Seeded chili varieties contain many seeds, which are usually removed during preparation. You should keep a few of them. Each of them can turn into a green, richly bearing plant in the following year. However, there are also promising seeds in the market. Starting with sowing, a few handles await the gardener, so that in May the open ground can be quickly conquered.
Contents
F1 hybrids
The first question in a chili cultivation is not only the right variety, so that the flesh and degree of hotness correspond to your own preferences. Also the decision whether it should be “real” seeds or F1 hybrids is a fundamental one.
- in the meantime almost only F1 hybrids are available in the trade
- they promise above all high yields
The seeds of harvested chili peppers are not true to variety, much to the delight of the agricultural industry. Seeds have to be bought anew every year for replanting. Apart from that, only worthwhile varieties find a permanent place on the market.
“Real” seeds
If you want to preserve the biodiversity of nature and also grow unusual, old chili varieties, you will find them in special online stores or seed banks. From the later harvest, you can always obtain seeds yourself for further propagation, completely free of charge. The agricultural industry argues with a higher yield of F1 varieties, but are they still as packed to the brim with valuable ingredients as the true seed varieties? And do we want to encourage this dependence?
Quantity needed
Homegrown seeds are free and theoretically available in abundance, while purchased seeds are portioned and expensive. Before sowing, the question is how much seed is needed?
- the size of the available bed area decides
- calculate with a radius of 30 to 40 cm per chili plant
- plan a reserve, because not all seeds will germinate
Tip: Purchased packets contain 20 to 100 seeds, but they do not have to be sown all at once. Their germination capacity is usually 3-4 years.
Store seeds
Until sowing, seeds must be stored properly so that their quality does not suffer. It is best to keep them well sealed, cool, dry and dark. Seeds that you remove from ripe pods should be dried beforehand.
Germination test
In the case of seeds, the germination capacity decreases more and more after years. Whom you are not sure whether the chili seeds are still germinable, you can make a germination test in January.
- moisten a few layers of household paper
- put them on a plate
- spread some seeds on it
- stretch cling film over it
- poke a few holes in it
- place in a warm place
Depending on the variety, it will be visible after two to four weeks how many seeds have actually germinated.
This result can be transferred to all seeds. If the germination rate is low, you will have to sow more seeds accordingly or even get new seeds.
Time for sowing
Chili, botanically Capsicum annuum, requires temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius to germinate. Therefore, in this country, the seeds can be sown outdoors only from mid-May, because only after that there is no threat of frost. Unfortunately, there is only one problem: the long time until harvest.
- most chili varieties take a long time to reach harvest maturity
- about 90 days after sowing
- some varieties even 120 days
If you do the math, you’ll quickly realize that the harvest doesn’t start until August or September. This is much too late, especially since the season can not last long due to climate conditions.
If you want to harvest earlier and longer, you must not sow the chili seeds directly in the bed, but start young chili plants in May. The seeds must germinate beforehand in a suitable room.
- start sowing already in February
- at the latest in March
Tip: For those who do not have time or opportunity for early sowing: There are some chili varieties that are already ready for harvest after 50 to 70 days. Inquire about this at a specialty store.
Growing soil
The easiest way is to buy growing soil from a specialty store, which is low in nutrients and largely free of harmful germs. But chilies also germinate in normal garden soil. You can sterilize this beforehand in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes so that all harmful germs are killed.
Growing pots
When it comes to early sowing of seeds, the trade has a lot to offer. Special growing pots, multi-pot plates or small, heatable indoor greenhouses are among them. They certainly have their advantages, but are not a must. Chili seeds also germinate in “old” pots.
Whether they are empty spooned yogurt pots, old flower pots or other bowls, it doesn’t matter. They just have to meet the following requirements:
- be sufficiently large
- be provided with holes
- be washed clean
You can use several small pots of about 10 cm, in which you sow 5-6 seeds each, or immediately one larger container that has enough space for all the seeds.
Tip: If you are sowing different varieties, you should use a separate seed pot for each variety, so that you know exactly which plant you are holding in your hand when you plant it later.
Instructions for sowing
- place the seeds in warm water for a few hours, where they can swell. Use separate containers for different varieties so that the seeds do not get mixed.
- fill the growing pots with soil, leaving only about 2 cm free.
Water the soil until it is completely soaked. 4. - spread the seeds on it. The distance between individual seeds should be about 2 cm.
Cover the seeds with a layer of soil about 5 mm thick. 6.
Moisten the top layer of soil with lukewarm water. It is best to use a spray bottle for this so that the seeds are not washed away from their position.
Cover the pots with cling film to prevent the soil from drying out.
Location
Place the growing pots in a bright and warm spot. A window place above the heater is optimal. The temperature should be above 20 degrees. The higher the temperature, the faster the seeds germinate. At 30 degrees Celsius, the germination period is about 8-14 days.
Care
Keep an eye on the sowing so that the seeds develop into vigorous plantlets. The soil should remain slightly moist throughout. Mildew can spread quickly if waterlogging occurs. Air the cover once a day until the seeds have germinated, after which it can be removed completely.
Prick out
About four weeks after sowing, the chile seedlings will have formed their first leaves, and then it is time to prick them out. If you wait too long to do this, the plantlets will grow taller to grab more light. The stems will remain thin and weak.
Material for pricking
For pricking out chilies you will need:
- small pots of about 10 cm in diameter
- plastic, clay or other material
- fresh potting soil
- pricking stick
The pricking rod is helpful to separate the plantlets from each other and get them out of the seed tray without damage. However, a spoon handle also performs the same service.
Tip: You can make inexpensive growing soil yourself by mixing garden soil from deeper layers, medium-grained sand and mature compost.
Procedure
- moisten the soil in the growing tray, as this will make it easier for the chili plantlets to separate.
- fill all the pots with growing soil, leaving 1 cm free.
- pierce a 3-4 cm deep hole in the center with the pricking rod, where the seedling will later go.
- choose from all the seedlings those that have developed the best.
- pierce with the pricking stick close to the seedling, and carefully lever it out of the soil. There should be plenty of roots left on if possible.
- Place the seedling up to the cotyledons in the prepared planting hole. The roots should not bend to the side in the process.
- prick out as many seedlings as you need, one after the other.
- press the soil and water gently.
- place all the pots in a bright place, but not directly exposed to the sun for the next few days.
Care of the seedlings
The pricked plants need a lot of light, high humidity and warmth around 20 to 22 degrees. If they can not stand very bright, the ambient temperature should also be cooler, otherwise they will become yellow. Start fertilizing after two weeks and gradually accustom the plantlets to fresh air.
Note: If the plants are growing very vigorously, it may be necessary to prick them out a second time into larger pots.
Planting out
After the Ice Saints, the chili plants may finally go outdoors permanently. Don’t be tempted by warm days to plant them out earlier. At night, the temperature can drop below 0 degrees and kill the plants. Cold temperatures can also trigger growth retardation, causing the plants to delay further development.
A chili plant does not necessarily have to grow in a bed. Large tubs are also ideal for this vegetable.