Post Punk Kitchen Forum

So I planted 2 different types of bell peppers in two different places in my yard and...BUBKIS! They're the only seeds that didn't germinate. I didn't think that peppers were particularly problematic (tongue twister!) so I don't know what's up. What say you?

Maybe birds ate the seeds? They ate most of my lettuce sprouts and collard sprouts but don't give two figs and the spinach right next to those two.

I'm of the opinion that that's one of those that you have to start indoors.

I always start mine off indoors. Put some moist seeding compost in an ice cream tub or a plastic takeaway container, stick the seeds in and cover them over. I normally then put a sandwich bag/polythene bag over it to form a tiny little greenhouse and then leave it a sunny spot.

is it hot enough? they really might not come til it is warm (and so you start them indoors).
i'm also surprised that every year SOMETHING decides to not start (could be organic seeds, or not, doesn't matter)- it's always a surprise.

I started my seeds inside and my peppers took almost a week longer to sprout than my tomatoes, kale, and chard.

my peppers took a while to sprout and i started them indoors where it's warm. it could be the cooler weather or the birds could have eaten them. i blame the birds. i basically start everything indoors whether you should or not just to give them a head start on the birds, mice, rats, and cats that hang out in our yard.

It's not the birds, I waaaay overplant to make sure of that. It's been goddam hot, but maybe not hot enough? I really want to start stuff indoors, but I don't have a window where I can do it. Sucks! My enclosed porch might work now that it's hot. Ya think it's too late to try some stuff indoors now?

it can't hurt. worst that can happen is that they don't grow. i started my peppers a wee bit late, but i'm sure they'll be ok. even if you just make sure they sprout inside and then move them out in a couple weeks, i don't think it'd be a big deal.

have you been getting a lot of rain? we have here and the soil is saturated and i think that would drown the seeds or cause them to rot pretty quickly. so maybe that?

Mine were about a week or so later than my other veg. I was convinced that it was the birds too. They've sprouted and I have a feeling I should've germinated them.

No, but maybe I've been overwatering? I don't know! Everyone else is ok. Well, my basil looks a little yellow. I am always insecure about watering.

You could also go buy plants, if you don't want to buy Bonnie plants, our Farmer's Market and health food store always has plants for sale.

Peppers (and eggplants) like the soil really warm to germinate so they can pop up quite a while after the other types of plant seeds are already up. I usually start mine indoors.

OK so you think there is still a chance they'll pop up? It's been maybe 3 weeks?

I've had them take as long as 2 weeks to germinate indoors under grow lights that were keeping the soil at 75 degrees. I'd say there is still a chance they'll come up.

The seed might have been planted too deeply, or it could have rotted - there are a lot of fungal disease organisms in soil that can cause something called "damping off." If you were watering a few times daily this could also encourage rot. While seeds don't want to dry out, they also don't want to be sitting in water for too long. It's tricky.

If you want to try from seed again (now or next year) you could presprout the seeds inside and then gently plant them out when you see the first sign of life (the radicle) emerging. Method: Soak overnight, then fold them in a damp paper towel or newspaper, put this in a plastic bag and store in a warm, dark cupboard. Start checking in 2-3 days and every day thereafter until they're ready. If the storage area is warm enough and still no sprouts, give up after 10 days.

If you're starting in pots, the radicle may be growing for a longer length of time before you see anything above the soil, so 2 -3 weeks isn't unreasonable.

Thanks for the advice!!