I have always put my sideshoots into pots of compost, mid October.
They are now 4in (10cm) plants and flowering, I pinch off the flower trusses. I have them in an unheated greenhouse and if it gets really frosty I keep them on the conservatory windowsill.
Then by late winter they are too tall and I make new plants by putting new sideshoots into pots of compost. etc.
So yes they are ready early but fruiting is perhaps only 10 days ahead.
I like it for independence from buying F1 seeds.
