Started Very Hots

whoose · January 28, 2018

After a poor season last year with very hots I am jumping the gun as recommended. My understanding I can expect low germination rates and slow growth. What is your experience?

Father'sDaughter · January 28, 2018

I'm starting mine in two weeks for plant out at the beginning of June.

Last year I decided to wait and started them in mid-March. It was the lowest pepper production year I've ever had, which is why I'm going back to starting them in February. And yes, slower germination and the only seeds I find bottom heat necessary for. Even then, I've had some take about two weeks to germinate.

Salsacharley · January 28, 2018

I'm starting super hots this week. They do much better with bottom heat and lots of patience. I'm going to soak seeds for about 5 hours before I sow this year.

BigVanVader · January 28, 2018

I've never had issues with pepper germination. I use a heat mat and sow in moist potting mix then cover with press & seal. I always start them Feb 1st.

Cole_Robbie · January 30, 2018

Yeah, they like heat. I have never had problems either, but I use a big grow light that heats up the room. I also like the ridiculously expensive Light Warrior seed starting mix, which I dilute. Most of my seeds get covered in vermiculite. I hardly notice a difference in germination and growth rates between my sweet peppers and my super hots, at least until they go out into the greenhouse and are exposed to cold nights. Then the difference is substantial. I start them late and not early for that reason. The early spring cold weather will stunt them.

ScottinAtlanta · January 30, 2018

Agree with others. About 75-85 degrees in the tray.

pondgardener · January 30, 2018

How about soaking seeds for a period of time? Methods? Benefits? Results?

George

clkeiper · January 30, 2018

I started my Bhut Jolakias this past week. they are already germinated. yipee! they are sloooow growers.

FourOaks · February 6, 2018

This year, I measured the potting mix temp. 82 degrees. I kept the trays covered with domes. Those trays were on TOP of t8 ballasts with plastic draped down to trap the heat and humidity.

4 Days, Habs. popped up. Fastest ever for me.

(whole other discussion as to whether or not Habs are "super hots" or not)

Gerardo · February 6, 2018

Some superhots are heartier, Trinidad Scorpion Choc comes to mind, as does regular Bhut Jolokia.

Tasmanian Habanero has great germ rates (not superhots but a cousin) .

whoose · February 15, 2018

2 of 6 sprouted? I guess this is not too good.

Rajun Gardener · February 15, 2018

Give it time, some take longer and I've had some sprout 3 weeks after the others.
Patience Grasshopper!!

clkeiper · February 15, 2018

I ended up with about 50 germinated. I pulled the peppers off the plant and smashed them up and plopped them in the potting mix. No idea how many seeds I started with but it is the most I have ever gotten to germinate.

January 28, 2018	#1
whoose Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bozeman, Montana Zone 6b Posts: 333	Started Very Hots After a poor season last year with very hots I am jumping the gun as recommended. My understanding I can expect low germination rates and slow growth. What is your experience?

January 30, 2018	#7
pondgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 361	How about soaking seeds for a period of time? Methods? Benefits? Results? George __________________ “Live as if you'll die tomorrow, but farm as if you'll live forever.” Old Proverb

January 30, 2018	#8
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I started my Bhut Jolakias this past week. they are already germinated. yipee! they are sloooow growers. __________________ carolyn k

February 15, 2018	#11
whoose Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bozeman, Montana Zone 6b Posts: 333	not good 2 of 6 sprouted? I guess this is not too good.

February 15, 2018	#13
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I ended up with about 50 germinated. I pulled the peppers off the plant and smashed them up and plopped them in the potting mix. No idea how many seeds I started with but it is the most I have ever gotten to germinate. __________________ carolyn k

January 28, 2018	#2
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I'm starting mine in two weeks for plant out at the beginning of June. Last year I decided to wait and started them in mid-March. It was the lowest pepper production year I've ever had, which is why I'm going back to starting them in February. And yes, slower germination and the only seeds I find bottom heat necessary for. Even then, I've had some take about two weeks to germinate.

January 28, 2018	#3
Salsacharley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,052	I'm starting super hots this week. They do much better with bottom heat and lots of patience. I'm going to soak seeds for about 5 hours before I sow this year.

January 28, 2018	#4
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	I've never had issues with pepper germination. I use a heat mat and sow in moist potting mix then cover with press & seal. I always start them Feb 1st.

January 30, 2018	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Yeah, they like heat. I have never had problems either, but I use a big grow light that heats up the room. I also like the ridiculously expensive Light Warrior seed starting mix, which I dilute. Most of my seeds get covered in vermiculite. I hardly notice a difference in germination and growth rates between my sweet peppers and my super hots, at least until they go out into the greenhouse and are exposed to cold nights. Then the difference is substantial. I start them late and not early for that reason. The early spring cold weather will stunt them.

January 30, 2018	#6
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	Agree with others. About 75-85 degrees in the tray.

February 6, 2018	#9
FourOaks Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NC Posts: 511	This year, I measured the potting mix temp. 82 degrees. I kept the trays covered with domes. Those trays were on TOP of t8 ballasts with plastic draped down to trap the heat and humidity. 4 Days, Habs. popped up. Fastest ever for me. (whole other discussion as to whether or not Habs are "super hots" or not)

February 6, 2018	#10
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,598	Some superhots are heartier, Trinidad Scorpion Choc comes to mind, as does regular Bhut Jolokia. Tasmanian Habanero has great germ rates (not superhots but a cousin) .

February 15, 2018	#12
Rajun Gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tomato Cornhole Posts: 2,550	Give it time, some take longer and I've had some sprout 3 weeks after the others. Patience Grasshopper!!