Germination Trick For Hot Peppers

[stratcat]

Mix some white vinegar, water and sand in a small jar. Cap the jar with seeds in it and shake. Sow the seeds.

I got this tip from a pepper article in Organic Gardening magazine ca. 1997.

In 2003, I only got two Tepin peppers to sprout. I found the photocopied article in my garden box in 2004 and using that method got most of the same seed to sprout that year.

I've had good luck using this technique. First I count my seeds out so I don't get any mix ups. I use a strainer to get every seed out before moving on to the next variety.

[peppereater]

Thanks, strat! It's certainly worth a try. I've never had better than 80 percent or so germ, and some years much less.
I could comment on some very poor advice OG has offered in the past, but when something works, it works, glad to hear of your success. I'll do that with the next round of pepp sowing.

[betsylt]

Any thoughts on the ratios of vinegar, water, and sand? I would love to try this, but I could use a rough idea of what relative volumes worked for ya, strat.

Thanks!

Betsy

[stratcat]

Hi, Betsy.

I use ~equal portions of water and white vinegar in a baby food jar with some sand/sandy soil thrown in. It's not technical.

Nice to see you posting here. Welcome!

john

[jcm05]

Great tip Strat. Thanks for posting it. Have you tried it with tomato seeds?

[Penny]

Excellent tip Strat, thanks.

[stratcat]

Thanks, guys. Haven't tried it with tomato seeds.