Chilli & peppers

[anthonyjb]

These were sown on jan 1st temp 28c probagator covered over at night with fleece
To help retain heat

Ajbwhite

[Lisasbolt]

looking very nice

[TrysHard]

I have some old (not sure how old) saved Marconi pepper seeds came from an old boy who died a few years ago. His wife gave me his seed box I am trying to grow some so she can have one of the plants.

I have tried normal germination heated prop etc - and seed soaking no joy The paper towel method - 1 out of 12 germinated - now plant just under the surface of a compost vermiculite mix.

Any tips especially on planting the chitted seeds or any thing else to aid success.

Thanks

[TrysHard]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]53365[/ATTACH]

These were sown on jan 1st temp 28c probagator covered over at night with fleece
To help retain heat

Ajbwhite

They are ahead of mine by a quite a margin most of mine are just showing the first true leaf. But I started of with aubergines which all germinated quite quick Chillies and peppers not sown until late Jan..

[Bacchus]

I have some old (not sure how old) saved Marconi pepper seeds came from an old boy who died a few years ago. His wife gave me his seed box I am trying to grow some so she can have one of the plants.

I have tried normal germination heated prop etc - and seed soaking no joy The paper towel method - 1 out of 12 germinated - now plant just under the surface of a compost vermiculite mix.

Any tips especially on planting the chitted seeds or any thing else to aid success.

Thanks

That sounds as if the seeds are just old and past their best. I'd advise trying fresh seeds.

[Bacchus]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]53365[/ATTACH]

These were sown on jan 1st temp 28c probagator covered over at night with fleece
To help retain heat

Ajbwhite

When you say covered over at night - do you mean these are outside or in a greenhouse / polytunnel with a heated base?

[anthonyjb]

These are in the sun lounge.

Anthoyjb

[WilliamD]

Is that a Vitopod Anthony?

[anthonyjb]

William d

Yes it is
Anthonyjb

[WilliamD]

Excellent. Looks like it's doing a great job. I'm using some much more humble electric props but plan to upgrade to a Vitoprop at some point.

[TrysHard]

That sounds as if the seeds are just old and past their best. I'd advise trying fresh seeds.

I wanted to get a plant for the late gents wife from his saved seed.

If it was just me i'd use fresh seed these must be over 5 years old at least.

[SkyChild]

Why not just try and plant them all TrysHard? (using whatever method is usual for these things - I've never grown chillies or peppers from seed) I mean you're bound to get one, right?

[Kristen]

If you are desperate for germination from old / precious seed I would go with just-damp (not wet) cotton wool in a zip-lock bag. My preference is just-damp vermiculite (i.e. in zip-lock bag) but chums tell me that cotton wool works better. The aim is provide lots of oxygen for the seeds, and 100% humidity rather than lots of moisture, per say. Old seed is likely to be slow germinating, and the risk of rotting/mould is much greater as a consequence, hence keep up the humidity and reducing the direct moisture contact.

My preference for Vermiculite is because I think it has some anti-fungal properties. You could moisten the cotton wool / vermiculite with an anti-fungal solution (something suitable for damping off, e.g. whatever the modern equivalent of Cheshunt Compound is)

[Kristen]

I mean you're bound to get one, right?

Pepper seed viability varies, but its typically quoted as 2 years. Kept in perfect conditions - dry, and chilled - then 5 years might be expected. I am doubting they were stored that well, but here's hoping. So 5 years is probably on the limit of viability and may well need "best endeavours" rather than sow-and-hope I reckon ...

[TrysHard]

I'll try the vermiculite method - and see what happens - I have a fair bit of seed and only need 1 - the Mohawk I sowed at the same time sowed 5 out of 6 germinated.