How to germinate chili seeds
This article provides netizens with detailed knowledge on how to germinate chili seeds and the key points of chili cultivation techniques in the field of green plants and flowers. Let's learn about it together below.
Chili is one of the must-grow vegetables in home gardening, whether it's the smaller朝天椒 (朝天 means "facing upwards") or larger ones like牛角椒 (ox horn chili) and 柿子椒 (persimmon chili), there are many varieties to choose from. Today, let's talk about how to use chili seeds for indoor seedlings.
Due to different climates and temperatures in various regions, the duration of frost also varies. Therefore, when germinating seeds indoors, you first need to understand when the frost period ends in your area, which will serve as the basis for your seedling activities.
When to start indoor seedling for chili?
Chili seedlings should start about 6 to 8 weeks before the end of the frost period in your area. If you have good indoor conditions with suitable temperature and humidity for chili growth, you can start seedling 6 weeks before the end of the frost period.
If your indoor conditions are average, and it takes longer for the chili to grow from germination to seedlings, you should start seedling 8 weeks before the end of the frost period.
What is the optimal temperature for chili seeds to germinate?
Generally, chili seeds can germinate smoothly between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The hotter the chili, the higher the temperature required for seed germination. For example,朝天椒 seeds have the best germination temperature between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.
If your indoor temperature does not reach this, you can use a seedling mat. A seedling mat can keep your seeds at a relatively stable and suitable temperature for germination, making your seedling work more effective.
How long does it take for chili seeds to sprout?
Under suitable temperatures, it is normal for chili seeds to sprout within 1 to 2 weeks. You need to be patient, as individual differences can lead to slightly different germination times.
How to germinate? Here are the specific steps:
Step 1: Prepare the seeds
You can use seeds bought from the market or seeds collected previously. Generally, the fresher the seeds, the easier they are to germinate. The lifespan of chili seeds is usually about 3 years.
Do seeds need to be soaked or pre-germinated?
As long as the temperature is suitable, chili seeds are relatively easy to germinate, and soaking or pre-germination is not necessary. If you want to soak them, keep the soaking time between 12 to 24 hours.
Step 2: Prepare containers
If you are growing a small number of chili plants, such as a few, you can use cups or seedling trays. Plant one seed per container.
If you are growing many, such as dozens, you can use flower pots or other larger containers, evenly sowing the seeds in the container. When the seedlings grow 4 to 5 leaves, or 2 to 3 true leaves as we commonly say, you can then transplant them.
The reason for doing this is that if you plant dozens of seeds in separate cups, it not only makes maintenance more troublesome but also takes up too much space.
Step 3: Prepare seedling soil
Before using seedling soil, wet it with boiling or very hot water. The purpose of this is to kill bacteria and possible eggs in the soil.
Also, moist soil is very convenient to handle during seedling.
Step 4: Sowing
If using a seedling tray or cup, fill it with the prepared seedling soil and compact it. Then, use your finger or another tool to dig a small hole, place one to two seeds in it, cover them with soil, and finally water.
If using a container to germinate dozens of seeds at the same time, place the seedling soil in the container without filling it too full, leaving 1 to 2 centimeters of space at the top. Sow the seeds in the soil, cover them with a thin layer of loose soil, and then water. After that, just water regularly to ensure the seedlings have enough water to grow. You can also cover the container with a layer of plastic wrap to keep it moist, so there's no need to water before germination.
Step 5: Place the seedling tray or container in an ideal seedling environment.
If possible, place it directly under a light source to ensure a stable temperature and immediate exposure to light after germination, which can effectively prevent later leggy growth.
The above introduction on how to germinate chili seeds and the key points of chili cultivation techniques, I hope everyone will like it!