I think that soaking overnight or for 2 days can speed out sprouting. Especially if the seed are bone dry and older. Sprouting in paper towel is just that, you are soaking them. The reason that it takes some seeds much longer than the others is moisture penetration. Then of course it has to be accompanied with warm temperatures, either in soil or paper towel.
I planted/sowed (without pre soaking) 12 varieties on 1/13. The first ones sprouted in 6 days the last ones sprouted today . That is 12. days. Two out of 12 did not and I just gave up on them. So the next batch I will soak them for 2 days.

I also think that adding peroxide can help prevent mold growth and rotting.

Seysonn

After a little more research, I just saw something that said soaking overnight would be too long, and to soak for no more than 8 hours. Another source said 1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide to 1 warm cup of water.

Thoughts anybody?

Here's a link for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening with peroxide

Cool, Ozzy. Thanks.

Overnight is fine, 24 hours is better. In fact, I just did a batch and soaked for 24 and all those came up within 6 days. 2 varieties I forgot to add to that batch, I added to the soak but just got an overnight(instead of 24 hour) soak--- of those, one came up in 2 weeks, the other still waiting.

I also kept the soaking water warm by putting them on my heat mat.

Kevin

Thanks, Kevin. I couldn't sleep last night, got up at 4am, made the solution, and they're soaking on my heating mat right now. I'll make up some potting mix today and probably sow the seeds later tonight (8pm-ish, 16 hours later). I'd wait the full 24 hours, but I'm probably not gonna feel like doing much before work tomorrow morning. Unless you think it couldn't hurt to let them soak a little longer. If I sow them tomorrow after work, it'll end up being closer to a 36 hour soak.
Let me know what you guys think. Or let me know if I'm totally overthinking this entire thing. Haha!

Overthinking. You'll be fine. The main thing is that constant mid 80's temp after sowing. I know they say that some varieties take up to 30 days or more, but IMO(with a soak and constant heat), if I don't see anything within 12 or so days with year old seed, I start again.

Funny though, I was about to give up on the reaper that popped a couple days ago after about 14 days.

Kevin

I am pre-soaking 8 varieties. I will put them in soil cells tomorrow.
We will see the difference.

BTW: I added some peroxide to the water just to prevent possible bacterial/fungal growth.

Seysonn

EDIT : the varieties are:

----Manzano ---Cumari du Para ----Black Pearl --- Fatalii(yellow) -- HHW --- Golden Cayenne -- Sangria --- Belingrath Gardens

This post was edited by seysonn on Mon, Jan 26, 15 at 23:08

i presoak for a few hours, half cham tea, half warm water.

Okgrow, thanks for your comment...
cham tea is a repellant. I think. I could be wrong. I have used it on fungus gnat , on seedlings.

On the soaking duration, I want to make sure that the seeds are fully softened.

Seysonn

Seysonn: I THINK chamomile is more than a deterrent-- I believe it has antibacterial properties.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin. I have pure cham tea bags .So I,ll use them. Is there any harm on the seedling if I use it regularly ?

Anyway: Today I fished my seeds out of water-peroxid and sowed them and put them on heat pad : Soil Tem ~=85 - 90F. I have to control it by padding, trial and error, using a meat thermometer.
Now the seeds have no excuse not to germinate. hahaha

Seysonn

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/pepper/2002074906031735.html

Byron's Tea ? I don't know about that.

The purpose of adding certain things to water to germinate, is supposed to be preventing fungal/bacterial infection. So where does that anti fungal/bacterial property come from ? ..Any tea ???

Seysonn

ANY tea is what byron was referring to, but that's just for softening the hull for germination. Something to do with the tannins in the tea. One could use it for germinating, but I opt for(first and foremost) FRESH seed, scarification( piece of sandpaper in a pill bottle and give a good shake for a half minute, and an overnight soak in plain tap water(24 hours seems better though. And last but not least, keeping them at a constant warm temp(mid 80's F) up until they peek their heads up.

Seysonn: I suppose you could use it regularly without harm(make it the way byron tells you to so it's a very weak solution). I just prefer the H2O2 solution for damping off prevention(1 part 3% H2O2 to 4 parts water). I have used the chamomile solution when I've run out of peroxide and it seems to suffice. Regarding your trial and error thing... I do the same thing but have it down pretty pat by now. Note though-- better to error on the side of 80-85 than 85-90. Don't want to cook them. Also, make sure your meat therm is calibrated -- mine was off by 25 degrees a couple years ago and I kept cooking them until I figured it out...lol.

Kevin

This post was edited by woohooman on Tue, Jan 27, 15 at 22:12

Thanks for the info, Kevin.

!- about temps 80-85F is better. I am measuring just at the lowest point (egg carton). It read 88F.

2- I am going to check my. thermometer : Boiling water should do it.

PS: Just checked: Right on the money: Boiling water 211. And we are almost ate sea level.

Seysonn

I do the peroxide soak with daylily seeds all the time. 1 T: 1 C distilled water. I soak until I see the radicle emerge - then put in the peroxide/water soaked round cotton pads that have been wrung out in small plastic baggies. Put these in a clear container near a bright window - have great results. I am just learning to start peppers, and am going to try some in this solution. The temperature isn't something to worry about germinating daylily seeds, so this heating pad/temperature is new to me. I am in Texas, and it was in the 70's today, so things are warming up. I am enjoying reading about the different thoughts on starting peppers - am learning a lot - thanks ya'll! Here is a photo that might be interesting of my daylily seeds germinating on the cotton pad.

Judith

My results with pre soaking, made a difference.

I planted 8 vars in 11 cells (few of them more than one cell.

8 of 11 cells sprouted in 6 days. 2 sprouted in 9 days. One (golden Cayenne)

never sprouted.. Bad seeds was responsible. I tried to germinate some before they never did. Now I am a believer in pre-soaking.

I added some peroxide to the water to prevent any possible bacterial growth.

YMMV

Seysonn