View Full Version : I wonder when I should start my pepper seeds?
Dean W.
12-29-2009, 11:43 AM
I wonder when I should start my pepper seeds? I got grow lights and a heat mat now. I guess I can start at any time. I live in zone 8b. What do you think?
jeffreyp
12-29-2009, 02:10 PM
I'd probably wait until march, after a month they should be large enough to go outside.
wordwiz
12-29-2009, 02:51 PM
If they are superhots, as soon as possible. Peppers like the Bhut Jolokias can take up to 150 days to produce ripe pods - and they can take longer to germinate than others. I sowed some Bhuts last year the day after Christmas and I live in Cincinnati - Zone 5.
Mike
Dean W.
12-29-2009, 02:59 PM
If they are superhots, as soon as possible. Peppers like the Bhut Jolokias can take up to 150 days to produce ripe pods - and they can take longer to germinate than others. I sowed some Bhuts last year the day after Christmas and I live in Cincinnati - Zone 5.
Mike
Yes, I have some Bhut Jolkias. Maybe I should start them today. I got a couple of under the counter grow lights. I guess they'll do the job?
turtile
12-29-2009, 04:06 PM
If you are using grow lights, I would start them now. It will take a few weeks to harden them off to the outdoors.
In local greenhouses in Delaware, hot peppers are usually started in February.
Dean W.
12-29-2009, 04:54 PM
Cool, thanks! I better get busy.
Dean W.
12-30-2009, 12:52 PM
Okay, I finally got the Bhut Jolikia and others started. Boy they are burning hot! I accidentally touched my face and now it's burning from handling the seeds.
Here is my setup.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=28364&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28364)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=28365&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28365)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=28367&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28367)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=28366&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28366)
wordwiz
12-30-2009, 01:20 PM
You really don't need the lights until the seeds germinate but once they do, you want to get them as close as possible to the plants. Also, go very lightly on the Nitrogen while they are smaller - I love Tomato-tone. It builds stronger roots.
Mike
Scuba_Dave
12-30-2009, 03:05 PM
I need to start mine in maybe Feb
Last year I waited too long
They take longer to germinate then other seeds
sirmoebly
12-30-2009, 04:10 PM
Started mine March 15, 09 & sprouted March 25 & planted out May 1st.... but I will start mine a little earlier. I have been logging planting times....
djmb74
12-30-2009, 06:41 PM
Anyone here overwinter there pepper plants? Met someone that gets 3 years of peppers out of each pepper plant...
sandy0225
12-30-2009, 07:04 PM
You want those lights a lot closer to the plants when they come up. Like a couple inches at the most over the top.
I have a bhut jolokia that's starting to turn red in the greenhouse. Peppers are easy to overwinter. My sis has 4 yr old jalapenos that she grows as a houseplant in the living room each winter. Peppers will live forever if you take care of them.
sirmoebly
12-30-2009, 08:40 PM
Martin, I didn't know you could keep peppers all year..... Not hot peppers but are you talking about regular peppers like your regular hybrids? Never thought about it.... so cool......
jeffreyp
12-31-2009, 10:28 AM
I've grown cayenne peppers year round, just keep trimming them back.
Dean W.
12-31-2009, 10:49 AM
I used to grow them year around when they were in pots. I would bring some indoors. I had some peppers 6 feet tall.
I think they are all dead now. Twenty degree freeze doesn't help. :ha:
Thanks for everyone mentioning light placement. I'll move the lights before they emerge from the soil.
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