If you have particularly beautiful chili peppers and want to multiply them over time, it makes sense to save their seeds for next year. To preserve fresh chili seeds, you need to dry them. We'll show you the best way to do it!

Caution: Chili seeds are very hot

How to Air Dry Chili Seeds - Step by Step Instructions

  1. Put on disposable gloves.
  2. Take a (ripe) chilli and a knife.
  3. Slice the chili lengthways.
  4. Scrape out the seeds with a finger.
  5. Scatter the seeds on blotting or typewriter paper.
  6. Distribute the seeds evenly.
  7. Bring the whole thing to a dry, dark and airy place.
  8. If possible, change the paper every day and turn the grains every now and then.

tips

It takes a few days for the chili seeds to dry completely.

Important notes on air drying

In order for the air drying to be successful, you should consider the following points:

  • Spread seeds generously (spaced apart) on paper
  • ensure an even temperature of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius
  • ensure good air circulation
  • do not allow direct sunlight to shine in

If you stick to these measures, you can look forward to a high germination rate. With carefully air-dried chilli seeds, the germination capacity is at least two years.

Caution: if the seeds remain moist, they will gradually begin to decompose and may even become mouldy. After drying, the seeds should only contain around eight percent moisture.

tips

As long as the seeds can be bent, they are not sufficiently dry. Discard seeds that are discolored.

Dry chili seeds in the dehydrator or oven?

Theoretically, you can also dry chili seeds in a dehydrator or oven. But: Especially in the oven, it quickly happens that you destroy the protein of the seed, which subsequently makes it incapable of germination. In any case, it is important to ensure that the temperature does not exceed 35 degrees.

tips

A dehydrator will do you good service, but you should rather leave the oven out here.

Proper storage of dried chili seeds

It is best to store dried chili seeds in airtight bags and add a few grains of rice. This keeps the humidity in the packaging low.

tips

Label the bags with the current date so that you don't lose sight of the remaining germination time.

Finally, just put the bags in a drawer.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden