Burpee seeds - and a few basic questions

tam91 · February 16, 2011

I only grow a couple hot pepper plants, and wasn't going to start from seed - but what the heck. I came across some seeds yesterday - they are both Burpee - Serrano and Jalapeno M.

I am just looking for the standard jalapeno and serrano - those are them, right? i wasn't sure about that "M".

Should I start them a little earlier than the tomatoes? Seems like they may take longer to emerge. And I seem to remember peppers need heat - on top of the fridge work?

Thanks!

ireilly · February 16, 2011

Hi Tam, the jalapeno M is one of many in the jalapeno line, but is normally considered hot, unlike a few like Fooled You or some modern hybrids.

Remember that any pepper can vary in heat from environmental factors, including how long you leave them on the vine.

Pepperheads bemoan the loss of many of the original varieties from Mexico in favor of the larger hybrids bred for market. This link to "J" peppers is not all jalapenos but will show you a little of the variety in the line. Not meant to be all-encompassing though.

http://www.g6csy.net/chile/var-j.html

HTH

Walter

PS - It's by someone who actually puts credits on the pictures. Not sure about the permission thing though. Nonetheless, adjacent pictures are helpful in comparisons.

tam91 · February 16, 2011

Oh good, I like hot peppers. I guess these will probably do then, if I want hotter ones I'll have the serranos.

It might be interesting in the future to try to find some of the old Mexican ones (aaak a new budding obsession, heirloom peppers)

lurley · February 16, 2011

In general peppers do take longer to germ that tomatoes, I usually start them four weeks earlier. They do like heat, 70 or so to germinate best in my experience, I use a heat mat but the fridge would work too. I grow a lot of heirloom peppers but I grow some hybrids of jalepeno, ancho, and anaheim in addition to their heirloom counterparts for the sole purpose of stuffing them as they tend to be larger and easier to fill.

tam91 · February 16, 2011

Oh, that much earlier. I'd better move it then!

Seems I should be starting them now? (northern illinois)

Wi-sunflower · February 16, 2011

Yup, when I do my peppers I usually have them seeded by about now.

Carol

tam91 · February 16, 2011

Thanks - I guess I'm off to the store for metro-mix then.

Dutch · February 16, 2011

Thanks, I'll start my peppers this week.

roper2008 · February 16, 2011

Tam91, Jalapeno M is a favorite of many. I'll be trying it for the first time
this year.

tam91 · February 16, 2011

Oh good - I guess I had "dumb luck" shopping.

Do I plant them the same as tomato seeds - on top, then just sprinkle a bit over to cover?

roper2008 · February 16, 2011

Pepper seeds are bigger, so you want to put more soil on top
of seeds, but don't put too much.

ireilly · February 16, 2011

Not sure if you saw this related thread

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=17143

tam91 · February 16, 2011

Thank you both - I did see that other thread. My jalapenos last year were pretty tame (bought the plant) but the serranos were nice. I want red serranos for pepper jelly, so I grow my own (love that recipe!).

I just checked the top of my freezer - it is disappointingly cool. I'll have to check the freezer - or they may get put over a heat vent or something. hmmm

ireilly · February 17, 2011

Yes, my fridge is also not warm on top. I do have a gas-fired furnace though and when it colder a couple weeks ago, right on top it is nice and toasty, especially the closer you get to the exhaust flue. I just move them around and closer or further to adjust the temperature. I put them in a can that the label is pulled off of, to sort of even the heat out.

But that went out the window when our temps went up in the 60s and 70s this week. I'm hoping most of the colder weather is over but there will usually be one more snap at least before spring.

Someone else mentioned their DirectTV box was nice and warm. Usually something that stays on or runs on and off constantly is what you need if you have no heating mat (which I do not). Remember too that an incandescent light puts out most of its light in the infrared (heat) range so you could use a lamp and just put your baggies into a black plastic bag like a thick trash bag, and beam the light down on it. Probably not much more cost than running a heating mat. Cheaper to use something already emitting heat into your living space though.

And maybe you are starting in flats or other, so these comments may not apply directly....

feldon30 · February 17, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by ireilly

Someone else mentioned their DirectTV box was nice and warm.

Hot peppers via Satellite. I love it.

February 16, 2011	#1
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	Burpee seeds - and a few basic questions I only grow a couple hot pepper plants, and wasn't going to start from seed - but what the heck. I came across some seeds yesterday - they are both Burpee - Serrano and Jalapeno M. I am just looking for the standard jalapeno and serrano - those are them, right? i wasn't sure about that "M". Should I start them a little earlier than the tomatoes? Seems like they may take longer to emerge. And I seem to remember peppers need heat - on top of the fridge work? Thanks!

February 16, 2011	#2
ireilly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 344	Hi Tam, the jalapeno M is one of many in the jalapeno line, but is normally considered hot, unlike a few like Fooled You or some modern hybrids. Remember that any pepper can vary in heat from environmental factors, including how long you leave them on the vine. Pepperheads bemoan the loss of many of the original varieties from Mexico in favor of the larger hybrids bred for market. This link to "J" peppers is not all jalapenos but will show you a little of the variety in the line. Not meant to be all-encompassing though. http://www.g6csy.net/chile/var-j.html HTH Walter PS - It's by someone who actually puts credits on the pictures. Not sure about the permission thing though. Nonetheless, adjacent pictures are helpful in comparisons.

February 16, 2011	#4
lurley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 741	In general peppers do take longer to germ that tomatoes, I usually start them four weeks earlier. They do like heat, 70 or so to germinate best in my experience, I use a heat mat but the fridge would work too. I grow a lot of heirloom peppers but I grow some hybrids of jalepeno, ancho, and anaheim in addition to their heirloom counterparts for the sole purpose of stuffing them as they tend to be larger and easier to fill.

February 16, 2011	#6
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Yup, when I do my peppers I usually have them seeded by about now. Carol

February 16, 2011	#8
Dutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: S.E. Wisconsin Zone 5b Posts: 1,831	Thanks, I'll start my peppers this week.

February 16, 2011	#9
roper2008 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Virginia Bch, VA (7b) Posts: 1,337	Tam91, Jalapeno M is a favorite of many. I'll be trying it for the first time this year.

February 17, 2011	#14
ireilly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 344	Yes, my fridge is also not warm on top. I do have a gas-fired furnace though and when it colder a couple weeks ago, right on top it is nice and toasty, especially the closer you get to the exhaust flue. I just move them around and closer or further to adjust the temperature. I put them in a can that the label is pulled off of, to sort of even the heat out. But that went out the window when our temps went up in the 60s and 70s this week. I'm hoping most of the colder weather is over but there will usually be one more snap at least before spring. Someone else mentioned their DirectTV box was nice and warm. Usually something that stays on or runs on and off constantly is what you need if you have no heating mat (which I do not). Remember too that an incandescent light puts out most of its light in the infrared (heat) range so you could use a lamp and just put your baggies into a black plastic bag like a thick trash bag, and beam the light down on it. Probably not much more cost than running a heating mat. Cheaper to use something already emitting heat into your living space though. And maybe you are starting in flats or other, so these comments may not apply directly....