Chilies 2022

NigelJ & CanadianLori,

I tried to buy "Creative Propagation" by Peter Thompson on Kindle but it wasn't listed. I then tried eBay and was successful so I ordered the paperback version from there. Thanks again for your information.

Regards

Ademission

 

@Ademission I was fortunate to find it at a book sale. I paid the equivalent of 2 of your pounds for it. And I lucked out that they also had books on perennials and North American birds.

I'm a little disappointed that the last seeds, which were bought new, have not sprouted. I believe it's been at least 20 days so this is very unusual.

 

CanadianLori,

I'm sorry your seeds did not germinate. I know that some "Superhots" can be slow to germinate but 20days does seem like a long time. What varieties are giving you the problem? Do you have more seeds of the same type?

With regard to Creative Propagation, I paid the same as you (approximately). There was however a very wide range of prices on eBay up to £20. The postage was free and delivery was estimated by the seller as 10days so I'm waiting for delivery.

Best regards

Ademission

 

@Ademission I have a few of each variety left but I'm not sure if it is worth sowing new seeds. We gave a much shorter growing season than you do.

Glad you got a good deal on the book.

 

I've only been growing them for about 15 years, but for the last few years just leave them on a heat mat at a constant 27c to germinate, then move them somewhere cooler to keep them manageable. I do this with almost all veg seeds. Fresh seeds will almost always germinate 100%, (apart from those manzano seeds I bought) the problem with buying seeds in of course you only know when they were packed. At least pepper seeds can stay viable for a number of years. I also had good success with the kitchen towel method in the boiler room with a more variable but still warm temperature, that has the benefit of plating the seedlings up to the leaves in their first growing medium.

The plants in the garage are set to 14c at the roots at the moment, with the lights on the ambient temp might be closer to 20c

 

@NigelJ @CanadianLori @Ademission I have the Creative Propagation book as recommended by @NigelJ last year. There is so much information for the beginner that I am, but certainly a book I will be keeping and dipping in and out (especially on a windy day when it’s not safe to venture out!) I also got it from ebay quite cheaply and in very good condition.

 

Hello all,

Chili/Sweet Peppers are coming along nicely. Just a picture as promised.



The covered seedlings are not big enough to uncover yet. My second tray (not shown in photograph) is a few days behind.

Regards

Ademission

 

Hello all,

Just a bit of an update.

Firstly, "Creative Propagation by Dr. Peter Thompson" arrived this morning. The book is second hand but its condition is good and well worth the £2.45p I paid for it. I'm looking forward to starting to read it later today.



On another subject, I seem to have lost (killed) some seedlings while transferring them from paper towel to rockwool in my hydro tent. The affected seedlings are: -

Chilaca (2 off)
Red Sweet Pepper (2 off)
Yellow Sweet Pepper (2 off)

They had germinated but after transferring into the rockwool and giving them a light covering of vermiculite, they did not emerge into the light. It sort of suggests that they may have been damaged in the transfer.
As I have plenty of Red and Yellow Sweet Pepper seeds, I have restarted them in paper towels in polythene ziplock bags. I only had 3 Chilaca seeds left and so these also have been re-started but I now have no spares in case it happens again.

Question?
At what stage should you transfer the seedlings? Was I too early when the root was 3 or 4mm in length. My theory was that if I left it longer the the root would grow into the paper towel. How do you hold the seedling when transferring it? I used a cocktail stick. My other seedlings are ok with this treatment but if I'm doing something obviously wrong, then please let me know?

On yet another subject, I ordered 4 off fans for the greenhouse. They are 6 inch 2 speed mains fans. The fans are fine but the crocodile style clamps are weaker than I would like. As I'm into 3D printing, I printed more solid mounts for them and installed them this morning (one in each corner of the greenhouse). I believe this helps to prevent mould/mildew from forming on plant leaves.



OK, thats all for now.

Best regards

Ademission

 

Thanks JWK,

It seems I may have been transferring the seedlings a little bit too early. In most cases I have got away with it but not in every case.

The replacement seeds that I have just planted will be left a little longer before I move them.

I never pick them up with the stems but generally sort of hook them with a cocktail stick trying to be very gentle with them.

Your help is appreciated.

Best regards

Ademission

 

JWK,

Each fan is 15w to 20w on full power (setting 2) though the air flow from each is not super high. Each fan is mounted onto an aluminium extrusion and has adjustment for left/right and up/down so I can point each one exactly where I want it. I have a similar fan in my Grow-tent. I also have 2 other fans in the Grow-tent with a different purpose. They are computer style fans 120mm and one of them blows into the tent and the other blows out of the tent. They are triggered by over temperature (ON) and under temperature (OFF). Its noticeable how much moisture there is on surfaces when these fans are disabled.

Regards

Ademission

 

I sowed in December.

For sweeties, I'm growing:

Redskin F1. Expensive seeds, but very reliable. It's a dwarf plant with a heavy crop of medium sized red peppers. I've recently discovered a source of dehybridised Redskin so I have those in my arsenal for next year.

"Mini Lidl". Saved seed from a snack sized bought pepper. I grew a couple last year. They bore differently shaped yellow/orange fruit (F1 parent?) but both were healthy. compact and productive. I overwintered one and it's now about to flower, so I've upped the watering a little to give it a boost. Sowed a couple more.

Mini Belle Chocolate. Plenty of little brown peppers, later in the season and continuing to crop until frost. Another overwintered one, in addition to a new sowing.

King of The North. Didn't really produce outside last year, despite the promises. After I dumped my tomato plants, I moved the pot into the greenhouse and it started kicking out a lot more fruit. Going in the greenhouse this year, unless the weather is very good.

Corbaci. New to me. Long, stringy things.

Now the spicy ones:

Apache F1. Overwintered and barely turned a hair or lost a leaf. Not much heat last year but last year was awful.

Bulgarian Carrot and Numex Suave Red. New ones to me.

 

Hello eatenbyweasels,

Just been looking up descriptions of the chilis you've chosen for this year as I haven't heard of some of them. It seems you prefer milder types with the exception of the Bulgarian Carrot.

This year I'm growing quite a few sweet chilis (more than last year) and included is the King of the North you mentioned which is a first time for me. I also have taken seeds from supermarket sweet peppers (yellow, red and orange) as I got a good crop from them last year.

Anyway, good luck with your peppers and keep us informed of your progress. Pictures are always appreciated.

Best regards

Ademission