Time to Remove Peppers?

AlittleSalt · January 19, 2015

I planted these peppers on January 9th in pro mix and MG seed starting potting soil mixed. No heat mat - just a 70W hooded light about 2.5' above them. They started coming up Saturday 17th.

I'm new to growing peppers from seed using a plastic dome. I'm thinking it is time to remove these from the dome. However, asking you all seems more logical. Is it time? Or do I need to wait?

BigVanVader · January 19, 2015

Id remove mine at that size.

KarenO · January 19, 2015

Hi Salt, definitely I would remove the dome as it is blocking the light. Not sure what type of light that is but your seedlings look a little bit stretched and need to be closer to your light with no dome. Even a clear dome (or greenhouse walls, plastic) filter out a lot of the light spectrum before it reaches plants.
If I use a cover, I do remove it when the first seedling emerges.
They will be fine with no cover, more light and air circulation.
I bet you will have the best peppers ever and it is so fun and satisfying to grow them yourself right from seed.
KarenO

Bristolgarden · January 19, 2015

Agree with the above. When I use a cover on mine I remove it as soon as the first seedlings emerge and get them within a couple inches of the lights.

AlittleSalt · January 19, 2015

I removed the covers and found even more that are up that were not an hour ago. Also two Litchi tomatoes.

Ones that have sprouted are:

Aji Amarillo
Big Jim Lumbre
Thai Chili
Cherry Red
Cherry Bomb
Chocolate Cherry Bomb
Guajillo
Lautchauer
Orange Suave
Shi-Shi-To

This is fun.

noinwi · January 20, 2015

Time to add a small fan for circulation and to strengthen the stems...all they need is a gentle breeze.

AlittleSalt · January 23, 2015

I did add the fan, and experimented with some lights we use in our shops. Yesterday I added on to a built-in computer desk and put in two 4' florescent light fixtures on chains. The lights are hanging a couple inches above the plants. The four tubes/bulbs are 40W each and are the standard florescent type. (Not the cool-white type)

January 19, 2015	#2
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Id remove mine at that size.

January 19, 2015	#3
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	Hi Salt, definitely I would remove the dome as it is blocking the light. Not sure what type of light that is but your seedlings look a little bit stretched and need to be closer to your light with no dome. Even a clear dome (or greenhouse walls, plastic) filter out a lot of the light spectrum before it reaches plants. If I use a cover, I do remove it when the first seedling emerges. They will be fine with no cover, more light and air circulation. I bet you will have the best peppers ever and it is so fun and satisfying to grow them yourself right from seed. KarenO

January 19, 2015	#4
Bristolgarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern,In Posts: 12	Agree with the above. When I use a cover on mine I remove it as soon as the first seedlings emerge and get them within a couple inches of the lights.

January 19, 2015	#5
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I removed the covers and found even more that are up that were not an hour ago. Also two Litchi tomatoes. Ones that have sprouted are: Aji Amarillo Big Jim Lumbre Thai Chili Cherry Red Cherry Bomb Chocolate Cherry Bomb Guajillo Lautchauer Orange Suave Shi-Shi-To This is fun.

January 20, 2015	#6
noinwi Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: PNW Posts: 486	Time to add a small fan for circulation and to strengthen the stems...all they need is a gentle breeze.

January 23, 2015	#7
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I did add the fan, and experimented with some lights we use in our shops. Yesterday I added on to a built-in computer desk and put in two 4' florescent light fixtures on chains. The lights are hanging a couple inches above the plants. The four tubes/bulbs are 40W each and are the standard florescent type. (Not the cool-white type)