Conditions and methods for germinating pepper seeds at home. How to germinate pepper seeds to get quick shoots How quickly pepper seeds germinate

What could be more beautiful than the awakening of a new life, especially if this happens with our participation. Every gardener opens a new season with germination and sowing seeds. I want to see the shoots quickly, but pepper is one of the slow-witted ones, it germinates much slower than radishes or cucumbers. Of course, it’s easier to sow with dry seeds and wait, but it’s much more interesting to germinate it first and make sure it germinates. Moreover, today many methods have been invented; you can experiment with each and become a real guru in this area.

Why germinate pepper seeds

Germinating seeds is an optional procedure. Many gardeners sow peppers with dry seeds for one simple reason: they choose good seeds productive hybrids from trusted companies. Such seeds are more expensive, there are few of them in the package, and they are coated with a glaze of stimulants and disinfectants. You can’t soak and sprout, and you don’t need to. Shoots appear quickly and amicably.

Seeds in colored glaze do not need to be germinated

Untreated seeds can be soaked and germinated. The main thing is to know why to do it. The intake does not affect the rate of emergence of seedlings. Judge for yourself. At room temperature (+20 ⁰C... +22 ⁰C) peppers from dry seeds germinate in 7–10 days.

You can find information about 15–20 days, but I have not encountered such peppers. Maybe this is the maximum period of germination at the lowest possible temperature - about +16 ⁰C. Most gardeners will not wait 3 weeks for peppers to sprout; they will go out and buy others that sprout faster.

Pre-germination, even in the most advanced method, lasts at least 3-4 days, that is, after so many days the roots of the seeds hatch. You sow sprouted seeds and wait another 4-5 days for germination. As a result, we get: that the whole process of germination lasts about the same time as waiting for seedlings to sprout from dry seeds. You are only adding more work to yourself.

However, germination is simply necessary if there are doubts about the germination of the seeds: the expiration date has passed, you bought them from an unreliable seller, or you collected your own and you don’t know whether they will sprout. In these cases, germination will help identify viable seeds and discard empty or dead ones.

Video: how a seed germinates (fast motion)

I am sure that germination gives absolutely nothing, especially if you buy good seeds processed by the manufacturer. However, having missed farming over the winter, I’m starting to experiment. And we sow peppers along with eggplants very first. So they fall under the hot hand) I think most gardeners germinate seeds only for this reason. Rather, I want to see sprouts and awaken sleeping life.

Conditions for germinating peppers

Seeds germinate when placed in a favorable environment - this is high humidity, oxygen access and optimal temperature:

Seeds wake up at +15... +16 ⁰C, however, the germination process will take a very long time - 2–3 weeks to a month. After lying in the ground for so long, they are more likely to rot than to germinate.
The highest germination rate is observed at +25... +30 ⁰C.
With prolonged exposure to heat above +30... +35 ⁰C, the seeds die.

Humidity is also of great importance, and its level greatly affects the ability of seeds to breathe. Pepper seeds should not float in water or sit in a very damp substrate for more than a day. Without oxygen they will suffocate. Drying out is no less dangerous. The material in which you will germinate the seeds must be moistened so that water is not squeezed out of it, and covered with film to maintain moisture. Take out the seeds every day, ventilate and, if necessary, moisten.

Everything you need for germination: water, air, heat, and for further growth - also nutrition

Methods for germinating pepper seeds

Craftsmen have already invented many methods. The essence of each is to awaken the seeds. In most cases, this is a modernized “grandmother’s” method of germination in a damp cloth. Only, instead of a rag, they use modern household items. However, there are also innovative ones, for example, germination in a hydrogel, as well as extreme ones - with pre-treatment with boiling water.

Germination on cotton pads

This is the easiest way. I use it when there are a lot of seeds and little time. I take clipbucks 15x20 cm according to the number of varieties. These are bags that snap on top. They are sold in departments disposable tableware. I put a label on each one with the name of the variety. Self-adhesive labels are also easy to buy at the office. I pierce each bag in several places with a toothpick for ventilation. Then I take a cotton pad, spread out the seeds, and cover with a second one. Now I spray them well, if necessary I squeeze out excess water and place them in the appropriate clipbucks. All! The first two days I don’t check anything at all. There is air and moisture there. Sprouts appear no earlier than 3–4 days. The method is not suitable for those who are too busy and forgetful. Seeds left unattended can germinate into cotton wool and will be difficult to separate without breaking the roots.

You can mark different varieties this way

Germination on toilet paper or napkin

Take a disposable plastic container with a lid.
Cover the bottom with several layers of toilet paper or napkins.
Wet the paper with water from a room sprayer or syringe.
Spread out the seeds and cover the container with a lid.

Pepper seeds placed on top of damp toilet paper

This is also a simple method, but safer for seeds. Even if the roots become overgrown, they can be easily separated from the soggy paper.

Germination in a sponge or on foam rubber

You will need a regular sponge, which we use to wash dishes. If there are many varieties of peppers, you can buy several small sponges of different colors - each for a different variety. And to save space, it’s better to take one large one and do the following:

With a sharp knife, make cuts to the middle of the sponge, and if it has a hard layer, then to it.
It is more convenient to make cuts with a sharp stationery knife
To know which variety is which, mark the first row with a permanent marker or make a cut. In your gardening notebook, write down: in what order the seeds were laid out, for example, 1 - Candy, 2 - Single, etc.
Mark the first row with a number or notch
Soak the sponge in the melt water and squeeze until it is just damp.
Soak the sponge well in water and wring it out
Place the seeds evenly in the slots in one row. If there are a lot of seeds, repeat all steps with the next sponge.
Place the seeds in the slots
Place the sponges in a container or other container and wrap them in a bag.
To retain moisture, place sponges in a bag

Sprout under conditions favorable for peppers, open, ventilate, check every day.

Germination in a snail (rolled paper, diaper)

Fold a simple plastic bag in half lengthwise and spread it on the table. You will get a strip the same width as toilet paper.
You can cut the bag or film
Spread toilet paper on top in several layers (5-6). You can use napkins or paper towels.
Place toilet paper on the film
Wet the paper.
Wet the paper from a sprayer or syringe
Spread the seeds out 1 cm from the top edge.
The seeds should be spread evenly along one edge
Roll it up.
Roll the cellophane and paper with seeds into a roll
To know which variety it is, wrap the roll in a seed bag. Secure the entire structure with rubber bands, tape or thread.
The roll is wrapped in seed bags and can be secured with an elastic band.
Place the roll of seeds in a glass or tall container filled with water in a 1–2 cm layer. Wait for germination.
Rolls with seeds should be placed with the bottom edge in water

The good thing about this method is that you do not get seeds with root buds, but shoots. But it is impossible to grow seedlings in such a snail, since it has no nutrition. At the latest, 5–7 days after the sprouts appear, they will need to be planted in the ground. To do this, unfold the snail, carefully separate the plants from the paper and plant them in pots.

Video: germinating seeds in a snail and sponge

https://youtube.com/watch?v=xuRA_evmzgI

Germination in hydrogel

Those who have not yet adopted hydrogel can begin to master this material by germinating seeds on it. There are two types of hydrogel:

Aqua soil with granules in the form of balls, cubes and pyramids.
Soft to powder.

For germination, it is recommended to take one that consists of granules, preferably square ones. Round ones are used for decoration. Powder is not suitable at all. After soaking in water, it turns into jelly. The seeds fall inside and suffocate without oxygen. This hydrogel is used in indoor floriculture, mixed with soil to retain moisture.

Use a hydrogel consisting of granules

The process for germination is very simple:

Fill the granules with water according to the instructions. Please note that they increase 10-15 times, that is, a teaspoon is enough to germinate pepper seeds.
Drain off excess water and spread the seeds over the surface, pressing lightly. Granules that are too large can be cut with scissors.
Cover the container with gel and seeds with film or glass.

The method, as in the case of the snail, allows you to obtain seedlings with cotyledons, but you can not rush to plant them, but grow them until the first picking. However, this will require more hydrogel - a layer of 3–5 cm, and the emerging seedlings will have to be watered with a solution of fertilizer for seedlings, that is, fed.

Video: seedlings of peppers and eggplants on hydrogel

Germinating pepper seeds in sawdust or cat litter

IN modern conditions it's easier to find wood filler for cat litter than simple sawdust. The filler is pressed dehydrated granules, so they must first be soaked.

If sawdust is not available, wood cat litter is suitable.

Start with disinfection. Place sawdust or filler in a metal bowl (plastic ones may become deformed) and pour boiling water over it. Let the granules swell well.
Stir the sawdust with a spoon or spatula, making sure that all areas have undergone heat treatment and the granules have crumbled.
When the sawdust becomes warm, squeeze out the excess water and transfer it into a container for germination in a layer of 3-5 cm. Leave a little for sprinkling the seeds on top.
Spread the pepper seeds evenly over the surface of the sawdust and cover the top with a layer of no more than 0.5 cm.
Cover with film and keep in conditions favorable for seed germination.

Sowing in sawdust is very similar to usual - in the ground

It is difficult to find sprouted pepper seeds in sawdust; fortunately, there is no need to do this. Wait for the sprouts with cotyledons to appear and plant them in pots.

Germinating pepper seeds with boiling water

In none of the above methods I specifically indicated the number of days after which sprouts will appear, because I don’t believe the screaming headlines: “The seeds sprouted in a day (an hour, 6 hours, etc.)!” And I don’t want to repeat them. While treating my own seeds with boiling water, I understood the essence of the trick. And this is what happened. After scalding seeds for the first time in my life, I was worried and after a few hours I began to check what happened. And I discovered that one seed already had a long root sticking out, and all the rest were intact, not even swollen. Of course, my eyes widened. I’m shocked: is it really true that they germinate so quickly from boiling water? I sowed this seed, but it did not sprout. All the others hatched on day 3-4 and grew well. This is the only time period that I can voice: after treatment with boiling water, high-quality pepper seeds from a reliable manufacturer, which subsequently sprouted shoots and seedlings, germinated for at least 3 days. And what sprouted earlier died, but then I still didn’t understand why.

And recently I saw a video where a female video blogger literally boiled nigella onion seeds wrapped in a rag for 30 minutes. As a result, when they were taken out of the boiling water and unwrapped, it turned out that most of them had white sprouts. It’s good that this gardener said that not a single one of these seeds sprouted.

Video: shock! The seeds hatched after 30 minutes

It turns out that under the influence of boiling water, the shell of the seeds softens, the embryo inside begins to unfold, a tender root breaks through and immediately dies in boiling water. This probably happened to my pepper seed because it was the only one out of all ten that had a damaged shell. Boiling water got into the crack, which led to a fatal consequence. Therefore, you can only keep the seeds in boiling water for a few seconds, and only if they are not mechanically damaged. Although damaged ones and without boiling water, most likely, they will not sprout.

Methods for treating seeds with boiling water that you can trust:

Take two cups. Pour boiling water into one, ice water into the other. Place the seeds in a linen or gauze bag alternately in one or the other. Hold each for no longer than 3 seconds. Repeat this several times, finish the procedure cold water.
Dip the seeds in boiling water for 1-2 seconds, then immediately cool under cold water.
Place the seeds on top of: sawdust, toilet paper, cotton pads, sponges or soil and pour boiling water over them. The water should be completely absorbed and not remain on the surface.

By the way, one of the reasons for the non-germination of seeds after treatment with boiling water is that too much water was poured. If the seeds don’t cook, they will simply suffocate. The substrate for germination must be moist and loose.

If you use boiling water, pour as much of it as the soil or other germination material can absorb.

There are many ways to germinate. Knowing the principle of this process, you can experiment and create your own technologies. Or you can buy good seeds and sow them dry without any hassle. If there is a lag in terms, it will be small. And taking into account the time that you will spend on germination and possible mistakes If you are a beginner, then there is no reason at all for this agricultural practice, except to check the seeds for germination or to keep yourself busy interesting experiments with boiling water or try to get seedlings of peppers on aqua soil.

Kira Stoletova

Germinating pepper seeds is one of the preparatory processes cultivation of seedlings of this crop. You cannot plant seed directly into the soil. This method is not justified. To obtain high-quality seedlings, it is necessary to carry out preparation.

Why are peppers sprouted?

This method of growing seedlings is used for both spicy and sweet varieties. Seeds infected with fungal diseases or other bacteria are disinfected. This method also helps to improve the sowing qualities of the material. Its germination rate increases significantly.

If you germinate peppers from seeds, the seedlings will more easily adapt to the conditions. environment. The sprouts have powerful stems. Application special drugs influences future crop yields. After all, the seeds are saturated with microelements and nutrients. Germination accelerates the growth of seedlings and improves its defense mechanism.

Preparing the seed for germination

This is a multi-step process. It requires effort and time. To speed up the appearance of sprouts, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures.

Selection of seed

Pepper seeds quickly lose their viability. Therefore, when buying them, you should pay attention to the expiration date.

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. Preference is given famous brands. If the seed is processed, this is written on the packaging. Its price will be significantly higher, since it has antifungal protection, and it is improved with the help of growth stimulants and microelements.

If the grains could not be processed or there is no confidence in its implementation, this procedure must be carried out at home. Otherwise, the peppers will not germinate well, and the plant may get sick in the future. The quality of the harvest will be at risk.

Selection of seed material

Before germinating bell pepper seeds, you need to calibrate them and test them for germination. To do this, the grains are laid out on paper and the smallest ones are selected. They are not used for planting. To distinguish hollow seed from filled seed, you need to do the following:

add 35-40 g to 1 liter of water table salt, mix;
The seeds are immersed in the solution for about 5 minutes.

Poor quality grains will float to the surface and are removed. The good ones will fall to the bottom. To prepare for the next step, the remaining bell pepper seeds are washed fresh water and dry. This event is carried out immediately before germination.

Disinfection

Disinfection is an important component of this process. The health of future seedlings depends on it. At home, seed treatment can be done using potassium permanganate. They do it like this:

prepare a 1-2% solution of the substance, it should be pale pink;
the grains are wrapped in gauze;
immerse in liquid for 20 minutes;
after extraction, rinse with running water;
dried.

A product such as Fitosporin can help disinfect seed material. To do this, add 4 drops of the drug to 1 glass of water. The solution has a detrimental effect on fungi and bacteria. Does not pose a danger to humans, animals and insects.

Before placing the grains into the solution, you can soak them for some time (less than 2 hours) in water at a temperature of 40-45˚C. First you need to wrap it in soft cloth. To germinate pepper seeds, disinfection is carried out no earlier than 2 days before. Otherwise they will lose their seed quality.

Treatment with growth stimulants

Germination will be good if you saturate the sweet peppers with useful substances before planting. The goals of this procedure:

increased germination;
increasing plant immunity to diseases;
adaptation to unfavorable conditions environment in the early stages of development.

A good source of useful elements is such accessible organic matter as wood ash.

It contains many vitamins and microelements. The solution is prepared in this way: add 20 g of ash to 1 liter of water, leave for 24 hours, and stir regularly. The grains wrapped in gauze are dipped in the prepared product for 5 hours. Then washed and dried. Ash water can be stored for quite a long time.

In order for plants to develop quickly, the seed must be stimulated. For this purpose I use biological and chemical substances. Egg and aloe juice are one of the most available funds, which contain a lot of useful substances. They can be combined - the juice is mixed with a beaten egg and the seeds are poured in. After soaking in such a solution, commercial preparations are also used: “Energena”, “Epin-extra”, “Zircon”. They are used strictly according to the attached instructions.

Heating

Some gardeners use this method to speed up the germination of pepper seeds. After all the above procedures, the seeds are heated. For this purpose, you need to place them on the windowsill with sunny side or put in warm water(40˚С). You can also use a thermos. Well heated seed material growth processes are activated, then they will sprout better.

Germination of seeds

The procedure begins in February - early March. To properly germinate the seeds, melt water is used for peppers.

It activates biological processes well and stimulates the growth of seedlings. If tap water is used, it must be allowed to stand. Then the chlorine contained in the liquid will evaporate.

The seeds are laid out on a gauze or napkin folded in several layers. The top is covered in the same way. You can use cosmetic discs or a sponge. Moisten with water. Place in a vessel with a lid and leave in an environment with a temperature of 25-28˚C. You can achieve such indicators using a radiator. It should be opened every day to ventilate. You don't have to use the container. But then you need to make sure that the fabric remains damp. And in the evening, cover with plastic wrap.

To obtain good pepper seedlings and an excellent harvest, you need to provide the plants with several components: fertile soil, light, water and warmth. Well, and also - care. But we will now tell you in what proportions to give the seedlings what they need.

Pepper is a heat-loving crop, so in temperate and northern regions it is grown mainly by seedlings. At home, the easiest way to grow seedlings is on a windowsill. There the plant receives a sufficient amount of heat, light and moisture.

Preparing soil for seedlings

The soil for growing pepper seedlings must be loose, breathable, with a sufficient amount of nutrients, have a neutral reaction (pH) and at the same time remain moisture-absorbing. The soil and containers should be free of pests and pathogens.

Sift the ingredients for the substrate through a sieve to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

The simplest and most popular recipe for soil for seedlings can be prepared as follows: take 2 parts of garden soil, 1 part of humus or rotted manure, add a large handful of wood ash to 1 bucket of humus or manure. Then add 1 part peat and 1 part sawdust (or coarse sand).

Take garden soil where nightshade crops have not been grown over the past 3-4 years: tomato, pepper, eggplant, potato.

Pepper is very sensitive to the level of acidity and excess salts in the soil. Optimal level pH 6-6.5. If the acidity level exceeds this value, add 15-17 g dolomite flour or lime per 1 kg of land.

You can add hydrogel to the soil. Soak small granules the size of a match head in water at the rate of 10 g per 1 liter. Once they have swelled, transfer them to the pepper pits. Consumption - approximately a small mayonnaise jar of swollen gel granules per hole. They absorb water and hold it until the earth dries out. Then the plant begins to slowly “drink” the water from the granules and therefore does not dry out. The hydrogel helps the pepper wait until the next heavy watering. It also successfully copes with the opposite situation - if you overdo it with watering, the granules will retain excess moisture “in reserve.” The optimal frequency of watering seedlings on hydrogel is once every 10-20 days.

If you purchased soil from a store, you can improve it yourself. To do this, add 1.5 kg of sand, 1-2 tbsp. to 5 liters of purchased soil. ash, 1-2 tbsp. dolomite flour and 1 tbsp. complex fertilizers.

Preparing seeds for sowing

Before sowing, the seeds must be pickled in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate at room temperature for 20-25 minutes. Then rinse them thoroughly cold water and soak for 18-20 hours in a solution of Zircon (1 drop per 300 ml of water) or Epin (2 drops per 100 ml) at a temperature of 18-22°C. These preventive measures will help avoid viral and fungal infections.

Pepper seedlings do not like transplants, so plant them immediately in the container in which they will grow

Next, the seeds should germinate. To speed up this process, immerse them in nutrient solutions Ideal, Agricolastart, Albit, Gumi, according to the instructions for use. Then wrap the seeds in a damp cloth for 2-3 days and place them in a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect. The minimum temperature for pepper germination is 22-24°C.

The optimal time for sowing pepper seedlings is the end of February - beginning of March.

Seedlings in pots

The substrate is ready and needs to be poured into pots. But they also need to be selected and prepared. Pots are used for both individual and group plantings. Considering that it is impossible to place many large and capacious containers on the windowsill, they are usually taken for single plantings. What pots are best for peppers?

Plastic pots lightweight, quite durable and can be of any shape. But if you accidentally damage such a container, the seeds will have to be replanted.
Clay pots– natural products that allow the roots to breathe and saturate them with moisture. The only negative is that the roots can grow into the pot, which will cause difficulties when replanting.
Peat pots allow you to plant seedlings in open ground right into them. At the same time, it is quite difficult to keep the pots transportable before planting in the ground, because water softens the peat.
Paper cups And plastic bags– disposable containers that help to obtain high-quality seedlings. The disadvantage of plastic bags is that they contain root system pepper almost doesn't breathe.

Fill the seedling containers approximately three-quarters full.

To begin with, you can use small pots with a diameter of 4-5 cm. This way they take up little space, are convenient to rearrange if necessary, and they warm up faster. When the plants grow and begin to shade each other, transplant the peppers into containers with a diameter of 10-12 cm, especially if you are growing mid-season and late-ripening varieties with large leaves.

Having chosen a pot, you can start sowing. Sprouted seeds or seedlings 5-8 mm long are planted in pots with soil and covered with film or glass. If the soil temperature approaches 25-27°C, the first shoots will appear on the 3-5th day.

Seedlings in boxes

You can grow a lot of good seedlings without pots. In this case, you will need a seedling box or a plastic container 12-15 cm deep.

If you want to get a lot of seedlings, take a box measuring 30x50 or 40x60 cm; each box will require 1-2 bags of seeds.

It is better to use plastic boxes for seedlings

The order of sowing seeds is as follows:

make grooves in the soil 1-2 cm deep, at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other;
plant the seeds so that there is 2-3 cm between plants;
cover the box with film or glass and place it in a warm place, preferably in the sun;
moisten the soil every 1-2 days using a hand sprayer;
As soon as the shoots appear, move the box for 5-7 days to a bright place with a constant temperature of 16-18°C.

Pre-emergence care

In the first 2-3 days from the emergence of seedlings, give the seedlings a “water-free diet” - do not water the plant, but only lightly moisten the surface with a spray bottle. After the cotyledons appear, start watering the seedlings with warm water (30°C). During this period, it is important to maintain a balance, since excessive moisture can lead to the development of putrefactive diseases, and lack of moisture can cause wilting. Do not forget about plant ventilation, but beware of cold drafts from the window - they can destroy the seedlings.

Periodically loosen the soil to a depth of 5-7 cm

Seedlings may weaken from lack of light and heat. In this case, it is useful to treat it with Epin solution 2-3 times with an interval of 8-10 days. At the same time, additionally illuminate the seedlings with fluorescent lamps. Conventional lamps are almost useless in this case - they dry and heat the air more. Heating radiators also negatively affect the growth of seedlings; to compensate for their influence, it is necessary to install shields made of foil, cardboard and plywood.

After 2-3 weeks, feed the roots with potassium humate (25 ml per 10 liters of water). The consumption of the composition per plant should not exceed 300 ml.

Until the formation of 5-6 true leaves, the seedlings grow slowly (during this period, flower buds). But before budding, when the bush already has 6-8 true leaves, as well as during the flowering period, a sharp growth of “house seedlings” is observed. At this time, give it its final feeding. Dilute 1.7 g in 10 liters of water boric acid, 1 g of iron sulfate, 0.2 g of copper sulfate, the same amount of zinc sulfate and 1 g of manganese sulfate. Apply no more than 500 ml per plant.

Everything is not as complicated as it seems at first glance. Follow this algorithm, and you will very soon become the owner of first-class seedlings. All that remains is to plant the peppers in open ground or a greenhouse and wait for a rich harvest.

This is southern culture loves warmth and bright sun

Choosing seeds

Important!

We plant

REFERENCE!

Attention!

use the transshipment method

Soil for peppers and fertilizing

Great

Remember!

Watering

Additional care

Useful video

Variety selection

Seed treatment

Germination and hardening

Selection of capacity

Soil preparation

There are a number of requirements for the soil:

fertility;
looseness;
moisture capacity;
nutritional value;

Sowing seeds

Sowing time

Sowing process

Growing seedlings

Temperature

Watering

Lighting

Picking

Top dressing

Planting seedlings in the ground

Growing peppers at home is becoming an increasingly popular activity for those who do not have a garden. Now there are many interesting varieties that are suitable for planting on balconies and window sills. If there is not much space in the house, then it is better to choose mini varieties.

Conventionally, pepper for the home can be divided into sweet and hot varieties; there is also decorative pepper. The latter are more suitable, as they have short stature and abundant fruiting.

However, if you want to grow bell peppers, then there is nothing complicated, you just need to follow the recommendations.

Growing peppers from seeds at home with step-by-step photos

This is southern culture loves warmth and bright sun, so it is important to ensure that it is positioned appropriately. However, seedlings should be protected from exposure to too much sun to avoid burning weak leaves.