5 Steps To Germinating Chilli Seeds

!±8± 5 Steps To Germinating Chilli Seeds

1. Heat

Like all seeds, chilli seeds are reasonably easy to germinate. Initially their main requirement is heat. Obviously it is best if possible to keep the seeds indoors, if not in a house or garage then at minimum in a greenhouse. Even when they are in a centrally heated house there are things you can do to maximise the heat. Try putting the seed tray in warm spots such as on top of the fridge or in an airing cupboard. Alternatively you could buy a heat pad from a garden centre and place the tray on top. This will ensure a constant warmth is supplied to the chillies.

2. Moisture

During germination, moisture helps the seeds by softening the pods from which they sprout. Pre-soaking the seeds in water prior to planting in compost can help speed up the germination process. If you have the seeds in a warm are as suggested in tip 1 above be sure to not let the compost dry out. Try and keep the soil moist to touch but not wet. A small water mister is best to use rather than pouring water straight in to the seed tray.

3. Planting

You can plant the seeds straight into individual pots however a seed tray will allow you to plant more in a confined space. Fill the tray 3/4 full of fine compost (sieved if possible). Then add the seeds in straight lines leaving about 5cm between seeds. Next sieve over another 3-5mm of compost. Be sure to label the seeds if more than one variety is being grown. Place a cover over the tray and place somewhere warm.

4. Thinning Out

The seeds should sprout after anything from a few days to a few weeks. You should try and leave the seedlings in the seed tray until they have sprouted their first true set of leaves (the second set that appears). It is a good idea at this time to throw away any weak looking plants and only pot on the strongest plants. This of course depends on how much space you have available to grow them, just remember they take up a lot more room once they are fully grown plants!

5.Gently Does It

oung chilli plants are very tender. They hate being disturbed so be very careful to handle the roots as little as possible. Also do not expose young plants to varying temperatures. If moving plants outside, do so gradually so as to give the plants time to acclimatise.