Propagator

[jimfin]

Hi All
I have just bought some Chilli Seeds, and after some reading, it seems like they are hard to germanate. Would a propagator help and what type would you recommend.
Thanks for and advice.

[SMS6]

A propagator would help but are you planning to sow these now? Don't peppers of all types need a long growing season?

Or are you planning to over winter them?

[Two_Sheds]

Jim, there's a few old threads on this, with recommendations. Here's one to get you started: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tor_25729.html

[gadgetman]

Chilli seeds are easy to propagate, and many varieties will loose very little during germination.

Best bet is to start them on a south facing windowsill around November. By May they'll be well established, and ready to go outside and you should start cropping around June/July.

I followed the instructions on the packet to start Feb, and they're still nowhere near ready!

[jimfin]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have a GH and will start them in Nov like Gadgetman sugests.
What wattage should I go for in a propagator?

[sarraceniac]

Chilli seeds are easy to propagate, and many varieties will loose very little during germination.

Best bet is to start them on a south facing windowsill around November. By May they'll be well established, and ready to go outside and you should start cropping around June/July.

I followed the instructions on the packet to start Feb, and they're still nowhere near ready!

Not always easy. Some of the hotter ones, Tepin, Naga, Habanero, can be an absolute pig. They also take longer to fruit. I have a Dorset Naga (1 from 10 seeds) that is in its first year. Not a single fruit whilst my Hot Cherries and Bird's Eyes are laden down. Must remember to over-winter in the house this year. A cold g.house just won't do.

[basketcase]

Daft question - how long do chillies live?

[falkon]

ok.. two weeks back I was in a super market and there were thai dried red chilli in packets... the seeds from the chilli packets were just all over the rack and floor. I just picked few seeds and throw then in the diy propagator ( using plasitc cookie box) and nearly all of them germinated. I now have 15 chilli plant seedlings and I m thinking to overwinter them.....
Bageechah: chilli seed germinated in couple of days

[chriscross1966]

Daft question - how long do chillies live?

They're perrennials, cut them back about a third and bring them into the house, treat as a houseplant on a bright windowsill through the winter, back out to the GH when the tomatos are planting out.....

You might need to be a bit brutal in the subsequent years to syop themn getting straggly but a friend of mine kept one of mine for four years as a houseplant ...Apache iirc...

chrisc

[Kittypickle]

Oh good grief, I hope DH doesn't read this or we will be over run with his chillis on the window sill and there isn't enough space and it will look like a jungle !

I made a home made propagator this year with an old indian take away container lined with damp tissue, a hot water bottle and my cool bag. Worked a treat on my pumpkin and sweetcorn seeds which germinated startlingly quickly. Was planning to try with the chillis and pepper seeds that I got at Wyedale for 50p next year.

[basketcase]

They're perrennials, cut them back about a third and bring them into the house, treat as a houseplant on a bright windowsill through the winter, back out to the GH when the tomatos are planting out.....

You might need to be a bit brutal in the subsequent years to syop themn getting straggly but a friend of mine kept one of mine for four years as a houseplant ...Apache iirc...

chrisc

Thanks Chris! They're houseplants already (no greenhouse )

[gadgetman]

I've got a stewarts controllable temp propagator. Helped no end avoiding damping off on some flower seeds that the previous year I lost nearly all of when using an always on one.

IMO well worth the money for any serious seed grower.