Germination was erratic with some chillies last year. What were the factors? It’s hard to tell as the chillies can’t tell us. Temperature is cited as a key factor. This year we will be attempting germination as follows:

• Chitting, not in soil or vermiculite. This way it is really obvious what is going on with the seeds.
• Keeping a consistent temperature, night and day.
• A high enough temperature for the Chinense type chillies. These all seem to prefer a hot kickstart. It looks like a balmy 27 degrees might suit most chillies.
• Not excluding light. Airing cupboards are a no no according to some folk.
• Be patient. With some chillies listed as taking up to 6 weeks to germinate it it a waiting game.
• Maybe a soak the seeds in some warm strong tea, to act as a chemical scarifyer.

Other charted information for future reference and in preparation for the pot stocktake and greenhouse reorganisation in February.

Chilli	Latin group	No of days to germinate	Suggested germination temp	Days to maturity	Height of plant	Pot size required
Cherry Bomb	Annuum	10-21 days	21oC	80 days	60-75cm	3L
Espelette	Annuum	14-21 days	24-35oC	80-90 days	50cm-1.5m	3L/7.5L
Cow Horn	Annuum	10-21 days	24-29oC	75 after potting on	1m (tall)	5L
Guajilo	Annuum	10-21 days	24-32oC	85 days	1.5m (yep, big)	7.5L
Habanero Primero Red	Chinense	11 days-5 weeks	32-35oC		45-60cm	3L
Aleppo	Annuum	21-30 days	21-29oC	80 days to red from potting on	1.2m	7.5L
7 Pot Bubblegum	Chinense	21 days	22 oC	90 days	1.1m	7.5L
Jalapeno	Annuum	10-14 days	18-27oC	75 days from seed	1.5m	7.5L
Poblano	Annuum	6-12 days	21oC	75 days from potting on	1m	7.5L
Pimientos de Padron	Annuum	14 days	24-32oC	55-68 days	2m	7.5L, then the ground?
Golden Greek Pepperoncini	Annuum	7-21 days	29oC bottom heat	85-95 days	1m	5L
Sweet Banana	Annuum	12 days	18 oC	75 days	40-60cm	3L
Trinidad Perfume	Annuum	5-7 days 14-28 days elsewhere	21-24oC	80-85 days	71-80cm	5L
Madame Jeanette	Chinense	12-21 days	22-28 oC	90-100 days	85cm	5L
Orange Habanero	Chinense	11 days-5 weeks	24-32oC	120 days from potting on	70cm x 70cm	3L
Mustard Habanero	Chinense	11 days-5 weeks	24-32oC	100 days	75cm	3L