Chilli seeds now

[tumbling tom]

Its not too late to start them now is it?

Had a hit and miss germination from the ones that I did 3 weeks ago, some hooks showing this morning though, so was thinking of trying the old paper towel trick tonight. Should be OK dont you think?

[Victoria26]

I started mine last week in unheated propagators and have several little 'tails' on my seeds

I never do mine on kitchen towel unless its parsnips. I'd just pop them in a pot with soil and a little cellophane - Stick them in! Your not too late x

[airpot grower]

around 90% of my chilli and peppers have tap roots within 48hs . but i germ my seeds with damp paper towel and inside take away tubs . also all mine will be under a light untill 6 to 8" tall then out to the greenhouse (when i buy 1 lol )

[tumbling tom]

When they germinate on the paper how do transplant them to soil. I mean do you just bury the whole thing?

[Victoria26]

Once the seeds get a little tap root on the seed it is clear it has germanated, therefore you can prick it out and pot it up. you'll soon see a seedling appear and bobs your uncle.

I try not to give them too much love as ive found the less i care about them the more they try and impress me! lol! x

[Alison]

It depends on what sort of chillies you're growing as to whether you are too late and also where you are intending to grow them. The longer season ones are difficult at the best of time and needed to be sowed just after New Year and kept indoors / in heat until the weather warms up plenty. Other types can be sown much later but to be honest you are running rather late now so fingers crossed for a good Indian summer.

[Kristen]

When they germinate on the paper how do transplant them to soil. I mean do you just bury the whole thing?

If they just have a root on the surface [of the paper] you can just lift them off, make a little hole in the potting compost (e.g. with a pencil), pop them in and gently push the compost around and over them.

If they have rooted through the paper the easiest way is to just tear the paper around them and plant seed+paper together. The paper will soon rot away and won't bother the plant.

Whatever you find works for you that doesn't damage the root

[tumbling tom]

Success!!!

Tried about 20 odd jalapeno seeds on Thursday and they all seemed to have germinated, they got a little white bit sticking out the pointy bit of the seed (technical talk huh).

Now do I pot them now? Do I put the little bit poking out downwards?

Thanks for everyones help so far btw.

[Two_Sheds]

they got a little white bit sticking out the pointy bit ...Do I put the little bit poking out downwards?

It's the root, so yes

[Florence Fennel]

Wish you luck with this, it is a bit late for chillies, but your success with germination might be a good omen. I also treat them mean to keep them keen. It's worked so far.

[tumbling tom]

Ok am gonna pot them up today and they seemed to have tripled in size since I checked them on Sunday, lol. Am well chuffed with by the way condidering how I had only a 10% hit rate in soil.

Now this may sound a bit thick but I have taken some photos hoping for a last bit of advice. Do I just push them into the soil leavining the growing bit covered up or poking out. Sorry if that question sounds silly.





@FlorenceFennel Am Not to worried about it being late as I remeber buying some plug jajlapeno plants last year in May and then leaving them in a little pot till probably late June before putting them in a large container. Thought I had stunted their growth quite a bit by doing that but they thrived and I got over a hundred chillis from the 2 plants in late August early September, so have got my fingers crossed for the same.