The intensely tasting Capsicum fruits are not for everyone. Lovers of spicy tastes appreciate the different varieties and are increasingly trying to be self-sufficient. What the seeds need to germinate are optimal conditions.
Chili needs a warm, humid climate to germinate
Which varieties are suitable
It is estimated that there are around 4,000 types of chili with individual colours, tastes and degrees of spiciness. If you find it difficult to choose, go for the easy to propagate Capsicum annuum. Basically you can use seeds from mature yellow, red or orange chillies from the supermarket and grow your own chillies. Green varieties are not suitable because their seeds are not germinable.
When seeds germinate
With the right environmental conditions, the seeds will open regardless of the season. They need high humidity, lots of light and temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius. Ideally, start sowing seeds in the mini greenhouse at the end of December so that the plants grow vigorously until the next harvest season. April is the last sowing month for a harvest to take place later that year.
How long your seeds will take to germinate depends on the strain you choose and the conditions. It usually takes seven to 14 days. Sometimes the first leaves appear after three days, while some strains take 25 days.
sowing seeds
The seed is stimulated to germinate by a previous watering. Antibacterial herbal teas ensure that the seed surface is freed from microorganisms. Since chili plants do not germinate in the light, but belong to the dark germs, the seeds should be planted about 0.5 centimeters deep in the substrate. This is ideally free of nutrient salts and has a neutral pH value.
How to proceed:
- Soak seeds in brewed and cooled chamomile tea overnight
- Soak coconut tablets in water and put a grain in each tablet
- sprinkle some coconut fiber over the seeds
- Keep seeds constantly moist and ventilate regularly to prevent mold
tips
If you want to breed rare or original varieties, germination is often not reliable. Soak the chili seeds overnight in a mixture of water and a teaspoon of guano ($121.99).