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Chili seed - poor germination

InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
in Problem solving
I have tried for a few years to grow chilis from the seed from plants bought in the supermarket, but germination is usually poor and they damp off very easily. Any ideas anyone. I always grow them in heat. Should I buy seed? I have heard that they germinate better if kept dry and warm for a month before sowing.
Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,968
    Many of the peppers at the grocery store are picked immature.. the best seeds are saved from fruit ripened past maturity on the plant.  
    Utah, USA.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,029
    I bought seeds, not expensive and you get a much better choice of plants and mine have all germinated well
  • Manc_Debi.Manc_Debi. Posts: 82
    I bought Ring of Fire seeds. Never grown chillies before but 7 germinated and are now nearly a foot high. I germinated them on top of the fridge. Waiting for warmer weather then they'll go in the growhouse.
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,029
    Ring of Fire??? Sounds exciting but a bit risky? 
  • Manc_Debi.Manc_Debi. Posts: 82
    I like hot chillies but OH doesn't. I'll tell him they're mild ones and see if 'R of F' lives upto it's name  >:)
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,029
    We are the other way hubby loves hot I prefer mild so I have tried both sorts. One is purple apparently can't wait to see that! 
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,968
    debs64 said:
    Ring of Fire??? Sounds exciting but a bit risky? 
    It's not so much how hot they taste.. but rather the sensation of their exit.   :s
    Utah, USA.
  • InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
    Hehehe, I'm not sure I like the idea of an exit sensation....
    Looks like immature seed gets the vote. I just got some ripe Bhut Jolokias from a gardening friend, big fat red H bombs with tons of seed. I've dosed them with copper and zinc sulphate, then washed them and put them in jiffy pots, 3 to a pot. If this doesn't work, I'll just let him grow them!
    Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.
  • AlchemistAlchemist Posts: 273
    Inglezinho, sounds like it may be too warm and humid. Once germinated I remove propogator lid and heat mat and water sparsely with room temp water letting them slightly dry in between in a bright window sill. Grow a variety of them this way and has worked so far. Also cant recommend fattali chilli enough.  In addition to reminding what you ate at exit, it 😄 has a lovely citrus flavour to it. Amazon has loads of cheap (99p-1.5gbp)chilli seeds all of which has come true in my hands. 
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