overwintering Overwintering - how about a step-by-step guide?

[millworkman]

Willard, did you dip the fresh cut ends in wax?

 

[skealo]

Willard, did you dip the fresh cut ends in wax?

Willard, if you did dip them in wax, why?

 

[AlabamaJack]

probably to keep insects from getting to the fresh cut wounds on the plant

 

[willard3]

I put beeswax candle wax on the cuts both to protect against pathogens and reduce water loss.

 

[chilehunter]

Chiles don't grow a lot of roots in hydro as they don't need them to get water/food....it's being delivered.

I prune my roots to a nub with no bad effect.

you never say the differences between soil/hydro, as to cut back. since hydro is more forgiven on the plant/roots for regrowth, well what about soil growers ? (since you're not a soil grower)
would it be better if soil growers not cut back that much ?

 

[POTAWIE]

I cut mine way back, roots and all(not quite as much as Willard's), and plant in new soil.

 

[willard3]

I also grow some chiles in soil in the summer and cut back the roots just as much on soil-grown plants with the same effect.

I know chile growers are afraid to hurt their babies, but chile plants are very hardy and hard to kill.

 

[chilehunter]

would it be better to give a last feeding of fertilizer a couple weeks before cut back to allow nutrients to be soaked into the main stem/root part for an extra boost for them to survive through the dormant stage of wintering them ? kinda like a fat reserve for bears in winter.

 

[POTAWIE]

I'm going to give my plants a good shot of high potassium fertilizer before overwintering but I wouldn't give them any nitrogen until you want them to grow.