Sowing chillies - with or without extra heat and light

[dave_100]

I'm looking at growing Prairie fire and Thai chillies next year, I live in South East England.

I have a propagator but am concerned I might need to invest in a heated one to help germinate my seeds.

Do any UK growers (or growers from a similar climate) have any input as to whether a heated propagator is required? Could I just wait for a sunny week in March and put the unheated propagator on the windowsill?

[veggiechicken]

Hi Dave and welcome.
I don't grow chillies so can't help with those but have used an airing cupboard for germinating other seeds.

[Guest]

Heated prop isn't essential but it does make a noticeable difference. Seeds can be started off on top of a fridge or in an airing cupboard. They need heat not light to germinate. Once they pop they need light. This can be increased early on in the year by using white card or silver foil in the general seedling area to help reflect/ increase the light aimed at the seedling (I am sure someone can word that better )



Edit: Superhot chillies tend to be more fussy about hotter/ more consistent heat. So for what you have mentioned you are fine without.

[nickdub]

Quite agree with Norfolkgrey on this - the things is that germination can take place anywhere warm enough - the real difficulty is that small plants need light and air to grow on well and healthily, so if they need warmth too and you want to start them in the UK in March or April, some sort of artificial help is essential,.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Hi Dave!

And welcome from me!

No!

Not essential!

But couldn't agree more NF and Nick above, with chillies being a long season crop, it does put you at a massive advantage of being able to start them a little earlier and give you that little bit of an edge to be honest, but that said, once their heads are up they will need as much light as possible to prevent them from becoming weak spindly plants.

So in my opinion, if you are serious about becoming a "Chillie Head" not only is a heated prop an advantage, but a good artificial light source is a must too

But on a less serious note, an unheated prop is fine, but your seeds can't be sown till mid March, April time, and once up you will need to stick em on the biggest window sill you have with as much light source available.

I wish you all the best

And above all have fun!

[dave_100]

Thanks all for the warm welcome and advice. Hmm there seem to be mixed opinions, I'll have a think! Any more input/ growing experiences appreciated.

[bario1]

In a nutshell, yes. Get them started in a heated prop in January and then get them under lights until March/April... I’m not bothering with them next year, too fussy and then we never eat them!

[Scarlet]

Well, I'm going to disagree with the need for lights! I haven't got any and I do reasonably well.
I do have a heated prop - not a fancy one - which does aid germination but as soon as they sprout they get taken outand put on a sunny window ledge. ( as NG said - somewhere warm? Always in radiator? Airing cupboard? I have an Aga )Though prairie fire shouldn't be difficult to germinate. I don't use foil, paper or anything fancy. I put them ons sunny windowsill during the day and make sure they aren't left there in the fraught at night. Mine may be a little slow to start in inSpring but I get a good crop by Autumn.

[Scarlet]

T Hmm there seem to be mixed opinions.

We never agree

[Scarlet]

This is worth a read ( if you have time)

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...8-a_95416.html

[Baldy]

I think there is more agreement here than is usual...

In my opionion (ignoring superhot varities) a heated propagator isn't *essential* but does give an advantage - especially if you can then add some artificial light into the mix - which would likely increase the length of time you have to grow the chilli.
Having said that - I'm no chilli expert...

Welcome along btw...

[Chrissyteacup]

Hey welcome to the forum I’m definitely not an expert but I managed to grow them this year in an unheated greenhouse (but only grew milder chillies) next year I plan on getting a heated propagator so I can grow a few more hotter chillies and mix things up a bit.
I’m further north then you not far from Hull so will be colder! And I don’t have plants inside so you should be alright without.

[Philthy]

Having grown chillies every year for the past fourteen and having made do with a 'nothing special' heated tray at the budget end of the market for all of that time, which takes x2 standard seed trays with clear lids, it is my intention to kit myself out with a purpose built propagator ahead of next season. Adjustable thermostat, and probably one with lights in the hood too (this feature not crucial though).
As mentioned, the superhots do benefit greatly from extra heat; the recommended temperature for effective germination of this class of pepper seems to be around the 27-32 C mark, so in my opinion I'd say if you plan on growing a lot of Bhut Jolokai and Moruga a decent propagator would be essential. They may germinate at lower, but it takes a lot longer (up to two months not unheard of), and that's assuming the seeds don't deteriorate in the meantime as of course the moisture balance in the compost needs to be maintained throughout that whole period, so expect any results to be fairly sporadic.
Using my existing kit - which has a fixed heat output of 19 C in theory; the air temperature of the environment would sap that further as it isn't enclosed - I've never been able to germinate Jolokia, just doesn't get hot enough. I'm hoping with an equipment upgrade I'll achieve far speedier results across the whole spectrum, more control, and with less waste.
HOWEVER, for more standard fare e.g. your Jalapeno, cayennes, Aji's, varieties most people like to grow actually, all of the aforementioned methods on the thread are fine (and a 19 C output tray quite adequate too). More specialist kit will always offer an advantage.
It really comes down to a bit of experimentation to establish your heat preference and types of pepper you want to grow. All reputable seed suppliers should provide growing guidelines.

[Baldy]

^^^ blimey

true though...

[veggiechicken]

Saw this offer today - less than half price Grow Light Garden.
Know nothing about it but I'm sure others here have one.

https://www.unwins.co.uk/kitchen-her...x-pid9304.html