Turn the heat lamp off for eight hours at night so that the soil temperature remains above 60 degrees F. Continue to repeat the heat and light conditions until the seeds germinate. The selection of hot peppers available at the supermarket is very poor. This will work beautifully for starting your seeds outdoors using natural light and the warmth from the sun. Turn up the heat. 4. There are different methods which you can use in order to germinate your favorite pepper seeds. Hot pepper seeds are normally slower to germinate than sweet pepper varieties. What's the difference between Sprouts and Microgreens? You can use a wall thermometer to determine the temperature if your thermostat is unreliable. This helps speed up the process and avoid damaging your seeds. So plant your pepper seeds 1/4″ – 1/2″ deep. Start pepper seeds indoors in mid to late winter to get a head start on the growing season. Drop a few seeds in a cup filled with water. They might take within 1 to 4 months to germinate. The pepper must have been fully ripe for the seeds to be viable. Each of the different methods have pros and cons that make them a reliable way to start pepper seeds. One of the best ways to quickly germinate pepper seeds is to start them indoors in flats. These categories are relatively slow when it comes to germination. Transplant seedlings from trays into four-inch garden pots when they have two true leaves. Although the selection of plants from a nursery or store is a little better, when you start from seeds, there is a terrific variety available. Usually, it needs warm and non-acidic soil to germinate properly. So for starters, pick out your selections.I LOVE this part. Don't live in a warm or hot climate but maybe you have a greenhouse? Pour the non-viable seeds off, carefully keeping the viable ones at the base of the container. The pots won't require light until the seeds sprout. What is the difference? Wait 24 to 48 hours. Freshly harvested Pepper seeds should be put in a jar, screw the top on, and shaker up gude! Soak the hot pepper seeds in warm water overnight. Temperature is extremely important for pepper seed germination. If the seeds are really fresh, some will germinate in as little as 1 day! 3. When the seeds stop twirling around, the ones that sink are the good ones. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Store the seeds in a cool, dark place until planting time. The fastest germinating seeds include everything in the cabbage family – bok choi, broccoli, kale, cauliflower etc, and lettuce.. Be the first to get notified as soon as we re-open! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 19,820 times. Ideal temperature is 75-85 degrees. For best germination, keep the soil between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. PLANTING WHEEL - Know when it's the best time to plant! Your house may not be hot enough for the seeds to germinate. Generally, you start your seeds in the winter indoors. Which Seeds can I DIRECT SOW? (You can also use a weak chamomile tea solution to help kill off any bacteria during the soak.) Start green pepper seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last spring frost in your area so the plants can be transplanted outdoors once the temperatures become warm enough in late spring or early summer. For the seeds to be happy, they need a constant temperature. Growing your own hot peppers from seed can be very rewarding. Squeeze and roll the peppers in your hand (using gloves for hot peppers). Which Seeds Can I START INDOORS? Remember one thing, pepper seeds take about a week or two longer than tomatoes to germinate, so if you plant pepper seeds and tomato seeds at the same time don’t panic when you don’t see your peppers pop up with your matoes, they’re just a little lazier that’s all. Soak your seeds overnight in warm water to help them germinate faster. If temperatures are cold, germination will be even slower. It is better to dry them though. There are different methods to start pepper seeds. Cover the tray with clear plastic or slide it into a white plastic garbage bag. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Paper tissues are quite versatile and are actually perfect germinating mediums. Each of these elements is explained in the following steps. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Once they sprout you can move them to the sunny location or under lights to finish growing. Try these 5 gentle back stretches and find relief. Do seeds need to be dried before planting or can you take fresh undried seeds and plant them? If the seed is old and dried out, you should soak them for a long while and shake it then. Tips on How To Successfully Germinate Hot Pepper Seeds, The Complete Guide to Organic Gardening (175-pages) Includes, 8 Dehydrating Recipes You’ve Got To Try This Summer. I also don’t have garden space, so all my plants grow in containers outdoors once they are ready and it’s warm enough outside. What is Diatomaceous Earth (DE)? References. Signs of a healthy plant include good growth; ability to cope with hot, cold, wet and cool climates; well-formed fruits; uniform growth; supple branches; thick walls on the fruits; good flavor. Some species cultivars are harder to germinate. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. 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