I'm starting my peppers out early this year

[Jim]

Last year It was late march or so and it was cool were I started them so I'm not shocked they were so slow to grow. THins year I'm starting my hot peppers late Feb. It's probably to early but I think it might be better than too late.

[MawkHawk]

Yeah, I used to start my peppers and eggplants around mid-march but last year I moved it up to early-march or so. But they still take forever to get rolling....

[Jim]

Especially habenero types for me, they need more time. I've never grown eggplant before but I will be this year. I'll start those at the same time as well.

[pyrorob]

I normally start mine the second week of January, and then plant them out the second week of April. Since last frost isn't usually until June, I also use a hoop house to protect them.

The biggest problem I have is pinching off all the flowers until I remove the hoop house. Nothing like jalapenos for July 4th

--->Rob

[Jim]

What zone are you in?

[downinmyback]

Since peppers and eggplant both are heat loving plant what do you do to warm the soil after you plant them. Maybe some black plastic would help but how do you keep the plant warm if you don't have a hoophouse?

[landarc]

I plan on starting peppers and eggies right after the new year. Then I will keep working them up to the day I can set them out.

[bluelacedredhead]

I started some Kimberly tomato seeds indoors last week. Three out of the four are up and growing like bad weeds Just think, only 6-1/2 months til my last spring frost date and when I will be able to put plants out. Do you think I'm trying to rush the season??

Naw, actually, just trying for some indoor tomatoes again. Even though the harvest in the living room is less that bountiful, the flavour more than makes up for the short supply.

[rodger]

Since Alan sent me an e-mail stating I was not participating, I guess I better start responding vice lurking. LOL. I will give some insight on when I start my plants. First of all I grow plants commercially. I am planning on growing 25,000-30,000 plants this spring. I gear my plantings to have plants ready by the end of the first week in April, which is past last frost date and the ground is ready for warm season plants so make adjustments as necessary. Hot peppers to include ornamental peppers which are mostly hot take the longest ( rule of thumb the smaller the leaf the slower it is to grow which most hot peppers are small leaved) and need 12-14 weeks to get a plant that is ready to bloom at planting time. This will be a plant about 6inches high with buds and lateral limbs staring. I start the seed in a spare bedroom putting about 30 seed per cell in a 72 cell flat on a heated mat. It takes about 7-10 days for complete germintaion and another 7-10days to be ready to pot up in 3.5inch deep pots in the greenhouse. So for hot peppers from the time the seed is planted til ready to pot up is 2- 3 weeks then they need another 10 weeks to reach transplant size. So I start these first week of January.
Eggplant are next and need about 10-12 weeks to produce a plant about 6inches high well leaved and ready to go into the ground. They will start to bloom about 3 weeks after transplant outside. I start in the same method as hot peppers middle of Jan. again they need about 7-10days to germinate and another week till ready to pot up.
Sweet peppers are next and need about 8 -10weeks so I start them first of Feb. Lastly is the Tomatoes which need only 6 -8weeks. I start them First week in March they germinate in 3-7 days and ready to transplant in 10-14 days. In the warm days of March the tomatoes grow quick and keeping them cool is my major concern to keep them from growing too fast and becoming spindly. I usually have the sides rolled up on the greenhouse and most plants on benches outside of the greenhouse in march. They are all fine even if the nights dip into the low forties. I only close the greenhouse up and put the plants inside if the tempereature is expected to go into the 30s. Ideal growing temps for eggplant, peppers and tomatoes is 75-80 deg to germinate, which is why I start them in the house on a heat pad under florescent lights with anytype of bulb. I have the lights positioned 1/2 inch above the seed flat and mist the seed flat twice a day to keep them moist and away from sun light to prevent dryout and over heating. once the seeds are all up I place the seed flats in the greenhouse which the heaters cycle between 55-60 deg. at night, During the day the exhust fans cycle on at 75 deg and cut off at 65deg. I keep fans circulating across the plants to keep the leaves dry and stimulate good stong stems. I will post pictures in a couple of weeks when the season starts. I have just completed my seed purchases which totaled just over $2000 and I am only waiting on one more order to arrive in the next day or two( Bakers Creek), I am waiting on my shipment of organic potting soil which should have been here two weeks ago. I still have till mid jan before I start potting up. I am also trying to finish cleanup on the greenhouses and putting the plastic covers on. It was 80 degrees today I was in shorts bare footed and a T shirt raking up leaves, weeding beds and starting compost. Life is great in the south if only it would rain. Merry Christmas everyone. Rodger Winn

[Alan]

Howdy Rodger, I hope my e-mail didn't rub anyone the wrong way, I wasn't trying to state that anyone was or wasn't participating, it was just a blanket e-mail that I sent to everyone (instead of singling out anyone) to let them know that were still around and would love to see them here. I hope I didn't come off as rude.

Anyhow, good info Rodger and very detailed. I wish it was 80 degrees here today! Lucky guy! By the way, our seed starting methods are very similar, the only difference is I use the heating pads in the greenhouse with a wood stove for back up heat.

Down, if you want to keep the plants warm you could take some 2 liter pop bottles and cut them in two and put some air holes in them and place them over top of the plants on cold/overcast days and at night, just be sure to take them off when the sun is nice and bright and theres no chance of freeze. Thats the cheapest and most efficient way I know of, other than that you could by some low/grow tunnels that are about a foot and a half tall by two feet wide with some plastic or a floating row cover to put over top of them.

[bluelacedredhead]

Our house is cool in winter and although I started eggplants early last year, they took forever to get going. Alan, do you think your hotcap idea would help indoors for eggplant seedlings once they germinate?? As long as they aren't in direct sunlight of course.

[Alan]

I'm not sure since it works on the principal of a certain amount of sunlight warming the cap, you could put them on in the late afternoon and leave them on until the sun gets warm in the morning in a South Facing window and that might help. What would also help would be heating from the bottom. I have seen what they call a heat coil which is a long wire that you bury in soil that heats the soil with the use of a thermostat up to whatever temperature you desire, if insulated they are very energy efficient and do a great job and come in many lengths, I believe that growers supply and Harris seed company both Carry them. That might be an option though.

[rodger]

No Alan you did'nt rub me wrong. I usually am quiet but especialy so this time of year, getting things clenaed up holidays and planning for next year. Rodger

[bluelacedredhead]

I just thought to help shelter the seedlings from drafts. Maybe I will just have to give them a heat lamp to get them going.

[Jim]

I plan on setting up a few tables in my attached garage to get the seeds started. I'll get some flourescent lights going and the temp will be at about 70 degrees. I can get it warmer in there for the peppers to germinate.