this post was submitted on 15 Jun 2023
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Hot Peppers

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Is it hot in here or is it just the peppers?

Chili Pepper Heat Levels

US Growing Zones

Pepper Recipes curtesy of Mike Hultquist

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How do you germinate your seeds? (puckerbuttpeppercompany.com)
submitted 2 years ago by Alchemy to c/hotpeppers
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I have always been a paper towel and warm area kind of person, but Puckerbutt goes in a different direction with a tea soak and then planting in soiless medium until they sprout. I don't really have the luxury of planting seeds that may never sprout in my limited space so I am thinking of sticking with the paper towel method.

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[–] Marruk 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I have been using paper towels in (open) ziplock bags to sprout, and then transporting to peat pods in a thermostat-controlled germination tray for years. As long as you get the seedlings out of the peat pods within a couple of days of them sprouting so they roots don't grow through the peat pod netting it works very well. I transfer then to double Solo cups with FF Ocean Forest soil. The peat pod provides a buffer to keep the seedlings from getting nutrient burned until they're big enough to handle the Ocean Forest.

I have heard that tea soaking is very effective, but I suspect it isn't really going to make a major difference unless you're working with older seeds or seeds from a variety that would otherwise have lower germination rates. The tea soak is supposed to soften the seed casing to help the cotyledon break out. If you're having good germination rates already, I just don't see the benefit.

[–] Alchemy 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That sounds like a good strategy. Why do you keep the ziplocks open, to help combat molding?

[–] Marruk 4 points 2 years ago

To combat molding, and because the seeds need air. It does mean that you have to monitor them more closely though, since they'll dry out faster.