Peppers are notorious cross breeders. If you try growing them with the seeds from a grocery store pepper, you are in for a bit of an experiment. Hybrids will not produce offspring that are true to type, and heirloom green peppers might have crossed with hot peppers in the field. Since the gene for hotness is dominant, the result could be a green pepper with a kick. While that could be exciting, you will get more predictable results by either saving seeds from peppers grown in isolation, or purchasing them from a reputable company.
Moisten the soilless growing medium. Add water to it until you can form a little clump in your hand – you want it to be moist, but not soggy. Fill the small pots to the top with it.
Make a 1/4-inch deep indentation in the center of each pot using a pencil eraser. Drop two or three seeds into each hole and cover them with a thin layer of growing medium.
Place the pots in a tray and set the tray on a seedling heat mat or in another warm area. Peppers sprout best when room temperatures are 75 to 90 degrees, and bottom heat significantly improves their germination.
Keep the growing medium moist but not wet – peppers are more susceptible to disease when damp and cold. Top-watering with a spray bottle during germination is effective. Seedlings should peek out in seven to 10 days.
Put the newly emerged seedlings under a grow light, allowing roughly 2 inches of air space between the plants and the light. They are slow growers and appreciate continued warmth – daily temperatures should be at least 70 degrees.
Begin a weekly application of balanced fertilizer when the plants are one to two weeks old.
Thin each pot to the most vigorous seedling when plants are six to eight weeks old.
Fill large containers with potting soil. The containers should be at least 16 inches in height – the more depth and width they have, the more room there is for vigorous root growth.
Make an indentation in each container that is a little larger than the seedlings' pots.
Loosen the seedlings from their pots and gently set one plant into each container. Transplant them at the same depth as they grew, or slightly deeper, and water them in.
Set the plants outside in a partially sunny location once daytime temperatures are at least 70 degrees. To transition peppers to an outdoor environment, provide protection from the wind and leave them outside for no more than three hours on the first day. Over the next seven to 10 days, gradually increase the amount of time they spend outside. Move them to a full sun location after 10 to 14 days.
Things You Will Need
- Soilless growing medium
- 3- to 4-inch pots
- Seedling heat mat (optional)
- Grow light
- Balanced fertilizer
- 16-inch or taller pots
- Potting soil
- When saving seeds from a fresh pepper, first remove the seed pod with a knife. Scrape the seeds into a bowl and place them in a warm, dry area out of direct sunlight. They are ready to plant when they snap when folded between your fingers.
- Sow seeds six to eight weeks before the average last frost date in your area.
- Each week fertilize transplanted seedlings and provide at least an inch of water.
- If you purchased a soilless growing medium containing fertilizer, adding additional fertilizer is unnecessary.
- Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners
- Sunset: Best Crops for Pots
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