How to grow chillies - Telegraph Sow seed in February for Capsicum chinense types such as Habanero Group, which take a long time to germinate, grow, flower and fruit. March/April is fine for C. annuum types such as 'Hungarian Hot Wax', which flower and fruit early. Use fresh seed-sowing compost and don't compress it. Different varieties germinate at different temperatures, but you will need a propagator capable of providing a temperature of 25C. After germination, the chillies require a consistent 14-16C to grow, plus bright light. Use mains water for all propagation and use a clean watering can to avoid adding unwanted micro-organisms to the mix. Save water-butt water for mature plants. While the plant is young, feed with a seaweed-based fertiliser at a reduced rate, to act as a bio-stimulant and to induce the production of white feeder root hairs. As the plant develops, switch to a balanced feed which provides major elements in equal quantities to stimulate the development of all parts of the plant. Finally, having potted the chilli into a 9in pot using a mix of all-purpose and loam-based composts, change the feed again to tomato feed or similar. Divide the weekly recommended dose to a daily dose and feed every morning when you water. If only a single stem develops, pinch out the growing tip to stimulate the production of branches. Stake the central stem firmly and subsequent mature branches as they hang over the rim of the pot with their heavy crop of chillies later in the season. Remember to harvest the fruits, otherwise the plant may cease production. Seaspring Seeds (seaspringseeds.co.uk) and Simpson's Seeds (simpsonsseeds.co.uk) have a good selection of chilli seed. Buy chilli seeds at the Telegraph Gardenshop.