How long for bell peppers to sprout? Do you start your's with bottom heat? Mine just aren't doing anything and these are from new seed packages and its been a month.
Help with bell peppers
Heat, heat, and more heat. I have the hardest time getting peppers to germ! They really need constant high heat (80* preferably) and a bit of moisture.
Heat mats really help, and covers of some kind over the seed to hold that heat/moisture in.
Ssssshhhhh - my pepper seeds apparently don't know they're supposed to be difficult. So let's not tell 'em :o)
Maybe it is the heat - I use heating cables (or the top of my upright freezer when space on the heating cables is at a premium), and I've never had them take more than a week or so to germinate, every year.
I don't do anything special, other than I LIGHTLY cover them (just barely with a pinch of finely ground sphagnum), and then use a plastic dome to keep in the humidity.
I have them on heating cables. Guess I better put them in plastic baggies! My tomato and tomatillo seeds came up in 2-3 days and I have flats of seedlings everywhere under lights...its those darn peppers that are giving me a hard time! Time to put those peppers on the heating mat!
Phooey! I hoped this would be about how to make them bear fruit, instead of just grow huge plants. Better start my own...
I generally don't plan on setting pepper plants out until at least the first of May. I start the seeds under grow lights and then re-pot as needed. Have had good luck with them.
Sparks
I don't use a heating pad but do use a rooting medium when I start my seeds and they turn out fine. I just plant them in those peat cyclinders and once they start to grow I set them by my south window keeping them moist until time to plant.