Germinating Chilli Seeds

[smallblueplanet]

Lots of chilli-heads start very early. If you can provide the growing plants the conditions they need - ie light & warmth - then start now. Most will start sometime in the new year. I've a desk lamp with a 'daylight' bulb in it to help the seedlings along. I think I'll start some of the 'long season' chillies in January.

[HotStuff]

When is the best time to start growing chilli from seed? I have a heated propagator and a cold GH.

This year I started mine in February, but I'm planning on starting on New Year's Day next year (as long as I'm not too hung over ).

Jim, do you have any sunny windowsill space? The heated propagator is good for germinating them, but once they pop their heads up they need light. So unless you have some kind of lights like SBP mentioned you need a warm sunny windowsill. They can't tollerate the cold, so you can't move them into the GH until all risk of frost has passed.

[Brengirl]

I am priviledged to live on the Dorset Jurassic Coast. A few miles upt road is

website: Peppers by Post - Home.

I first met up with them when they used to sell there peppers at the local car boot. They certainly hit the headlines with their Dorset Naga. By hard work and dedication they no longer have to earn a living by car booting. Maybe it's worth a look.

[danmon_81]

Thats the couple from HFW's show.....I use Hot chilli peppers seeds 50p, 2010 Growing Season Chilli Seeds In Stock Lots of varieties...i see seeds as an investment, once they've grown collect the seeds and swap them on here with other chilli heads!

Im investing in a heated propogator this year. Lats year i started mine off before xmas and had success on the kitchen window ledge!

I used the chamomile tea method which seemed to help.


Dan

[jimfin]

Whats the chamomile tea method!!!

[danmon_81]

make a brew...drink it put the old camomile tea bag in some new water.... let it cool....paper towel soaked with the cold tea place seeds on the towel...another one on top...in tupeware box in sunlight....keep it moist.

apparently the camomille helps reduce the amount of seeds that become mouldy due to its medicinal proparties.

[smallblueplanet]

I always put a thin sprinkle of vermiculite on top of my chilli seeds to help keep them damp but not too wet.

[Alison]

Last few years I've sowed mine in normal peat free multi purpose in tiny newspaper pots, one seed per pot. Cover each seed with a thin later of compost and water with a fine rose. Put them in a heated propogator in our utility room and get pretty good germination rates. Funnily enough I tried using vermiculite on some other seeds last year and got about 50% of the germination I got from the ones without. Have binned that vermiculite in case that was the problem and won't be buying any more, but then again I'm quite tight with that and don't find any advantages to seed compost either.

In summary, I find best results are got by early sowings in the warm which can then be brought on in cooler conditions until it's warmed up enough to put them out.

[HotStuff]

I use peat pellets (either Suttons sow and grow or Jiffy 7) in a heated propagator. Someone on here recommended peat pellets, sorry can't remember who, and it worked well for me last year.

[danmon_81]

think i might try those this year Hotstuff.

[Alison]

I use peat pellets (either Suttons sow and grow or Jiffy 7) in a heated propagator. Someone on here recommended peat pellets, sorry can't remember who, and it worked well for me last year.

Any particular reason why you continue to use peat? Have pretty much cut it out of my life now and haven't really found it a problem. Not having a go, just interested in why people continue to use it.

[HotStuff]

Any particular reason why you continue to use peat? Have pretty much cut it out of my life now and haven't really found it a problem. Not having a go, just interested in why people continue to use it.

Whenever I buy big bags of MPC I always go for the peat free. I only used the peat pellets last year 'cos someone on here recommended them, wish I could remember who, might have to do a Search. I suppose even in small amounts it's not ecologically sound.

[Alison]

Don't cut yourself up over it, I was just curious and if it works well for you, you're not wasting lots of compost containing ungerminated seeds.

[jimfin]

Shop Chilli Seeds

I just bought some chillis in asda yesterday. Can I save some seeds for planting in January and how should I do this?

[smallblueplanet]

Yes, just dry them on a piece of kitchen towel.