best time to plant chilli seeds?

[Chilli-head Huw]

I have harvested all my chillies and want to use some of the seeds to grow more next year. What is the best method for preparing the seeds for planting and when is the best time to plant? I have several different varieties and know some take longer to germinate than others. I started late this year and want to get ahead of the game next year.

[Scarlet]

I start off my super hot chillies in January. Cayennes in early March.

When you saved your seed from this years chillies did you make sure they were isolated from each other as chillies and peppers will quite happily cross pollinate?

[Bren In Pots]

I have harvested all my chillies and want to use some of the seeds to grow more next year. What is the best method for preparing the seeds for planting and when is the best time to plant? I have several different varieties and know some take longer to germinate than others. I started late this year and want to get ahead of the game next year.

Have a go at over wintering your this years chilli plants that way you'll have the head start you want.

[Scarlet]

Yep! Overwintered plants usually give a much better crop in the second year.

There are several good chilli threads on herealready.http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...nts_71424.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...one_67644.html

[Bill HH]

Just as an idle question, I have some chillies in the freezer, if i thawed them out would the seeds be viable?

[Scarlet]

I think it depends what they are stored in. I stored my pea seeds in the freezer because I had some trouble with weevils. But they were in a tub to stop them absorbing any water. I'd still give it a go though.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Thanks, Scarlet, for the superhots, answer. But do you use grow lights? I've got the heated prop waiting, but won't have lights. Worried about the light levels and legginess.

I plan to sow my seeds, for both superhots and others, mid jan, early feb. Did that this year, and it was a lovely crop. I did try sowing boxing day one year.

[Scarlet]

No grow lights here HH, I use a heated prop for germination and then pop them on my shelves in my bay window with some days out in the greenhouse if the temperatures are ok. They may not start fruiting as early as ones grown under lights but I seem to get good crops regardless, even if it's a little later than others.

[bravo2zero]

I sow mine as all my greenhouse toms chillies(superhots included) etc 1st week in march in a heated propagator,once germinated they are transferred to greenhouse at allotment with a little heat.

[The Cobra]

Big question. Yesterday I sowed 4 types of chilli seeds, all hot varieties - Naga Jolokia, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet and Tobasco. They were sown into small dishes, in compost and covered with cling film. They are now sat on the windowsill and I don't expect the temp to deviate much from 18-22 degrees. I was going to order a heated propagator, but read the temp given by them is between 18-20 degrees, which I believe I will sustain anyway. So my question is can I expect these seeds to germinate well? And also, how often to I give the compost a water, under the cling film?

[horticultural_hobbit]

Mine are in the heated prop, cobra. I too have a couple of Superhots in there. Some of them do need 27-28 degrees which is a heated prop and grow lights are recommended. Mine have been a couple of weeks and I've only had one-Serrano-comes out of there as a baby. Waiting for the rest to come through and watching patiently. Choc habanero has been trying to crack its seed case and I can see it at the surface. These do take time though.


www.horticulturalhobbit.com
http://twitter.com/#!/HorticulturalH
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Horti...085870?sk=info

[The Cobra]

Mine are in the heated prop, cobra. I too have a couple of Superhots in there. Some of them do need 27-28 degrees which is a heated prop and grow lights are recommended. Mine have been a couple of weeks and I've only had one-Serrano-comes out of there as a baby. Waiting for the rest to come through and watching patiently. Choc habanero has been trying to crack its seed case and I can see it at the surface. These do take time though.


horticulturalhobbit | 'obbitry of the horticultural kind
http://twitter.com/#!/HorticulturalH
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Horti...085870?sk=info

Thanks for the reply HH. I see now. Well I guess I'll have to just let them do their thing and see if anything happens, and keep the fingers crossed!!

[horticultural_hobbit]

A pleasure. Have actually got all those you have listed, in the heated Prop so we shall see what happens.


www.horticulturalhobbit.com
http://twitter.com/#!/HorticulturalH
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Horti...085870?sk=info

[Paul Bromley]

As a complete beginner this is my first bash at Chilli plants, I sowed Jalapeño , and Ring of Fire seeds three weeks ago and a miniature variety Basket of Fire ten days ago in my heated propagator, I am using a large philips daylight lamp as an experimental grow light . The photo shows how they have fared, the small ones at the back are the basket of fire, I read so much conflicting advice about when to sow that I went ahead figuring I could give it another bash if all goes to hell ! Here on the IOM our frost free dates are in front of mainland UK so hope to be able to get them in the glasshouse 2nd week april.Fingers crossed I can do this LOL !!

[Ja9]

They look like they are coming on well.Mine are at a similar stage and have just potted them on into single pots. Moved out of the heated propagator now and into a windowsill in doors as trying to heat the greenhouse to at least 10oC seems a little excessive!
Has anyone sown Aubergines yet? I have, as always seem to run out of the summer and end up with disappointingly small fruit ,so going for an early start this year.
Paul do you have a very big greenhouse for all those chilli plants?!!