Chili Seeds, When to Plant?

[lavandulagirl]

It may well reduce germination rates, Sandbar. I've heard that too. I really like the convenience of the enclosed cells, though. I planted a few things last Saturday, too. Alan's Mer de Noms tomatoes are sprouting nicely. I planted 12, and so far 7 are up. The seed is two or three years old, I think.

[homebeerbrewer]

The pad itself isn't regulated, but once attached to the regulator, I can hold fairly steady temps. I was thinking that I'll wrap the probe in with the seeds, but you're right, how will I know when they sprout? I'll go with your idea and put the pad under the container. The only issue I see will be the ambient air temp. Maybe that won't effect the seeds once they're in the starter?

[lavandulagirl]

Your pad will keep the starter warm... I'll bet you'll be just fine. Are you putting the whole thing somewhere that you think is too cool, like the garage? In-house ambient temp will probably be fine. In the garage or cellar, you can hold some of the pad's temp in the surrounding air by creating a makeshift greenhouse around your starting tray. I've known people who've used those plastic lettuce containers from the grocery for this. Works like a charm!

[homebeerbrewer]

Good idea. I'm putting them in the basement, where it's about 65 deg. I had thought about covering them with a cardboard box. It would keep the heat in, but the light out. Your idea is much better.

[Dan]

Don't tell m wife but i am going johno style next year and want to build a seed starting area in the basement so she doesn't yell at me for what i've done to the spare bedroom this year

i had a very good germination rate using DIY Bottom Heaters (plastic tubs, rope light, sand) that I found online. Not sure if I am going to keep those or do something slightly different next year for my peppers.

[sandbar]

I saw some had posted a link (you, Dan?) about the rope light bottom heaters. I thought it was pretty nifty. Glad to hear it worked out for you.

Now, all of us guys want a Johno-styled MAN CAVE!!

[homebeerbrewer]

Sad to say, but the Bhut Jolkin seeds didn't sprout, the Anaheim Chili's did ok though, I've got about 8 plants that are ready to go in the ground.

[wildseed57]

I'd start them now also, do you have a heating system to start your seeds off, as they will need some heat source, I use a old waterbed heater that has a thermostat. I grow several really hot peppers encluding the ghost pepper, it does tak awhile to germinate, but if they are fairly fresh they should sprout in a week or so. If you have never eaten a fresh ghost ghost pepper be prepaired for some real pain. YouTube has several vids of people eating them. I can't eat them anymore because of the meds I take, but I do use them dried and ground into a fine powder that I use a very small amount to add some heat to my food, other wise I use it to kill insects with, no kidding there. What cever you do don't get the juice or powder in your eyes, nose or anywhere else that you don't want to burn like mad. Growing them is a lot of fun though and you can over winter them, in a good sunny spot inside or under lights. I have a three year old wild Peruvian pepper C. eximium and a two year old C. cardenasii that I have overwintered the pods are easier to eat than the super hot ghost pepper.
George W.

[wildseed57]

I should have read all the post, sorry that the ghost peppers didn't sprout for you. I have some hanging grow lights in my spare bedroom that I have turned into a grow room in the spring time, I'm seperated from my wife so I don't have to worry about what she might say. This year besides my wild ones that I over wintered I have three ghost peppers six brown scorpions, and two chocolate congo peppers that I'm growing for my brother and his son, who just loves them. I can't see why as they hurt me to much to eat the fresh pods. I'm looking for some wild Sonora chiltepins, hopefully I will find some as I like the little wild ones best.
George W.