Very low germination rate (just 1 out of 15) across 3 types of chilli :(

[nomis]

Im not having much luck

NB - I've had no problems with my 5 types of tomato, my butternut squash, garlic and various other things - so I do not think I am totally incompetent

The chillies however I have only had one seed germinate so far.

I took 4 or 5 of each:

- Chocolate Habanero
- Bhut Jokalia
- Peperancino

Placed between damp kitchen roll, then inside plastic containers next to a warm radiator. They get quite warm and condensation can be seen inside.

This was just over 3 weeks ago. Only one of the Chocolate Habaneros has become a seedling. I have potted it and its a couple of inches tall now, doing well. The other two types I have had zero germination.

Is it safe to say that after 4 weeks of not germinating they are probably duff?


Help

Could it just be bad luck on the seeds? I ordered from South Devon.


Ive since ordered an electric heated germination windowsill box off ebay so maybe my next lot will be ok.






I have an unopened packet of twilights but will not touch them until progress with the above.

[Shadylane]

Do you have an airing cupboard? I always put mine in wee pots of compost (yoghurt pots this year) and stick them in there and they pretty much all germinate - usually 1 to 2 weeks. Are the seeds in the container still ok or have they gone mouldy? They could be dodgy seeds in which case I would contact the supplier.

[nerdgas]

I've not found a need to use tissue paper to germinate chillis.

They get usually get put one seed per jiffy pellet and then either in the prop or in a tray on the radiator (is important to not let the pellets dry out - although don't overdo it).

I've had a pretty decent germination rate like this (somewhere around 70-80% at least).

That said I did have some Tepin that I only managed to get one of four to germinate..........

[HotStuff]

nomis, firstly welcome to the Vine

I sow my Chilli seeds direct into compost in a heated propagator and so far the time from sowing to them showing their heads has varied from 4 to 40 days. It's only my third year growing Chillies, so there are others on here with a lot more knowledge than me, but I believe some varieties take a lot longer to germinate than others and also require warmer and more consistant temperatures. Personallly I've had very little luck with Habaneros so far.

So at 4 weeks there may still be a chance.

[Nicos]

This site says up to 6 weeks to germinate!!!

Don't give up yet!!!

Chilli Growing

[Flummery]

Mine just go in the compost. They are kept covered in a ploy bag (in the pot) and are generally up in 3 weeks. I don't think they need pre-germination. I always feel you are likely to damage growing points when planting pre-germionated seedlings. I think the presence of compost around the seed helps to maintain the moisure and humudity at good levels without encouraging rot.

Have another go - good luck with them.

[Topcat36]

I just stuck mine inpots of compost last year and placed them on a sunny south facing window sill, they were slow but i just waited and i'd say most germinated.

[ginger ninger]

I always put my seeds straight into seed compost, I've never pre germinated them and 9 times out of 10 have got them to germinate, try putting them into moist not wet seed compost, in a warm place, airing cupboard's are ideal. At the end of the day they don't pre germinate in the wild!!!
Mind you...they don't sit in an airing cupboard neither .
Good Luck with them.

[Flummery]

Oh, how rude of me- I should have said, "Welcome to the Grapevine" - I've just noticed it was your first (but not, I hope, your last) post here!

[nomis]

Thanks Guys

We dont have an airing cupboard as we have an on-demand combi boiler, no hotwater tank

Ive got them on the radiator but its not on all day long.


I guess if nothing happens in another 3 weeks I will start over using a heated propagator and direct to small compost pots

If that doesnt work, then I'll try to send the seeds back to supplier

[ginger ninger]

Sorry for not saying it before, I got carried away...HELLO and WELCOME.
Pop your location on, that way its easer for peeps to give you advice for the area you live in, what does for someone in Cornwall's might be no good for someone in Inverness, if you know what I mean.

[Incy]

Nomis,
Don't give up yet as chillies can take ages to germinate. habaneros and Bhut Jolokias can be tricky as they like it really warm. I think my packet said around 32 degrees for Bhut Jolokia
If they haven't germinated by the time you get the heated prop I would transfer them into it to give them a chance unless you can see that the seeds have gone rotten.

[danmon_81]

Hello,

Chilli's can be hit or miss....you can bury them too deep, not have the right temperature, get a bad seed.....

A heated prop will be a big bonus, try a small pot, seed compost, only slightly buried, keep moist (place in a sandwich bag till they germinate)

The Bhut and Habenero are Chinense species that do require longer germination time and a higher germination temp (28*C)

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine, its my first time growing chilli plants the Orange Habaneros took 10 days for the first seedlings to appear then the others arrived up to 7 days later. Had similar results for my Scotch bonnets.
They were in a little heated propagator so maybe you'll have better results once your arrives.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Well I'll say hello and welcome first I was having a moan this morning about the same problem - this year has been flamin' awful with germination rates. 0% germination of Medusa chill, Peter Pepper chilli (really annoyed by this one), Orange Hab, Choc Habs, Lemon Drop, Pretty in Purple. 10% germination with Iranian Red chilli, Sweet Choc Peppers and Purple Skinned Peppers. Rest of my peppers/chillis/toms have fab germination rates. Very hit and miss. At least I'm not the only Grape suffering. Forgot to say I used a heated propagator.