Earlier in the year (back in June i think) i had a bit of a slow start to the growing season as we moved house back in the late spring. As a result i hedged my bets slightly and bought a scotch bonnet plant from B&Q as an insurance policy to my home grown orange habaneros.
I’m usually a bit suspicious about chilli plants bought from non specialist shops as they tend to be grown under artificial lights and usually struggle once you get them home to more natural conditions.
I’m pleased to report that this scotch bonnet has been incredibly productive. I’ve not looked after the plant that well (let it dry out a few times) but it’s been resilient and always come back to life. It’s been fruiting heavily now for a few months and is still flowering and trying to produce more fruit despite the cooler weather that has set in.
I’ll definitely be over wintering this plant so i can benefit from more of the same next year!
It seems like any hope of an autumn warm spell has all but faded away and the cold weather looks to be here to stay. As a result i’m currently focusing on harvesting as many chillies from my plants as possible. Mainly due to lack of time i’ve mainly been freezing most of my excess crop this year. I’ll soon start thinking about which plants to over winter…..