starting tabasco peppers

linuxman51 · August 20, 2013

something that has plagued me for two years now has been getting my tabasco seeds to germinate with any reliability.. This year I ordered new seeds from another source thinking that maybe I'd just gotten some bad seeds, but still, similar results.

I got ~ 5-10%, and tried that across a couple of methods...
used some seed starting mix, 6 seeds, zip after 40 days
peat pellets (I know I know, I've had good and bad results with these things, probably done after this year), 2 of 12 after close to 60 days.
coffee filter and warm location, zip

all of these things were done indoors on a heating pad.

So.. what am I missing here? I get decent to great germination out of just about everything else I've tried to get going, but this, this has been perplexing and a bit trying.

Doug9345 · August 20, 2013

Last year I got a 73% germination rate and planted them just like any other pepper. I try to keep them between 80F and 85F. I discovered that sometimes I'd have spikes in temperature with my setup and that would really reduce the germination percent.

decherdt · August 21, 2013

I had zero luck with chile pequin until I switched from peat based media to DE mixed with vermiculite

recruiterg · August 21, 2013

I always use the coffee filter method, however I use paper towels rather than coffee filters. I don't put the plastic bags directly on the heat mat because they get too hot and dry out. I don't think you need additional heat when using the coffee filter method. I just put them in a warm spot in the kitchen and they always germinate.

peppero · August 21, 2013

I feel for you as at times I have had similar experiences. Methods that have worked in the past just do not want to work now. I have had seeds sprout weeks or even months after I abandoned the attempt and the planting medium had L O N G ago dried out. The same has occured with tomatoes and eggplants. You don't suppose it is a family problem do you?

jon

tjg911 · August 21, 2013

100% germination 5-6 days in promix on top of the dvd at 82 degrees. seeds bought this spring from pinetree seeds.

tom

linuxman51 · August 22, 2013

for those that have had good luck, I hate you

I'll try some different mixes and locations, gotta get out ahead of this thing.

Doug9345 · August 22, 2013

I went back and read your post really carefully looking for anything that might be your problem.

I've had low to no germination of peppers in peat. I think it's to acid for them.

When you say heating pad, are you talking about the kind you by at the drug store or where ever and use on a sore back? If you are they get too hot.

I solved some of my germination problems by having a good digital cooking thermometer and using it to check soil temps. I had a set up where I used Christmas lights to heat plastic shelves and the air around them. I found that I had localized hot spots that was slowing germination or cooking the seed.

My experience has been that pepper seed is just not as tough as a tomato seed. They are eaier to damage in a shipping envelope. They vary more from one to the next and are slower to germinate and age quicker.

linuxman51 · August 22, 2013

no, I bought a seed starting mat off Amazon last year, it doesn't get very hot, certainly not hot enough to cook anything. if anything it may not be hot enough.

Doug9345 · August 22, 2013

I've found 80F to 85F was a lot better than 75F. Another thing I found was that I had to cover the pepper cups. I use generic solo cups. If I didn't they dried out on top where the seeds are and were still wet in the bottom.

b54red · August 22, 2013

I usually start my hot pepper seed in December or early January in a non heated greenhouse. I now only use UltraSorb DE from Auto Zone and I get great germination even without any heat. I start the seeds in the cups of egg cartons and start giving them a weak fertilizer before they get their first true leaves. I only bottom water until the DE is wet then set them out of the water tray until they need watering again. Before I used the DE my results were often very spotty and sometimes none of the seeds came up. Most hot pepper seed are very cheap and easy to save so I will often put 2 or 3 to the cup and thin if necessary.

Bill

August 20, 2013	#1
linuxman51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: montgomery, al Posts: 91	starting tabasco peppers something that has plagued me for two years now has been getting my tabasco seeds to germinate with any reliability.. This year I ordered new seeds from another source thinking that maybe I'd just gotten some bad seeds, but still, similar results. I got ~ 5-10%, and tried that across a couple of methods... used some seed starting mix, 6 seeds, zip after 40 days peat pellets (I know I know, I've had good and bad results with these things, probably done after this year), 2 of 12 after close to 60 days. coffee filter and warm location, zip all of these things were done indoors on a heating pad. So.. what am I missing here? I get decent to great germination out of just about everything else I've tried to get going, but this, this has been perplexing and a bit trying. __________________ gearhead... (with a small garden) 1990 volvo 740 16vturbo, hx-52. Race car. 10.82@129mph 1994 volvo 940 wagon, turbo. 14.5@?. Good at hauling dirt, excellent DD 2003 Evo VIII, ams 35r, cams, etc. 440awhp, fun DD 11.6@123mph

August 21, 2013	#6
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	100% germination 5-6 days in promix on top of the dvd at 82 degrees. seeds bought this spring from pinetree seeds. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

August 22, 2013	#7
linuxman51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: montgomery, al Posts: 91	for those that have had good luck, I hate you I'll try some different mixes and locations, gotta get out ahead of this thing. __________________ gearhead... (with a small garden) 1990 volvo 740 16vturbo, hx-52. Race car. 10.82@129mph 1994 volvo 940 wagon, turbo. 14.5@?. Good at hauling dirt, excellent DD 2003 Evo VIII, ams 35r, cams, etc. 440awhp, fun DD 11.6@123mph

August 22, 2013	#9
linuxman51 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: montgomery, al Posts: 91	no, I bought a seed starting mat off Amazon last year, it doesn't get very hot, certainly not hot enough to cook anything. if anything it may not be hot enough. __________________ gearhead... (with a small garden) 1990 volvo 740 16vturbo, hx-52. Race car. 10.82@129mph 1994 volvo 940 wagon, turbo. 14.5@?. Good at hauling dirt, excellent DD 2003 Evo VIII, ams 35r, cams, etc. 440awhp, fun DD 11.6@123mph

August 20, 2013	#2
Doug9345 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Durhamville,NY Posts: 2,706	Last year I got a 73% germination rate and planted them just like any other pepper. I try to keep them between 80F and 85F. I discovered that sometimes I'd have spikes in temperature with my setup and that would really reduce the germination percent.

August 21, 2013	#3
decherdt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 329	I had zero luck with chile pequin until I switched from peat based media to DE mixed with vermiculite

August 21, 2013	#4
recruiterg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edina, MN (Zone 4) Posts: 945	I always use the coffee filter method, however I use paper towels rather than coffee filters. I don't put the plastic bags directly on the heat mat because they get too hot and dry out. I don't think you need additional heat when using the coffee filter method. I just put them in a warm spot in the kitchen and they always germinate.

August 21, 2013	#5
peppero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: selmer, tn Posts: 2,944	I feel for you as at times I have had similar experiences. Methods that have worked in the past just do not want to work now. I have had seeds sprout weeks or even months after I abandoned the attempt and the planting medium had L O N G ago dried out. The same has occured with tomatoes and eggplants. You don't suppose it is a family problem do you? jon

August 22, 2013	#11
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I usually start my hot pepper seed in December or early January in a non heated greenhouse. I now only use UltraSorb DE from Auto Zone and I get great germination even without any heat. I start the seeds in the cups of egg cartons and start giving them a weak fertilizer before they get their first true leaves. I only bottom water until the DE is wet then set them out of the water tray until they need watering again. Before I used the DE my results were often very spotty and sometimes none of the seeds came up. Most hot pepper seed are very cheap and easy to save so I will often put 2 or 3 to the cup and thin if necessary. Bill