The Habanero grew diligently over the summer. Covered with numerous bright yellow, orange or red chilies. But the colder it gets outside, the more their existence comes to an end. Can we save the Habanero in winter quarters?
How can you overwinter a Habanero successfully?
To overwinter a Habanero in winter, it should be placed in a bright location near the window at 10-15 degrees Celsius. Water regularly, do not fertilize and check for pests. Keep it warmer from February/March and slowly get used to the outside conditions from April.
High heat requirement
All Habanero varieties are heat-loving plants. In their native Mexico, they receive plenty of sunshine all year round. Unfortunately, in this country we cannot spoil them in this regard. As soon as the temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius in autumn, it becomes uncomfortable for them and, in the long term, hostile to life. Winterization must be addressed at this point at the latest.
Suitable winter quarters
In winter, the priority is not to continue harvesting hot chili peppers, but rather to bring the habanero through into the next season. These are suitable conditions for wintering:
- bright location close to the window
- if applicable. Install plant light
- Temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius
- The temperature must not fall below 4 degrees Celsius
Tip
If you do not have this ideal winter quarters available, you can also overwinter the habanero in a room with a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. However, lice may then appear more frequently.
Preparing for winter storage
- Harvest your Habanero completely.
- Inspect the plant for pests and diseases. Only he althy plants are allowed to enter the winter quarters.
- If space in the winter quarters is limited, you can cut the plant back.
- Transplant a habanero that is in the bed into a sufficiently large container. Use the soil from the bed for this. Be careful not to damage the root ball.
Tip
Hardly anyone will be able to process so much spiciness in one go. That's not necessary either. The harvested habanero fruits can be preserved dry or by pickling.
Care in winter quarters
- Water the plant moderately, do not fertilize
- scan sporadically for pests
- In warm locations, spray tips regularly with water
- lighter and warmer from February/March
- then is the best time to cut back
- From April, gradually get used to being outdoors (as long as it is already warm)
Note:Don't worry if the habanero loses some of its leaves in winter quarters. This change is triggered by the change in living conditions. The plant will adapt and sprout again in due course.
