germination times, temps, ????

naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan

18 years ago

I've been germinating various hot pepper seeds I collected this year. When I planted many seeds of one variety some sprouted in a short time, others did not sprout for another 2 or 3 weeks. (And who knows, maybe the others will still sprout even though they have been in the seed starting mix for a month.) Is this staggered germination common?

Some spent 4 or 5 days bent over with both "ends" in the soil before finally unfurling. Is that typical with hot peppers? I've only grown sweet peppers from seed before and they seemed to grow alot quicker. Or maybe my house is just colder now....although it is usually cool in March and April, too, when I start the sweets.

I'm thrilled that the saved seed is growing well, even if I think it is in slow motion. Thanks to all of you for inspiring me to give seed saving a try this year.

I thought this was just going to be a germination test, but I see some of you are starting your hot peppers now. Should I hang on to mine and transplant them?.....Give them as Christmas presents? :)

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Comments (5)

danial
18 years ago
NG
i have had seed sprout in two days up to 30-40, why do not know just one of the secerts.i normally start them now but i have some what of a light system.keep them or they do make good CHRISTMAS GIFTS good lUCK
Dan

LET IT BURN
dangould
18 years ago
The ability of seeds to germinate over time is an important means of self preservation. If a bad day came and killed all the plants then it would have to depend on those seeds not yet germinated to come up.

I believe at warmed temps they will not spread out so much. also highly refined hybrid seeds probably germinate more uniformly for the farmer. But wild seed will take some time. I think it is good that they germinate over time.

You never mentioned what temperature these seeds germinated at. 80 F is a good germination temperature for pepper seeds. I suspect you were closer to 70 F. I try to stabilize the temp between 75 and 80 for germination. But some wild chiles like variation in temperature during germination and some like drying out a bit and then getting wet again. of course not totally dry or they are dead.

some weed seeds take years to germinate. Seems like you can never get rid of weeds.
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User
18 years ago
It can vary greatly. The majority of mine in each variety germinate within a few days of each other but a few (especially the wild varieties) can germinate weeks apart.
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
Original Author
18 years ago
I guess my results are about what I should expect. I found a relative had an unused heat tray that is now mine! It will be interesting to see how that speeds things up. And Dangould, most of the time temps were several degrees below 70F, only time we have it warmer is when the sun shines brightly. And that hasn't happened often around here. I'm probably lucky that any of the pepper seeds germinated!
nuwanda
18 years ago
For the last three years I've germinated in my hot water cupboard with excellent results.

I lined the cupboard space above the tank and top exit pipe (which is quite hot to the touch at all times) with aluminium foil to reduce heat loss. Temp stays between 20c & 26c (68f & 78f).

I just sit the seed trays above the tank, close to that hot pipe. As I said, excellent results. Even my Rocotos popped up in six days :-)