What am I doing wrong this year?

[Munch]

Last year I successfully grew tomatos and chillis all from seed. No issues at all.

This year I have sown nearly 100 seeds all chilli and tomato. NONE have germinated. The first batch I did in a heated propagator and gave up after 35 days
The second batch I have done in my blowaway (same as last year) and they have been in there for 20 days and still nothing.

The seeds are all a mix of last years and newly bought this year. 5 chilli varieties and 5 tomato varieties. Some of the tomato seeds I got from the vine and they have all gone now .

I cant believe what is (or isnt) happening. Its so depressing

Please, any advice?

Does anyone have any handy tips?

[Flummery]

What compost are you using? Are you keeping it wet (I don't, I moisten it to start with and I then keep it on the dry side). Don't know what else to suggest. Mine germinated on the windowsill, just covered with polythese bags.

[Nibbler]

Oh no that's really sad. How annoying for you. I'm not very experienced, but I would say don't give up on the second batch yet. If they are wet I'd let them dry out a bit, if a bit on the dry or crusty side spray with water, then I'd put them in poly bags and put them on a warm windowsill or on top of the boiler / in airing cupboard. Some of my chillies didn't do anything and I think it was because I didn't soak the seeds first, in fact many which did germinate got stuck in the little seed husks and just died. I couldn't take them off without damaging the cotyledons it was so frustrating. Good luck, hope you get lots more ideas.

[bearded bloke]

Munch,are you wanting particlar varieties ?
if these are suitable.......
Marmande (beef)
Minibell (cherry)
Roma VM (plum)
PM me your details & I will send you 15 of each
15 because I use trays with that many cells filled loosely with potting compost (John Innes #2) tapped down,put a seed in each top up level & tap down again,dampen the compost & put on polythene lid.
Leave in unheated greenhouse shake condensates from lid into cell morning & evening,only adding water to the cells when there is not enough condensates to shake off.Using the above method has resulted in 12-14 cells germinating,which is rather better than I had planned for

Edit:should have said .. 12-14 cells of each variety germinating

[BigShot]

...many which did germinate got stuck in the little seed husks and just died. I couldn't take them off without damaging the cotyledons it was so frustrating.

I'm told a dab of saliva each time you pass is enough to soften the seed casing enough to let the plant break out (or remove it if things get desperate).
Apparently the digestive enzymes in the saliva break it down so it goes soft and lets go.

Not tried it myself, but there you have it.

[ginger ninger]

I germinate mine the same way to B.B and I've had a very good germination rate, some of my spares I'll be taking to the "Mini Grape stock". If they get a little on the dry side I just mist them, babies don't like to have there feet in too much water. If you'd like to try some more tomato/chilli seeds I have tones...just p.m me .

[Pies]

munch where abouts in kent, are you ive got some chilli plants and pepper plants spare if ur close enough

[Snadger]

As an experiment I haven't used a propagator or windowsill this year. Sown seeds in containers and bunged em in cold greenhouse. Only ones that hadn't germinated after three weeks were plum tomatoes,,,,,,,,sowed some more yesterday.........went to lottie today to find half a doz of the original had germinated.
Prognosis........sowing this way takes longer, is a bit more hit and miss but at least my windowsills aren't clogged up for months!

[Munch]

OMG! what a great response thank you.

I would love some more seeds BB and Ginge. I will PM you. You are all so lovely. Pies I am in Maidstone.

I will have to try the poly bag method. I just dont get it. Last year I just threw them all in John innes sowing compost (same as this year) and all was fine.

I know we have a lottie now so can grow more of everything but the one thing we LOVE most is chilli!

I cant believe it!

[taff]

Mine were a bit hit and miss this year too. I thought I'd overwatered before I threw them in plastic bags, so I took them out, kept them on the dry side, then wanged a load of water on them the day before yesterday. Lo and behold, everything I thought had rotted has suddenly sprung up [this stuff was sown about 3 weeks ago or slightly longer]
I think you can probably forget about the stuff int he propogator, but don't give up on the blowaway stuff yet. Check the moisture of what you're using to sow in, if it's old compost you're using, take a long sniff and see if you can smell any off-ness about it.
If it's new compost, is it fine enough so that when it's moist, the seeds are actually touching it, or are they floating around in big lumps of stuff...

[Munch]

Still nothing

Just about to order a load more chillis from here. Buy Vegetable Seeds They seem really good prices and PapaMunch ordered some and they arrives 2 days later and he has even had some frreebies as they was a small hicup with the order!!!

[bronwen]

I have seen a site where they offer (what seems to me) a large variety of chilli plants for sale, not seeds, which perhaps at this time of year would be better? Or is it not too late to sow the chillli's now?
clickhereforsite
I haven't ever ordered anything, but their range of chilli's, peppers, toms seems good
I haven't put a link on before, so I hope it works.