starting chillis

[Scarlet]

I live in an old "cold" house and I think it helps mine overwinter. My mum has her heating on full blast and often her plants get long sappy growth. Turn the heating down

[spamvindaloo]

I have used lights in the past and used them for 12 hours a day even though the plant was on a windowsill as the sunlight available just wasn't strong enough or consistent enough to keep the plant happy starting them earlier in the year. I did set the timer so that all of the sunlight was within the time period that the light was also on so that it got a full 12 hours of darkness too.

There are lots of opinions as to the ratio of light to dark to use. I just used 12/12 and I think they were okay but I only used it the one year. I will be using a growlight garden this year to stop seedlings getting leggy. I intend to use a 12/12 ratio again. I don't know if this is right, if anybody knows better please let me know.

[the big lebowski]

it sounds like we are in the same boat spam ,the main reason im not putting them on a 12/12 yet is because i dont want to trick the plants into thinking it is spring/summer yet i just want to give them more light but to keep them in sync with the light outside i will extend the light period as we go through the end of winter and into spring so when i put the plants out in may time they will be good to go ,please keep us posted as to how you get on and what sort of set up are you running ? cheers

[skeggijon]

My overwintering chilli plants seem fine without any extra light - in fact my Ring of Fire has kept producing chillies.
My growlights are all tied up with new seedlings.

[bario1]

I've just ordered a mini growlight garden - i'm going to germinate a few chilli seeds in my heated prop and then bung them in the growlight garden in a cupboard somewhere out of the way with a timer set to give them 16 hours of 'sun' a day. Never tried anything like this before, but hopefully I'll have enough of a head start on the season that I'll actually get chillies this year... assuming (as I do) that we'll get a scorcher of a summer.

[vixylix]

I sowed my chilli seeds last week - so happy to be back sowing. Nothing showing yet but I'm excited!

I got bored of my overwintered chillis and gave up - they hadnt been impressive in the first place and I've got lots of more exciting seeds for this year from the VSP!

[Vickilou]

I've usually sowed mine by now and can't wait to get started, I've had an extended break from the garden( not though choice ) but I'm staying positive this year will be a good one.
I don't have grow lights or much sun! But I've had moderate success sowing early over the years, using the brightest windowsill available ( often spotted carrying pots around the house chasing the sun)
Ive been known to start toms on New Year's Day! Tbh I think I could benefit from waiting a bit longer but it's yonks since I got my seed box out!! And it misses me lol

[jackarmy]

Mini growlight garden ?, guessing i could find one on amazon , how many you fit in and whats the cost ( ish) ?

Also, im pretty sure there wont be many chillis anywhere that get 16 hours of sun a day.

[bario1]

I haven't got it yet, but I think it's got 4 little seed trays, so I'll try 4 varieties. It was about £40.