Pepper seed germination

growing peppers from seed for first time this year; how long does it take them to germinate usually? any special treatment needed?

I believe that they may germinate better with heat. I'm pretty sure I've seen some people post that they get them to germinate without heat, but I think they'll go faster if you have them on a heat mat. I know there are a bunch of people around here who've grown them so hopefully one of them will be along shortly with some more tips for you!

thanks, I have them in styrofoam cups, so heat pad would not work for this; may try that on future plantings and use some other type container: I do have thme under grow lights.

Hi, I grow peppers every year and have never used heating pads to help speed up the germination. Some peppers germinate faster than others. I'm growing 3 types this year. The 2 types of sweet peppers, both heirloom varieties, called King of the North and Sweet Buran, germinated in a week. The hot pepper, also an heirloom, called Black Hungarian took 12 days for the first seedling to come up. They were all planted on March 8th and there are still Black Hungarian seedlings emerging.

thanks for the info, I planted these 10 days ago so will give it longer; these are the Naga Jolokia; may be a fad thing and I understand they arent very productive, but thought would give it a try.

I have 5 different peppers started and there is great variation in the germination times. I had them in a sunny window after soaking in water for about 4 days. I'm finding Chiltepin the most aggravating. One plant came up after about 10 days and a second one a week later. I planted more and nothing is up from that. Yesterday, 2 came up from the first batch which is about 4 weeks after planting. Don't give up on them.

I had to replant jalapenos. I read in another forum that it is best to barely cover them. I got 100% germination but the silly things didn't seem to know which end was supposed to be down. I carefully put their little root in the soil and now they look great.

Has anyone seen peppers grown like tomatos in the upside down things? And do they work? I have some pepper seeds and I really have no clue what the best way to start them. So far The above are great. Would I start the seeds inside? Or should I start them outside since right now I'm having 90 degree weather? Do they need full sun? What is idea water requirements? I have no clue as to what kind the peppers are. They were given to me and all they say are pepper variety. Help. :)

I planted a pepper seed I collected from a pepper I bought to eat. It germinated and is doing quite well. Does anyone know if it will produce fruit or does it depend on what kind of pepper it is?

It should give you peppers, but they may not taste good. Chances are the pepper you got it from was a hybrid and won't come true from seed, so the flavor may not be as good as the parent.

Ah. Oh well. Worth a try to see what happens :)

Definately give it a try, redheadedwonder! Every year I wind up finding a bunch of "volunteer" tomato plants in and around my garden. For years, I pulled them up and composted them, just like any weed. But a couple of years ago, I missed a seedling and it got 2ft tall before I noticed it, and I didn't have the heart to yank it. So I let it grow. Even fed & watered it! That mongrel volunteer produced more of the finest tomatoes that year than any of my carefully cultivated "named" varieties (both heirloom and hybrids). So now, I always leave room for 6 volunteers to plant in the "real" tomato patch. Problem is, you have NO idea what you've got...just that it grows well and tastes good... I don't find that too big a problem. Might work for peppers...

Hopefully that is the case :)