6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
I use a 2-1-1 mix of Sphagnum peat moss/perlite/coarse sand. I get the sand from a builders supply. I don't worry about PH either. I used a T8 P&A and a T5 for lights above my gas stove where the pilots kept the trays at 75-80F. I got 90-95% germination on all saved and most bought seeds this year.
They are usually more of an orangey tan when ripe, but I understand you can pick the pods and store in a paper bag before they are fully hard and dry...in a paper bag because they pop open and disperse the seed, it doesn't just fall out :)
If light green, I'd give them some more time though, some varieties don't fully ripen until Fall....or if you have several pods, pick and check one for the condition of the seed...dark brown to black and shiny is mature.
Here is a link that might be useful: Ripe dried pod and seed
It will be Oct before seedling can be transplanted to pots & then allower to grow on...... so I doubt there will be enough time unless you have a heated greenhouse......
I grow on in a heated greenhouse then give 5 week cold period & get flowers the first year,
Peppers are such sun lovers I have never tried keeping them indoors for their life cycle. I would expect them to develope spindly plants with weak stems and sparse fruit. Let us know how yours do. I would not expect an odor problem. Al
Thanks everyone, I think Dicot has the right idea. I've been reading about it and I think soil temperatures make a big difference with lettuce germinating. The containers are in the house with the A/C, it's much cooler inside.
Can anyone tell me what's a good soil fertilizer for salad crops? Or something I need to add to insure a good growth? I will try the outdoor crop in a few weeks when the temps get a little cooler.
Acold treatment (40F) for 3 weeks helpful.. lightly cover the seed. soil temp 68-75F taking 14-30 days to germinate. flowers 2nd year after cold period.
as to when can start I beleave in your zone can start any time.
I am in zone 9 coastal also. My colombines self seed. They have set seed already but there are new plants coming up from last season. I have several varieties and they all did well.