Chilli sprouting!!!

[SusieG]

Woohoo! Just checking on windowsills (again...!) and I have one chilli seed that has germinated! It's Ancho.

The compost feels a bit on the dryish side ... Should I give the whole tray a gentle watering? Don't want to jeapordise my chances of any more sprouting
Thanks!

[Scarlet]

Yes, you don't want thr hem drying out. Can you sit the tray in some water for a few minutes?

[SusieG]

Thanks Scarlet - just toddling off to pop them (2 trays) into the bath!

[Scoot]

I always find one of those little water sprayers is the best option for watering seedlings that havn't germinated yet or have just germinated. That way you don't over water them by accident.

[SusieG]

Yes, Scoot, I should've thought of that as even my little watering can does tend to drench everything - thank you!

[vixylix]

Be careful spraying them though - I think it can easily lead to damping off on your tiny seedlings (or maybe I was just unlucky!!)

[Scoot]

It's just the compost I spray, not the actual seedling. What's dampening off exactly? I've heard people mention it before but not seen it I dont think.

[AkionTotocha]

Where fungus spores get in with your precious seed babies and murder them

[lolie]

I always find one of those little water sprayers is the best option for watering seedlings that havn't germinated yet or have just germinated. That way you don't over water them by accident.

I also plant mine on one ply of cheap toilet paper before covering them with the seedling medium. If the toilet paper is damp then they are moist enough.

Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason why some seeds in the same pot/tray take more time to germinate. I've had seeds germinate weeks later than others in the same pot. They seem to love waiting until I've decided they're not going to germinate at all and sown more in their place to show their heads.

Damping off is caused by fungi, so you want to avoid the soil being wet rather than damp and you also want good air circulation.

[vixylix]

Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason why some seeds in the same pot/tray take more time to germinate. I've had seeds germinate weeks later than others in the same pot. They seem to love waiting until I've decided they're not going to germinate at all and sown more in their place to show their heads.

This is exactly what has just happened to me!

[SusieG]

Yaaay!!!! Another THREE seedlings from my chilli seeds appeared today! I'm mighty excited as I thought I'd had a total failure.....

[plam]

My chilli Etna seeds have just started to pop up today - I thought they were never going to germinate!

[SusieG]

Great stuff plam, it's exciting! Have you got any other chilli seeds on the go?