Cayenne Chillie Peppers

[pelmetman]

We have four plants in the greenhouse that our doing well and have lots of green chillies on them. When do I know when they are ready to pick? Also how do I dry them for winter use, I seem to recall taking the whole plant out and hanging upside down to dry is this right?

Sue

[Green Aura]

If you've got room in the house, Sue, just take one in and keep it - chillies are perennials, so even if it drops off a bit it'll produce again next year. We've only managed to keep one going for 2 years, but that was down to our mismanagement.

[pelmetman]

Thanks for that Maggie, you learn something every day here.

Sue

[Millymollymandy]

I don't know if the green ones will dry but the red ones can be strung up individually to dry by taking a needle and thread and putting the thread through the stalk bit, put about 8 on a thread with a space between them and hang them up somewhere dry like indoors. They look very decorative and good for Xmas decs too! Oh no I said the forbidden word!

I tried overwintering a chilli plant indoors but it died on me.

[pelmetman]

So I've got two for the price of one - peppers to eat and peppers for decorations

Sue

[Millymollymandy]

Well I thought they might turn red but didn't think they would dry green is what I meant!