How to grow a Demon Red chilli (or maybe not...)

Chilli Fiesta - Posted on 26th May 2016

Well, this is not as easy as it first seemed! The marketing team at West Dean took up the challenge (just for fun) to Grow Your Own Demon Red chilli plant. The award-winning Chilli Fiesta has teamed up with seed and plant specialist Thompson & Morgan to encourage festival-goers to try their hand at growing their own chilli plants.

(Don't forget to bring your Demon Red, or other variety you have grown to Chilli Fiesta for the judging on Sunday 7 August).

With 12 weeks still to go here's how the team is doing so far...

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Here's how the team is doing so far...

Penny's Demon Red doing rather nicely
Zoe's chilli plant showing a little brown leaf boo hoo
Mandy's Demon Red... not a lot we can say really : )
Sarah's Demon Red chilli looking very healthy
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Confessions of a chilli growing expert

Did you Know?

Head gardeners, Sarah and husband, Jim Buckland, founded Chilli Fiesta 21 years ago. The summer festival has grown from humble deginnings to become one of the biggest in the UK and has won two awards.

Hear Sarah confess on You Tube just how many chillies she grows every year in the beautiful Victorian glasshouses at West Dean Gardens (but don't tell Jim!).

And for Sarah's Top Ten chilli varieties... @sarahwestdean

Chilli Hub

Don't forget to bring your Demon Red chilli plant - or another variety you have grown yourself - to Chilli Fiesta (5 , 6 & 7 August) where the winner will be announced! Judges are Sarain Wain, Gardens Supervisor and chilli expert, and Kris Collins, Thompson & Morgan's gardening expert. The lucky winner will win a trophy, plus a Thompson & Morgan £100 voucher against future catalogue and online purchases (Terms & Conditions). Second prize: a rosette and £50 voucher and third prize a rosette and £25 voucher.

Now it's your turn...

We hope your plants are doing a little better than some of the marketing team's. Let's us know how you're getting on growing your own Demon Red, share growing tips and photos (if you're feeling brave) on Twitter #demonredchillies @westdeangardens and Facebook.

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