chilli / pepper plant advice

[fiskies]

I've taken great care of my chillis and pepper seedlings in my small heated prop and at present their about 2" high at the first leaf stage but some of the Roberta F1 pepper seedling have started to wilt and fall over and I really don't want the others to go the same way. The lid is always on and they are kept on a warm window sill with plenty of light.

What am i doing wrong, is it too hot, do they need potting on, deeper, more water, can I save the Roberta's before it's too late, please help someone I was so looking forward to al my chillis and peppers I dont' want it to be a failure?

[HotStuff]

Once they're up they don't need so much heat, but they do need light. If they're in a heated prop on a sunnny windowsill they may be getting too warm during the day, particularly if you've left the lid on. Also with the lid on are you getting lots of condensation? It could be they've succumbed to damping off. Is there any sign of fungus or mould?

[Scarlet]

I agree, too hot. As soon as mine poke through the soil I take them out of the propagator and put them on a sunny windowsil. In the evening i move them onto a table in the room to keep them out of the draught.

[fiskies]

Thanks guys. I'll take the lid off the prop and turn it off for what's left in there. I've taken one of each plant and put them deeper into a 3"pot on a sunny window sill, I hope it works.

[fiskies]

No fungus or mould, they were looking really healthy.

[fiskies]

Above is the Roberta F1, which seem to be the worst.

In the row at the back are the F1 Apache Chillis.


Here are the Californian Wonder Peppers

[Kristen]

If the window is on the right them leaning over like that is a sure sign they are not getting enough light. They look a bit "leggy" too (but when you pot them on your can plant them right up to the first / seed leaves, which will help - but if they don't get more light any growth above that will be elongated too)

Put a mirror, or a cardboard box with tinfoil attached, behind them to reflect more light onto them.

[Two_Sheds]

Just as the others have said really:

- take them out of the heated prop as soon as they're up
- move them to the lightest possible place (mine are on windowsills daytime, but brought inside after dark, for the warmth)

[fiskies]

I have taken them all out of the prop now except two surplus Apache's but it's turned off with top off. All are in individual 3"pots on the south facing window sill and although they wilted alittle last night after transport and a bit of water, they're all up and perky with the sun this morning.

[VirginVegGrower]

Above is the Roberta F1, which seem to be the worst.

In the row at the back are the F1 Apache Chillis.


Here are the Californian Wonder Peppers

They just look to be bending towards the light - keep turning them or try the tin foil trick. Personally I just turn mine each night.

[jojo2910]

I put some seeds in the heated prop but they seemed to have dried out. SHould I just bin and start again or if I keep watering them, do you think they will start growing?

[FionaH]

Jojo I have to water mine sometimes in a heated prop. Otherwise they dry out long before the can germinate

[Claire72]

After seeing this, I am really keen to grow some chillis too, do I have to have a heated propogator? I dont have one, but I do have those windowsill propogator units with modules, would that be ok?
Also, my windows have fabulous deep windowsills and are double glazed, so no draughts, will I still need to bring them into the room every night?

[Kristen]

Chillis need a bit of heat to encourage them to germinate.

Mine took just under 2 weeks to germinate, so you could stick them in the airing cupboard for at least a week without worrying too much about them germinating when you weren't expecting it. Check the daily though.

Put the seed tray / module in a plastic bag - it won't then need any more water (as the water can't go anywhere ). Open the bag off as soon as they germinate, and put them in a good light place, and then remove the bag after a day or two.

[Claire72]

Chillis need a bit of heat to encourage them to germinate.

Mine took just under 2 weeks to germinate, so you could stick them in the airing cupboard for at least a week without worrying too much about them germinating when you weren't expecting it. Check the daily though.

Put the seed tray / module in a plastic bag - it won't then need any more water (as the water can't go anywhere ). Open the bag off as soon as they germinate, and put them in a good light place, and then remove the bag after a day or two.

I dont have an airing cupboard either, might look on ebay for heated propogators