• If you need help identifying a pepper, disease, or plant issue, please post in Identification.

New to growing peppers

FullersFire

FullersFire

Hey everyone, I decided I wanted to start growing my own hot peppers and so I ordered some seeds. I am completely new to growing these so I am just wondering where to start, I was planning on using jiffy peat pellets to germinate and then go on from there, is this a wise choice? How many peat pellets should i get, I ordered 50 seeds. Any help is appreciated, cheers. :P
 
Welcome to THP
 
you got seeds ordered. What did you order and from where?
 
Jiffy peat pots are fine for starts
 
When are you planning to sow and what have you in the way of a setup to grow these pepper plants till you plant outside?
 
Hi Fullersfire! Welcome to the pepper addiction! I will tell you as a newbie of last year. The site can be a bit overwhelming when you first start out. I did my first very successful grow last year mainly lurking the glogs and grow tech forums, there are some really informative stuff you can find there. Depending on where you live and the prep you need to get seeds started you're off to a great start simply by being a part of this pepper loving family. Everyone is super helpful and you can find pretty much any answers to questions you have simply using the search bar. However, if you get stuck and need another person who's recently been in your shoes please feel more than free to shoot me a PM and I will help you put a foot in the right direction as many have helped me. Again, welcome and I hope you have a great 2016 grow!
 
Hello and welcome FullersFire,
I would suggest to read growing hot peppers guide (Big Kahuna linked it in 3rd post). There is alot of useful information.
About the quantity of peat pellets, it all depends how much plants you want to grow. But remember, not all seeds will germinate, so you will have to start more pellets, than you want plants. I germinate seeds with paper towel method (you can find it in the mentioned guide), that way i can know for sure, how much sprouted. 
One more thing about peat pellets, they dry quickly.
 
Big Kahuna said:
Welcome!

Start here:
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/46361-growing-hot-peppers-guide-faq/

Some people like using using peat pellets, others don't. FWIW, I will be starting my seeds in 10oz cups filled with this:
http://www.promixfindgrowtopia.com/product/detail/pro-mix-ultimate-organic-seed-starting-mix

I will be sowing my seeds soon, I recommend sowing within the next six weeks if you want ripe pods before the first frost comes.
Click to expand...
thank you, I have read that guide ill try and use it to my advantage.

 
CAPCOM said:
Welcome to THP
 
you got seeds ordered. What did you order and from where?
 
Jiffy peat pots are fine for starts
 
When are you planning to sow and what have you in the way of a setup to grow these pepper plants till you plant outside?
Click to expand...
Hey capcom, i ordered a variety pack of super hots, it comes with 5 different superhots so not sure yet but will update when they arrive and i got them from peppernorth. I am planning to sow them soon within the next week, i live near toronto ontario so winter is going to be around for a little but im eager so im gonna to start them indoors until last frost. I am planning on getting a sunblaster t5 grow light, will this be good enough?
snottyfox said:
Hi Fullersfire! Welcome to the pepper addiction! I will tell you as a newbie of last year. The site can be a bit overwhelming when you first start out. I did my first very successful grow last year mainly lurking the glogs and grow tech forums, there are some really informative stuff you can find there. Depending on where you live and the prep you need to get seeds started you're off to a great start simply by being a part of this pepper loving family. Everyone is super helpful and you can find pretty much any answers to questions you have simply using the search bar. However, if you get stuck and need another person who's recently been in your shoes please feel more than free to shoot me a PM and I will help you put a foot in the right direction as many have helped me. Again, welcome and I hope you have a great 2016 grow!
Click to expand...
Thanks! feels a little overwhelming when you are first starting but i hope to learn quickly and growing some nice peppers, ill pm you if i need to ask anything thanks! :)
Lietuvis said:
Hello and welcome FullersFire,
I would suggest to read growing hot peppers guide (Big Kahuna linked it in 3rd post). There is alot of useful information.
About the quantity of peat pellets, it all depends how much plants you want to grow. But remember, not all seeds will germinate, so you will have to start more pellets, than you want plants. I germinate seeds with paper towel method (you can find it in the mentioned guide), that way i can know for sure, how much sprouted. 
One more thing about peat pellets, they dry quickly.
Click to expand...
thanks Lietuvis, i may try the paper towel method.
 
I looked up Sunblaster t5 lighting because I am not familiar with the line. They come in various lengths and are linkable up to 8 strips.
T5HO - COMPLETE KIT  2' 24W 6400K
T5HO - COMPLETE KIT  3' 39W 6400K
T5HO - COMPLETE KIT  4' 54W 6400K
 
However their specific information was minimal at best as they do not post the actual output intensity the lights are emitting. Lumens would be pretty nice. I did not search their entire website so the info may be hidden in there somewhere. And I am pretty sure there is a breakdown somewhere on the max you could expect from any particular bulb.
 
I dont use t5s ,t8s, or for that matter any florescent lighting except for my grow room main lighting so if the breakdown does exist, I am not familiar with it.
 
You did not specify how many strips or of that length you ordered and how many total plants you intended on growing. I would have to guess then, that used as supplemental lighting in conjunction with a well lit south facing window you might get some satisfactory results for maybe a few plants. I doubt it will be anywhere near spectacular but then again, every stag of the first grow is spectacular.
 
If reasonably successful, your plants if you start them today will be 6 mos old at plant out. They will if well kept, be needing room to stretch before then if they haven't already. They will all be in solo cups for sure and maybe 1 gal containers.
Good planning is the essence of a good grow.
 
CAPCOM said:
I looked up Sunblaster t5 lighting because I am not familiar with the line. They come in various lengths and are linkable up to 8 strips.
T5HO - COMPLETE KIT  2' 24W 6400K
T5HO - COMPLETE KIT  3' 39W 6400K
T5HO - COMPLETE KIT  4' 54W 6400K
 
However their specific information was minimal at best as they do not post the actual output intensity the lights are emitting. Lumens would be pretty nice. I did not search their entire website so the info may be hidden in there somewhere. And I am pretty sure there is a breakdown somewhere on the max you could expect from any particular bulb.
 
I dont use t5s ,t8s, or for that matter any florescent lighting except for my grow room main lighting so if the breakdown does exist, I am not familiar with it.
 
You did not specify how many strips or of that length you ordered and how many total plants you intended on growing. I would have to guess then, that used as supplemental lighting in conjunction with a well lit south facing window you might get some satisfactory results for maybe a few plants. I doubt it will be anywhere near spectacular but then again, every stag of the first grow is spectacular.
 
If reasonably successful, your plants if you start them today will be 6 mos old at plant out. They will if well kept, be needing room to stretch before then if they haven't already. They will all be in solo cups for sure and maybe 1 gal containers.
Good planning is the essence of a good grow.
Click to expand...
I am planning on using the t5 light until i can move the plants outdoors, the package for the light says light output: 2232 initial lumens. I am not planning on using this light for future growing just to get things started. I am also wondering whether i should plant one seed per pellet or more? I ordered 50 seeds, 10 of each kind of whatever i get. I am not sure how many plants I would like to have yet.

thanks for the info above!
 
FullersFire said:
I am planning on using the t5 light until i can move the plants outdoors, the package for the light says light output: 2232 initial lumens. I am not planning on using this light for future growing just to get things started. I am also wondering whether i should plant one seed per pellet or more? I ordered 50 seeds, 10 of each kind of whatever i get. I am not sure how many plants I would like to have yet.

thanks for the info above!
Click to expand...
I take it that it is only one strip light then at 2232 total lumens. You will germ seeds and get sprouts providing temps are good but for 6 mos grow you are going to be short on light. 3000 lumens per sq ft is a good foot print. Light is the most important of requirements from the start. Provide too little and you will grow pepper vines. Add the south facing window and you might get by with a couple of plants.
 
CAPCOM said:
I take it that it is only one strip light then at 2232 total lumens. You will germ seeds and get sprouts providing temps are good but for 6 mos grow you are going to be short on light. 3000 lumens per sq ft is a good foot print. Light is the most important of requirements from the start. Provide too little and you will grow pepper vines. Add the south facing window and you might get by with a couple of plants.
Click to expand...
what light would you recommend, not for growing all year indoors but just to get an early start on things before planting outside?
 
Well before you decide on a light you have to know exactly how much room you have to grow in( in sq ft) and adapt your light choice to that space. then that will determine how many plants you can grow. You just reversed it.
 
Say you have 10 sq ft to grow in. 10 sq ft x 3000 lumens psf =30,000 lumens total output for your chosen light. Say your light is rated for 145 lumens per watt. 30,000 lumens /145=206 w. you would need a 200w light.
 
This is of course open to confirmation or disagreement. I dont make a habit of throwing these #s together and could be in error. but it looks about right.
 
CAPCOM said:
Well before you decide on a light you have to know exactly how much room you have to grow in( in sq ft) and adapt your light choice to that space. then that will determine how many plants you can grow. You just reversed it.
 
Say you have 10 sq ft to grow in. 10 sq ft x 3000 lumens psf =30,000 lumens total output for your chosen light. Say your light is rated for 145 lumens per watt. 30,000 lumens /145=206 w. you would need a 200w light.
 
This is of course open to confirmation or disagreement. I dont make a habit of throwing these #s together and could be in error. but it looks about right.
Click to expand...
i rigged something up, okay im using a one strip sunblaster t5 light and a 72 peat pellet dome 
 
This is what happens, real fast.
 
20140615_122727.jpg
 
Very good choice.
You can do multiple seed per pot to up you germ %. If seed is from good source and your moisture and temps are spot on you dont need to though. That is a choice you have 100% control of and there is no wrong answer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top