First time growing hot peppers and first time growing anything from seed.
I should be using lights at this point?
Can I light and cover to keep humidity?
by elcaminoZero
First time growing hot peppers and first time growing anything from seed.
I should be using lights at this point?
Can I light and cover to keep humidity?
by elcaminoZero
11 Comments
Lower lights or raise seed tray. Best to seed trays with the same cultivar so they tend to germinate at the same time. Heat mats are helpful. Domes & mats come/turn off after germination. Which is why you want to have everything pop at the same time.
You’re doing better than most! Good Luck!
https://preview.redd.it/qo27i0f211pg1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f8369406f9654fbac39a3f3bd665272df0b680f
give them light as soon as one sprouts. Those vivosun strips should be good. You can keep the dome on until more sprout but take it off often to give them fresh air.
Nice setup and pepper selection! General rule is to take the humidity dome off and start lights when they break the soil surface. Your lights need to be 3-4 inches (~9cm) from the seedlings or they’ll get leggy.
The issue you’ll have is the different germination rates of each type. It’s frustrating trying to balance potentially damping off seedlings and insufficient moisture for those yet to sprout. I’ve grown peppers for years and I still mess that up.
Nice! Also agree, get the lights closer or stronger. The first few are getting leggy.
I would try a different seed distributor next year. I’ve had poor germination results with this company.
Stop using the humidity now that some sprouts are up. Use a spray bottle to keep the cells moist.
Love to see the Mulatas in your mix!
I’ve grown them the latest 5 or so years, they will grow high and lean, so don’t worry about them ever being leggy(they do that even if grown direct in the garden).
Habaneros can start off real small, don’t worry, they get big.
Depending on the output of those lights, I think they are 8w you may want to ensure they are close enough to stop etiolation, especially as soon as real leaves begin. Also ensure decent air movement to help with strength.
https://preview.redd.it/snsrol7o81pg1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dff15178cd5f6e37e9d3163105461966c359f134
I’ve had much more success germinating in larger, lidded containers. I’ve started using yogurt and mushroom containers this year, even better. Tease them apart into cups when they true leaves appear. I have inconsistent results with tray-dome systems.
Good luck man 😀 Looking forward to see your progress 😀
And yes.. Keep the lights as close to the seedlings as possible.
you don’t want them to start stretching to reach the light. That will end up with weak leggy seedlings.
Also. When the majority of your seedlings have sprouted, remove the dome and heat + introduce a fan (oscillating) to give them a light breeze. This will force your seedlings to develop stronger stems 😉
Keep us updated…
I moved lights to 6” away. Thanks for all the feedback!!