Genuine seed chilli varieties contain many seeds that are usually removed during preparation. You should keep a few of them. Each and every one of them can turn into a green, richly bearing plant in the following year. But there are also promising seeds on the market. Starting with the sowing, a few steps are waiting for the gardener so that the field can be conquered quickly in May.
F1 hybrid
The first question when it comes to chili cultivation is not just about the right variety, so that the pulp and degree of spiciness correspond to your own preferences. The decision as to whether it should be "real" seeds or F1 hybrids is also a fundamental one.
- In the meantime, almost only F1 hybrids are available in trade
- above all, they promise high yields
The seeds of the harvested chili peppers are not varietal, much to the delight of the agricultural industry. Seeds have to be bought every year for the replica. Apart from the fact 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 chilli varieties, you will find what you are looking for in special online shops or at seed banks. From the later harvest you can win seeds yourself for further propagation at any time, completely free of charge. The agricultural industry argues with a higher yield of the F1 varieties, but are they packed to the brim with valuable ingredients like the genuine seed varieties? And do we want to encourage this dependency?
Required quantity
Seeds obtained yourself are free of charge and theoretically available in abundance, whereas purchased seeds are portioned and expensive. Before sowing, the question arises, how many seeds are necessary?
- the size of the available bedding area is decisive
- Expect a radius of 30 to 40 cm per chilli plant
- Plan a reserve as not all seeds will germinate
Tip: Purchased packets contain 20 to 100 seeds, but not all of them need to be sown at once. Their germination capacity is usually 3-4 years.
Store seeds
The seeds must be properly stored until they are sown so that their quality does not suffer. Best closed, cool, dry and dark. Seeds that you remove from ripe pods should be dried beforehand.
Germ test
In the case of seeds, the ability to germinate decreases more and more after years. If you are not sure whether the chilli seeds are still capable of germination, you can do a germination test in January.
- Moisten a few layers of household paper
- to put on a plate
- spread some seeds on it
- Stretch cling film over it
- poke a few holes in it
- place warm
Depending on the variety, it becomes apparent after two to four weeks how many seeds have actually sprouted. This result can be carried over to all seeds. If the germination rate is low, you will have to sow more seeds or even get new seeds.
Time to sow
Chilli, botanically Capsicum annuum, needs temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius to germinate. In this country, the seeds can therefore only be sown outdoors from mid-May, because only then there is no risk of frost. Unfortunately, there is only one problem: the long time it takes to harvest.
- most chilli varieties take a long time to ripen
- about 90 days after sowing
- some varieties even 120 days
If you do the math, you will quickly see that the harvest will not start until August or August. September falls. That is far too late, especially since the season can no longer last long due to the climate.
If you want to harvest earlier and longer, you should not sow the chilli seeds directly in the bed, but send young chilli plants to the start in May. The seeds must be in a suitable room beforehand
- start sowing as early as February
- in March at the latest
Tip: For those who do not have the time or opportunity for early sowing: There are some types of chilli that are ready to be harvested after 50 to 70 days. Inquire about it at your specialist retailer.
Potting soil
It is easiest if you buy potting soil from specialist shops that is low in nutrients and largely free of harmful germs. But chillies also germinate in normal garden soil. You can sterilize them beforehand in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes so that all harmful germs are killed.
Growing pots
When it comes to the early sowing of seeds, the trade has a lot to offer. Special cultivation pots, multi-pot plates or small, heated indoor greenhouses are included. They certainly have their advantages, but are not a must. Chilli seeds also germinate in "old" pots. It doesn't matter whether it's empty yoghurt pots, old flower pots or other bowls. All you have to do is meet the following requirements:
- be big enough
- provided with holes
- be washed clean
You can use several small pots of about 10 cm in each of which you sow 5-6 seeds or a larger container that offers enough space for all seeds.
Tip: If you are sowing different varieties, you should use a separate nursery pot for each variety so that you will later know exactly which plant you are holding in your hand when planting.
Instructions for sowing
1. Soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours where they can swell. Use separate containers for different varieties so the seeds don't get mixed up.
2. Fill the pots with soil, leaving only about 2 cm free.
3. Pour the soil until it is completely moistened.
4. Spread the seeds on it. The distance between individual seeds should be about 2 cm.
5. Cover the seeds with an approx. 5 mm thick layer of earth.
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.
7. Cover the pots with cling film to prevent the soil from drying out.
Location
Put the nursery pots in a bright and warm place. A window seat above the heater is ideal. The temperature should be over 20 degrees. The higher the temperature, the faster the seeds germinate. At 30 degrees Celsius, the germination time is about 8-14 days.
care
Keep an eye on the sowing so that strong plants develop from the seeds. The soil should remain slightly moist throughout. Mold can spread quickly when it is waterlogged. Ventilate the cover once a day until the seeds have germinated, after which it can be whole
removed.Prick out
About four weeks after sowing, the chilli seedlings will have formed their first leaves, then it is time to prick them out. If you wait too long to do this, the plants will grow taller to get more light. The stems remain thin and weak.
Material for pricking
To prick chillies you need:
- small pots about 10 cm in diameter
- made of plastic, clay or some other material
- fresh potting soil
- Pricking stick
The prick stick is helpful to separate the plants from each other and to get them out of the seed tray undamaged. A spoon handle also does the same job.
Tip: You can make inexpensive potting soil yourself by mixing garden soil from deeper layers, medium-grain sand and mature compost.
sequence
1. Moisten the soil in the seed tray, because then the chili plants separate more easily.
2. Fill all pots with potting soil, leaving 1 cm free.
3. In the middle, use the pricking stick to pierce a 3-4 cm deep hole that the seedling will enter later.
4. From all the seedlings, choose the ones that have developed the best.
5. Use the prick stick to prick close to the seedling and carefully pry it out of the soil. If possible, there should be as many roots as possible.
6. Insert the seedling into the prepared planting hole up to the cotyledons. The roots shouldn't bend to one side.
7. Prick out as many seedlings as you need one at a time.
8. Press the soil in and pour it carefully.
9. Place all the pots in a bright location that will not be exposed to direct sunlight for the next few days.
Care of the young plants
The pricked plants need a lot of light, high humidity and warmth around 20 to 22 degrees. If they cannot stand very brightly, the ambient temperature should also be cooler, otherwise they will become horny. Start the fertilization after two weeks and gradually get the plants used to the fresh air.
Note: If the plants are growing very vigorously, it may be necessary to transplant them into larger pots a second time.
Planting out
After the ice saints, the chilli plants are finally allowed to go outside permanently. Don't let warm days tempt you to plant them earlier. At night the temperature can drop below 0 degrees and destroy the plants. Cold temperatures can also trigger growth inhibition, so that the plants take a delay to develop further.
A chilli plant does not necessarily have to grow in a bed. Large buckets are also ideal for these vegetables.