GERMINATION TIME FOR CHILLIS

[floraldi]

I am growing various types of chilli this year and I expected at least one of them to have germinated by now (sown 2-3 weeks ago). Last year I grew some healthy plants but can't remember how long they took but I do remember I used ordinary multi purpose compost. This year I have bought seed compost thinking all my seeds will do better in that.

Am I being too impatient??

[floraldi]

[tim]

At what temperature?

[star]

Yes temp is important, they like a warm bottom  ;)

[Biscombe]

They do take a while! I started soaking mine in a weak chamomile tea solution 12 hours before sowing, they are up in half the time

[Robert_Brenchley]

I put mine on top of the water heater, and they're up in a few days.

[Tee Gee]

An extract from here http://tinyurl.com/2luy3n

Week 10; Sow seeds in pots of seed compost at a temperature of 21 °C (70°F) 

Germination should take around 7-14 days.

Guess what folks?  it is week 10 next week

the start of my growing season now I can join all you early birds.  ;D

[dtw]

Some varieties tend to come up quicker than others in my experience.
Bird's Eye seem to come up the quickest. (they're nothing to do with the captain).  ;D
I've got mine in an electric propagator and they take from about a week up to 3 weeks.
Some individual seeds decide to take a bit longer.

Once they are through, I put a fluorescent light from an old fish tank above them to prevent legginess.

[floraldi]

Mine are in a propagator, the type with 8 individual boxes with lids. I do keep removing the moisture that collects inside the top box but a lady yesterday said she pours it back into the compost which seems like a good idea. I will try to be patient and will perhaps try different places for the pots I will sow some in.  I will be so....disappointed if I don't get a selection of chilli plants as some interesting seeds have been sent to me from the Swop shop.   I am considering buying a heated mat for next year to enable me to have more seeds getting warmth.  The top of the boiling housing was definitely the best spot for years but we now have a new boiler and it is up on the wall.

[floraldi]

They do take a while! I started soaking mine in a weak chamomile tea solution 12 hours before sowing, they are up in half the time

Is this a well known tip? I have not come across it before. There is no camomile in my garden but I suppose tea bags containing camomile will do?
It certainly sounds like it has a good effect on seeds.

[Biscombe]

Chamomile is a fungiside, better than soaking in water! works well for me......

[Barnowl]

They do take a while! I started soaking mine in a weak chamomile tea solution 12 hours before sowing, they are up in half the time

Probably a stupid question but what temperature do you let the tea cool to?

Also although 21 C should work, I've found some chillies need 25-30C to get a good germination rate.

Here's q good site for info - perhaps a  little over the top though :)

http://www.chillisgalore.co.uk/pages/growingtips.html

[Sparkly]

I had good germination with a range of chillies on a sunny kitchen windowsill last year. This year my luck has not been as good! I set up seeds in a tray with a plastic lid. I waited about 3-4 weeks and nothing! I then gave up and bought a heated progator. I placed the tray into the progator and about 8 seedlings appeared. I think the rest must have rotted. I have pricked these ones out and re-sown the others under heat.