direct sowing chillies, aubergines, ground cherries etc.

[mountaindweller]

I had a bit of a slug problem, and I want to replant some beds. I have not enough capsicum chillies, no aubergines or ground cherries.
What do you think, can they be direct sown? It is hot and humid right now.

[steev]

I think you must be SoHem. Whatever; it appears that you'd be better off, growing those things past slug-stage in a protected environment, to foil the dirty buggers; it may be getting a bit late, now.

[mountaindweller]

Yes Southern Hemisphere. And thinking back I did not lose most of the stuff to slugs but everything ran that fast to seed it was boiling hot this spring, Brisbane climate (we're at 100 meters!!), terrible. Yes, I think chillies are a favourite slug food.

[imgrimmer]

I do direct seeding with ground cherries every year, they do it by there own as well. the same with tomatillos.
This year I sow tomatoes late in season direct inside the green house and planted them out later. They grew faster than the 1 month older potted cousins. This way I could seed even more plants and select for the strongest ones.
Aubergines and peppers I have no idea but I will try it next year, probably they are slower growers....

just for the comparison thing:
I live in northern Germany, with outdoor season start for tomatoes etc. around mid may and season ends around the beginning of october, tomatoes even earlier because of late blight.

Michael

P.S. slugs are a problem here too, but (until now) never on peppers sometimes on tomatoes

[12540dumont]

Mountain,
I've direct sown everything at least once. It works, but you should put out some copper tape if you hope to get any. I did get peppers, tomatoes and eggplant via direct sowing. I have no humidity in the summer, so slugs are a thing of the spring here. Try diatomaceous earth around your plants after seeding

[steev]

Or fresh ashes.