Question: Bonchi in the windowsill

[Wotan]

I have been really interested in growing a bonchi. The idea of combining something tasty and something pretty really appeals to me. However I have a few questions that I hope the chili experts can answer.

- Is it possible to grow a decent bonchi on the windowsill without adding artificial light? I live in Denmark and the windowsill is facing south east. Having a bulb on 16 hours a day is expensive and not a pretty thing to have in a living room (I think my girlfriend would kill me if I installed a LED grow light ).

- When there is no artificial light to help growth, can I start my bonchi project now or would I have to wait planting the seeds until next season?

- What cultivars would you recommend. I would like to fuse a few different cultivars together by braiding. Ideally I would like both mild and hot cultivars that taste good, looks pretty as bonchi and who are hard to kill.

I hope you can help me with my questions.

[Mayloa]

Hi and welcome to the world of growing

If i were you i would chill for this season, do some more research on the different species, finding the seeds that matches your needs etc. Then start the seeds off early next year (Jan/Feb/Mar or so[Some swear to putting seeds down already in Nov/Dec though]) The plants grow nicely in a sunny windowsill in Denmark without extra lighting (That's how i grow them) And by the end of next years season you'll cut it down and start working it into bonchi.

I've done little reading about fusing, i hear it is supposed to be hard to pull off though. But that just makes it even more interesting, right? =)

As with varieties, Probably something with small pods. It all comes down to personal preference though.

To sum up; You should try it, you'll see that it is a great journey and you will learn by doing.

Try looking for "Den lille stærke om chili" which is a danish book about chilies by Lene tvedegaard @ your local library. It has some good info, might help =)
Also if you haven't already, you should check out the articles @ Fatalii's growing guide