Where did you get the seeds? Are they still viable? Rocoto germinate just the same as any other pepper for me. I did get a pack of Aji Largo (Pubescens) seeds last year, and I ony got one out of about 30 seeds to germinate. I gave the remaining 15 seeds or so away, and that person had 0 germination on them. I think those seeds were just really old, or not dried/stored properly. Maybe you just have some duds.Roguejim said:I've never gotten one to germinate. Tips? I use the typical covered mini-greenhouse on a heating mat.
I wouldn't throw those seeds out. Try to at least germinate them with the paper towel method, instead of throwing them out. There might be at least 1 viable on in there. Seeds can last for years, depending on how they were handled/stored. All you need is just one of those seeds to pop, for you to have a plant that will give you hundreds of fresh viable seeds to use for years to come.Roguejim said:Okay. Somehow, I got it in my head that they were difficult to germinate. Apparently, not. My seeds must not be viable since the others are germinating. It's probably time to go through my entire seed stock and cull the older seeds. What would you consider "old", i.e., needs to be thrown out? How many years?
Wow, bummer. They must really be duds. I just had 2 Montufar seedlings pop up last week. It took them 5-6 days in the paper towel to root, then another 4 days to pop out of the soil when I transplanted from the paper towel. Good luck!Roguejim said:I tried the paper towel at the same time. Nothing. They're just seeds, and I can get more. I hope these Montufar seeds germinate.
Roguejim said:I bought some rocoto seeds a few years back from pepperlover(Judy). They did not germinate. When I told this to Judy, she made a remark that these were tough to germinate, or something to that effect. I thought she meant rocoto seeds, in general. Maybe she just meant that particular lot of seeds...I don't know. I've had no luck with subsequent seeds from other sources(THP members). Anyway...
I've just planted 3 Rocoto Montufar seeds. I'm using a "professional" seed starting mix, which is nothing more than peat moss, vermiculite, and sand. The heat mat is located on a growing table in my basement, under a 400-watt HPS lamp where my seedlings are. I have a reflective shield keeping the light off the mini-greenhouse so the seed starting mix doesn't dry out on top too quickly.
While I'm on the subject of seed starting mixes, the only reason I'm using one is because I happen to have some on hand. I think they work fine, but no better than 100% peat moss, and certainly not worth the extra $$. I proved this to my own satisfaction 1 or 2 years ago on this forum by doing a side-by-side comparison. I got 100% germination from both growing mediums, and, neither was quicker than the other.. Neither group was "healthier" than the other. They were identical.