I planted some red pepper seeds about 7-10 days ago, and they havent germinated. They are indoors in an unheated propogator, and the seeds I planted at the same time (gazania, french marigold and tomato) are doing OK - although the tomato took much longer than the others.
Is it still too cold for them or should I just be patient?
It could be a mix of both peppers/chilli's need a higher temperature than most other things but they also have a rough germination period of 21 days, thats from what i remember, im sure someone more knowledgable will be along shortly.
Mine were in a heated propagator and they still took about 18 days to germinate - try and be patient... ;)
I wasnt blessed with patience! Suppose I'd better stop poking around in the soil to check, too..
Typically, Peppers take 13 days at 68F - 8 days at 77F.
The warmer the soil quicker they germinate, some chillis won't germinate below 25degC.
I generally find sweet peppers slower, taking over a week whereas chillies will often pop up in a few days. At high temperatures you have to keep an eye on them because some can get straggly very quickly if you don't drop the temperature once they are up and give them enough light.
As the others have intimated you are growing them a bit on the cool side hence the delay in germination.
All I can suggest is; be patient, I won't be sowing till next week at the earliest.
This is how I grow mine; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Peppers/Peppers.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Peppers/Peppers.htm)
You could always pop them in the airing cupboard or somewhere a little warmer until you see germination. Then you can return them to your unheated propogator on the window sill.
Planted mine on the 21st February, they are still there, I know they will come when they are ready.
Last year I thought they were duff and rather than waste the compost planted some brassica seeds on top.
The brassicas came through and just when they were ready to plant on, the peppers started to appear.
Moral of the tale:-
Do not give up on them.
I put peppers on top of the water heater, and they come up in a few days. If I put them on the windowsill with the toms they just sulk.
Tee Gee - I have just realised that you are my god! The Gardener's Almanac has been my bible since I found it last in year.
:D Bless you ...
There are several species of peppers, some species are particularly slow to germinate and cannot abide lower temperatures.
Be patient, but if nowt happens resow at a higher temperature, your toms won't like that however, so move them to a new home.
I had given up on mine after planting them in February, and just forgot about them until they started showing a week or so ago. I'd only planted a few seeds from a shop pepper so wasn't really expecting much anyway, but they're flourishing now ;D They were on the kitchen window sill with toms and chillies (all shop bought ones - the propper seeds were in the propogator) Only one pepper seed didn't come through but I guess theres time yet.
SK x
STILL waiting for mine after 4 weeks,they're in the airing cupboard but not in a propagator. Same last year, some of the seeds (from a shop bought pepper) were still germinating two months after sowing. Trouble is if you keep them in the dark and don't remember to check them every morning, they suddenly shoot up and fall over.
Lipstick - sown at 68F on 8th March - just germinating.
Mine eventually started sprouting, a couple of days ago. Some are about an inch long, and others just poking their heads out.
Went to the garden centre today and they had a whole new room full of plug plants, including peppers and chillis. I think I'll be buying those instead next year, as I live in a tiny flat with only two windowsills, and no central heating!
I always grow from shop peppers and get great results.
Water with warm water and keep in a warm place until they show.