushier basil plant (whether it's a Siam Queen or a Holy basil) that keeps producing leaves instead of going to seed, always pinch out the tips and flowers. When you pinch off those little ends, it tells the plant to put its energy into growing more leaves and branches instead of investing it on flowers and seeds. This helps the plant get all nice and bushy, with lots of foliage to harvest for your Thai dishes (it’s always a good idea to use quite a lot). Plus, it keeps the leaves tasting great because once basil starts flowering, the leaves can turn bitter. So, by giving your basil a little trim, you'll have a lush, flavourful plant that keeps on giving!

If you want a bigger, bushier basil plant (whether it's a Siam Queen or a Holy basil) that keeps producing leaves instead of going to seed, always pinch out the tips and flowers. When you pinch off those little ends, it tells the plant to put its energy into growing more leaves and branches instead of investing it on flowers and seeds.

This helps the plant get all nice and bushy, with lots of foliage to harvest for your Thai dishes (it’s always a good idea to use quite a lot). Plus, it keeps the leaves tasting great because once basil starts flowering, the leaves can turn bitter.

So, by giving your basil a little trim, you'll have a lush, flavourful plant that keeps on giving!

6	Staking Indeterminate Toms
	Packaging: Leave the plants in the packaging upright for 24 hours before potting them on in a warm sunny location. This will help them to acclimatize to their new environment and reduce the stress of being transported.

Growing tips from World of Chillies

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World of Chillies was set up by Sarah Hunt in 2011 to promote chilli growing and the enjoyment of everything hot and spicy.

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