[Sven]

Hi.
I need some advice please as I have just sown some Dorset Naga seeeds and had 3 germinate from a batch of 10 which I understand is OK as they are difficult beasts. My problem is that I grew them in a heated propogator with the lid on so they did not get much light hence they are now very leggy. I have realised my error and now bring them outside into the sun as much as the weather allows but is there any other way to ensure they succeed? They are about 3 weeks old now. Thanks.

[Yabba]

Don't quote me on this, but I *believe* you can bury chillis up to they're cortly-summats ( seeds leaves ) when you pot them on ... I hope like hell you can, because that's what I did with my leggy ones

So far they're still alive ... ish

¥

[Lardman]

Yabba right - bury them up to their necks (seed leaves).

Bit late to be starting them off though, you'll need a greenhouse or a good summer to get a decent crop off them. Mind you, not exactly as if you need many   

[DD.]

The word you're looking for is "Cotyledons".

[Sadgit]

tis funny as loads of my chillis became leggy but the dorset didn't at all and in fact now have 6/7 leaves and are still only about 1 inch tall.. I defo bury my chillis when they are leggy...

[cabbagehead]

  3/10! I would expect 7/10 at least. A couple of things you MIGHT be doing wrong. Chilli peppers need good drainage. Use a good seeding compost 50/50 sharp sand. It's fidderly but sow seeds sideways on. Do not over water, if possible water in the morning.



As you can see the compost is "quite dry" but the plants are healthy.
If your going to keep seeds for following year don't let your Dorsets cross pollinate with other peppers. Chilli peppers are perennial, next year you'll get a better crop.

 

[Lardman]

Cabbagehead thats just gratuitous pepper porn     

Surely they're not all for personal consumption.

[HaggisWhisperer]

I got 100% germination on my jalepenos, the plants were about 8 inches high as of yesterday doing really well. I'd started them back in February and three plants were in a long windowsill box in my dining room (I had one further plant in an individual pot). This morning I went to have a look at them and all the plants in the long box had been yanked up by the roots and were lying prostrate with their little roots waving in the air. It was very sad  Given how droopy they were the heinous deed must have occurred yesterday evening sometime. I yelled at my toddler who promptly burst into tears then I repotted them. One of the three plants seem to be recovering  The jury is still out on the others.

At least I'd already moved my rocoto chillis to the greenhouse (with a close eye on weather forcasts) they seem to be doing really well - a bit too well perhaps which was why I had moved them - flower buds already.

[mumofstig]

Just goes to show there are many reasons not to sow early (kids included)

[cabbagehead]

   Don't know which planet you're on but I'd like to be there.  These are not my peppers. Posted to make a point. At the moment I have around 30 peppers from sweet to DN's.  DN's are seriously hot peppers please don't let children touch the fruit.

Peppers are measured by the Scoville scale. http://www.spicymonkey.co.uk/scoville_chart.htm

I can link you to a vgood chilli pepper forum if you want. I'll not post it here incase it's spam. Contact me if you want the link.

[cabbagehead]

I got 100% germination on my jalepenos, the plants were about 8 inches high as of yesterday doing really well. I'd started them back in February and three plants were in a long windowsill box in my dining room (I had one further plant in an individual pot). This morning I went to have a look at them and all the plants in the long box had been yanked up by the roots and were lying prostrate with their little roots waving in the air. It was very sad  Given how droopy they were the heinous deed must have occurred yesterday evening sometime. I yelled at my toddler who promptly burst into tears then I repotted them. One of the three plants seem to be recovering  The jury is still out on the others.

At least I'd already moved my rocoto chillis to the greenhouse (with a close eye on weather forcasts) they seem to be doing really well - a bit too well perhaps which was why I had moved them - flower buds already.

  Good luck. Lets hope you got to them in time.

[strangerachael]

My peppers and chillies are growing incredibly slowly    I sowed them in February in a heated propogator and they got off to a good start but since pricking out and moving them into the greenhouse they have made little or no progress. None of them has more than one pair of true leaves. is it just a bit cold still? Should I put extra protection over them? They are perfectly healthy otherwise. I don't understand it as last year they grew much quicker despite all those frosty nights 

[cabbagehead]

I sowed all sorts of peppers in Feb., some are 5" tall others just off the ground. While it's still chilly at night don't water in the evenings. Keep compost quite dry.

[Ras Skipper]

Sow in Feb, got it. I just need 1 pepper for the year lol

[agapanthus]

Does the Naga have any taste....apart from incredible heat? I like my chillis, enjoy the heat but also love the different flavours