Starter Mix for Peppers

[Black Krim]

Do peppers use the same starting mix as tomatos?? I had read they perfer NOT to start in peat.....I ve lost the note for this. thought everyone here would know. Thanks.

[rhines81]

Originally Posted by Black Krim

Do peppers use the same starting mix as tomatos?? I had read they perfer NOT to start in peat.....I ve lost the note for this. thought everyone here would know. Thanks.

Yes, peppers grow fine in the same mix as tomatoes. I have seen the website where they say never, ever use peat and I call balderdash on that. I've grown them successfully in peat plugs, jiffy potting mix and pro-mix which are all peat based and have never had issues. There is also a lot of other contradicting and mis- information on that same web site, but I won't critique it.

[pmcgrady]

I've started peppers in Jiffy Mix, Pro Mix and MG potting soil, no problems with any of them except the MG has had a lot of sticks mixed in it that need picked out.

[Worth1]

I have found the MG Organic Natures Care raised bed soil in the green bags mixed with perlite worked fantastic.
There is no what people would think of as soil in it.
And very few sticks if any.
For seed starting/sprouting I use Jiffy seed starting mix.

[roper2008]

I use pro-mix and jiffy pellets.

[Black Krim]

Thank you everyone!!!

[peppero]

You pays your money and takes your chances.

Jon

[kath]

Fwiw, mine seem to grow better in Jiffy Mix or grow pellets than in the ProMix BX that I use for everything else but I have no idea why.

[rhines81]

Originally Posted by kath

Fwiw, mine seem to grow better in Jiffy Mix or grow pellets than in the ProMix BX that I use for everything else but I have no idea why.

I only use the ProMix when I pot them up and it seems to be just fine, but the plant is still sitting in a big Dixie cup sized plug of root-bound Jiffy Mix when that happens

[kath]

Originally Posted by rhines81

I only use the ProMix when I pot them up and it seems to be just fine, but the plant is still sitting in a big Dixie cup sized plug of root-bound Jiffy Mix when that happens

Thanks- good to know.

[HudsonValley]

I think it depends on which seed starting mix you have. I had a lot of trouble getting hot peppers to germinate in regular seed starting mix (an organic one from Espoma) when I first started growing from seed. I switched to coconut coir and it solved the problem. YMMV.

[rhines81]

Originally Posted by HudsonValley

I think it depends on which seed starting mix you have. I had a lot of trouble getting hot peppers to germinate in regular seed starting mix (an organic one from Espoma) when I first started growing from seed. I switched to coconut coir and it solved the problem. YMMV.

Seeds germinate without issue in a wet paper towel or coffee filter. They only need heat and moisture to pop. What you use for Germination is not important. Initial growing media is also not too important, they need light and heat and 'something' to spread their roots in. After getting a few true leaves - then they need the nutrients and good stuff.

[Black Krim]

Originally Posted by HudsonValley

I think it depends on which seed starting mix you have. I had a lot of trouble getting hot peppers to germinate in regular seed starting mix (an organic one from Espoma) when I first started growing from seed. I switched to coconut coir and it solved the problem. YMMV.

I had poor germination rates...like zero until last year, when I used a different growing medium for the peppers than the tomatos.

[Father'sDaughter]

I gave up on seed starter mix after trying DE. However, this year I decided to go with coir for peppers and eggplants. Coir is what I would up-pot them to from the DE, so I said, why not start them in what they would end up in anyway?

[Black Krim]

FOUND MY NOTE. Do not use peat to start peppers.

Started 12 varieties in baggies with damp paper towel. Fingers crossed.