I start my peppers, and all other seeds, in Pro Mix which is peat based as do a lot of pepper growers I know.

John

I use a peat based soil to start my peppers in and they all grow fine and have never had any problems with germination or seedlings growing. I have asked this question before and the results can be found here http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/pepper/msg0311230926275.html

Macmanmatty

I am in zone 5 and have been starting my own seeds for 35 years last ten with the peat pellets in side 3" peat pots and have had no problems but a lot of thining because 90% have germinated.
Nmsu College of agricul. is a good place for seeds too.
Dan

Thanks for the advice. I'm not a big seed starter since it's much easier and probably cheaper to just get the seedlings in the Spring from the nurseries. I have a huge bag of peat and perlite left over from last summer's plantings and it's nice to know that I can just use what I already have.

The issue about peat is it pH. Add some lime to get it more in line with what seedlings prefer. peat is very basic. Lime will acid it up a bit. Municipal tap water is very basic too (pH of 8 or even higher).

pH is one of the most important parts of growing that seems to be the most overlooked. pH your water when fertigating and pH the soil if you're using that method. it makes a HUGE difference.

Peat pots are OK IMO. Used them for years with success. The ProMix that John mentions is what I have used for the last several years and is much better.

pH... municipal tap water... great subjects!

It's been 20 years since have used municipal tap water for drinking or cooking. Nasty stuff. Tap water pH in my area is a constant 7.0 with dissolved solids ppm readings of aprox 500 and I don't hesitate to use for watering my container garden or use for seed starting/seedlings.

Peat.. can actually have a 7+ pH depending on source. Or can be very acidic.

Good temperature control, watering and proper lighting are to me key in seed/seedling starting. 86°F is pretty much accepted as the best temp for starting and I cool down for the seedlings.

every one of the post have great input.we all have started
seeds for years. but i really agree with showme temp,watering and lighting are the key. good luck
dan
let it burn

snip
The issue about peat is it pH. Add some lime to get it more in line with what seedlings prefer. peat is very basic. Lime will acid it up a bit.
snip

Actually, lime is basic, ie, Ph 7.0 or higher. Most peat is a little acidic but the purveyor can control it any way he wants.....check Ph when you buy it.

I also, like John, use ProMix. I will, however, NEVER again use peat pots for peppers. I lost my whole crop of seedlings in 2003 because of them. The real issue is that they don't drain sufficiently for peppers. Consequently, the seedlings get "wet feet" which closes of their feeding capillaries.
John

I do plan to plant the seedlings outside in containers using my container soil mix after the frost free date so they won't stay in the peat moss forever. And since I planned on mixing 50% perlite with the peat I hoped the perlite would address the drainage issues. john1840, did you use 100% peat?

I would strongly reccomend pre sprouting your seeds before putting them in a growing medium. To pre sprout give your seeds a warm bath for about 30 minutes to soften them up, then place them in a damp paper towel in a zip locked bag and place in a warm spot..top of the fridge. I have a heat pad but you have to be careful with those because they are hot and will cook your seed. Try wrapping the bag in a towel to moderate the temperature on top of the pad.

Check your seeds daily to see if they have sprouted and to expose them to oxygen, when you see the little white tip comming out of the seed you can now place it in soil at about 1/8 inch depth. Within a day or two it will come out.

I always use this method because it gives me greater control over the seeds, especially because of the different germination times required for sprouting. Many chile peppers are very stubborn. I started six varities last week, two are out of the soil three have sprouted and one is still enjoying the warmth of the zip lock bag...it's a Naga Morich.

As for soil any good soil mix will do Jiffy is as good as any.

I didn't have success with Peat Pots so I decided never to use them again. The seeds weren't germinating as good and then when transplanted into the ground the plants were as healthy and strong and grown as big.

So I use Scotts Soil for Seed Starting. I love it! This year I'll try Miracle Grow for Seed Starting and see how that works out.