Chilli seeds not germinating

[ChilliFlower]

I sowed 20 little chocolate habanero seedlings from South Devon Chilli Farm on 11th of February in half-trays, with coir peat-free mix from the same place. I kept it warm, kept spraying the soil due to evaporation, and placed in my indoor greenhouse.

Since then, only a single little seedling has sprouted, and it wilted on putting up until I changed the soil to some John Innes No.2 (it is much stronger now, thank goodness, it was perhaps dehydrated). In contrast, my razzamatazz seeds have given me 4 seedlings that have been potted up, one still emerging, one that needs to unfurl its leaves stillz and one that appears to be wearing its own seed as a hat, so 7 out of 19 clearly coming out.

I know it was warned that chocolate habaneros can be difficult to germinate, but I am a little heattbroken. Should I leave them alone? Should I dig out the seeds and place them in a different soil? Are they just done or not going to come out? I really want to try before ordering another pack, this was the variety I was really looking forward to!

[Small pumpkin]

First thing you need is more patience. Chillies can take a long time to germinate.
Second thing is temp. How warm is your indoor greenhouse? You need a minimum of 20 degrees.
Personally I’m not a fan of coir peat free. Especially not for germinating. I just use MPC.

[Bonjour]

As Small Pumpkin said, patience is needed when it comes to peppers and chillies. I sowed my Jalapenos in early February, in a propagator, on a heat mat at around 21 degrees and finally, after 23 days, the first two of eight seeds popped up.

I'm still waiting (impatiently) for my California Wonder and Ramiro peppers to germinate.

[Scarlet]

Wot she said and ^^^ MPC for me
-
Also sounds as if things may be a bit too dry? Especially as the seed case is still on.

[toomanytommytoes]

My pepper seeds have germinated really well in a coir-based mix (70% coir, 20% vermicompost, 5% perlite, 5% vermiculite). The habaneros really liked the heat (30°C) on top of the boiler.

Seed helmets I associate with not enough moisture/growing media being too loose/seeds being sown too shallowly. Have you tried covering the soil surface with a plastic bag or dome to keep the moisture in?

[ChilliFlower]

Well well well ... the second I post this, I check this morning, and 2 seedlings have germinated! It seems that water and time may be the primary factors, and I thank everyone for pointing it out.

I DO have a half-lid dome for the trays, I alternate between keeping it on or off to prevent mold growing.

I need to get a proper thermometer for the indoor greenhouse, the one I have turns out to be broken.

[toomanytommytoes]

If your seedlings don't well I will probably have 2 spare that you are welcome to have.

[ChilliFlower]

Toomanytommytoes: Thank you so much for the offer, but so far I have 5 habanero seedlings repotted!! 5/20, and there are 4 Razzamatazz that are alread potted, and 4 that are ready but I need to get more John Innes No.2. Time and a bit more water seems to have been doing the trick!

[ChilliFlower]

Turns out they were just taking their time!! 6 seedlings are waiting for new pots, and 10 have been repotted out of 20 seeds in total! The Razzamatazz are also doing well, 1 still has a seed cap, and 12 have been repotted out of 19 seeds

[Small pumpkin]

Turns out they were just taking their time!! 6 seedlings are waiting for new pots, and 10 have been repotted out of 20 seeds in total! The Razzamatazz are also doing well, 1 still has a seed cap, and 12 have been repotted out of 19 seeds

So what you going to do with the Massive amount of chillies you’re going to get from that many plants

[ChilliFlower]

Hehe, going to give most of them away! I grow for the pleasure and challenge, not for the fruits, so I'll either be giving away or selling the resulting chillis

[Small pumpkin]

Hehe, going to give most of them away! I grow for the pleasure and challenge, not for the fruits, so I'll either be giving away or selling the resulting chillis

Yeah I do something like that

[ameno]

I've been having almost the opposite problem. My chilli seeds all came up very quickly, but my sweet pepper seeds are still showing no sign of doing anything...

[jdlondon]

Just wanted to say that I plonked in a wilted/rotting store bought rocket chilli in a wet tissue, which was then put into a plastic food bag, and left near a window in the lounge - and seedlings came through in about 10 days. I occasionally opened the bag to spritz with water, but other than that, did nothing.

Got about 20 seedlings growing happily in some compost now. Thinking of trying some outside and overwintering in the raised bed, covered up of course, just to see how they do.