It is what it is 2023

Under extreme pressure from my peers I am reluctantly starting my 2023 glog
Haven't actually planted any seeds yet, but it won't be long before I succumb to the gentle scent of compost, the lure of germination and the excitement of seeing a sprout
I am, however, cleaning all my plant tags if that's not commitment I don't know what is

 

[Ratatouille]

Have you tried shouting at them? (It didn't work for me, but you never know.)

 

[Simcows]

My annuums were all over the place too. I'm sure they'll come!

 

[MarcV]

Have you tried shouting at them? (It didn't work for me, but you never know.)

You're supposed to TALK to them, not SHOUT

 

[Tinkerbelle]

I sing to them, probably where I'm going wrong

 

[Ratatouille]

You're supposed to TALK to them, not SHOUT

I'M NOT PATIENT ENOUGH FOR TALKING. (It gets better further down the growing season though, when I find my calm again.)

 

[Tinkerbelle]

this is just so weird - tomato seeds coming up, no heat mat, just window ledge and greenhouse, planted last Saturday while the riots were going on.
That's it annuums you're dead meat
I'll go check them now and they'll be popping and looking embarrassed

 

[Tinkerbelle]

and you want to know the worst thing? Yes? Good.
The chinenses that I planted 5 days after the annuums are up and waving around

So riddle me this -
heat mat too hot for annuums? 25-26 deg C
seeds don't like being soaked in dilute lemon juice? Possibly but everything else has been happy with it
Same compost
Same seed trays
Rain water for watering

What is going on here?

 

[Nulle]

Have you tried shouting at them? (It didn't work for me, but you never know.)

You're supposed to TALK to them, not SHOUT

When shouting, talking and singing to them doesn't work, try threatening as a last resort

 

[Tinkerbelle]

chuh they're out in the greenhouse now and they can stay there until they sprout - I need the heat mat to start some more.
I feel better now, less stressed

 

[skullbiker]

and you want to know the worst thing? Yes? Good.
The chinenses that I planted 5 days after the annuums are up and waving around

So riddle me this -
heat mat too hot for annuums? 25-26 deg C
seeds don't like being soaked in dilute lemon juice? Possibly but everything else has been happy with it
Same compost
Same seed trays
Rain water for watering

What is going on here?

I know everyone has their preference but I set the thermostat for my heat mat at 85°f/29-30c, with heat probe down half way in one of the center cells. It works for me.

 

[MarcV]

I set the thermostat at 26°C during germination, measured in the air of the heated propagator. I too noticed a slower germination from the annuums compared to the chinenses but they all did germinate.

 

[Tinkerbelle]

and to make matters worse - a friend who has never grown chilli peppers before has just emailed to say that a Black Hungarian has just popped - KILL - ME - NOW

 

[Ratatouille]

Ask her to try this again next year. She'll learn.

 

[CaneDog]

It's that darn beginner's luck!

 

[Tinkerbelle]

The state of play so far - time for some more bad photos
The overwintered babies

1st phase peppers

2nd phase

3rd phase

4th phase

5th phase are still snug indoors
6th phase waiting to be potted on
7th phase soaking
And the Black Hungarians are still asleep

 

[Ratatouille]

Wow Tink, you should start a nursery. Things are looking good.

 

[Tinkerbelle]

I'm pleased with them - just need to set aside about 40 for the charity shop, that is going to be so tough

 

[Tinkerbelle]

I now have the "germinate and be damned" jalapeno seeds coming up after 4 days (same compost, last year's seeds and same heat) - after waiting 27 days for the last lot to show.
I'm thinking about chucking a load of Black Hungarian seeds into a seed tray and putting them out in the greenhouse, no heat mat, and see what happens. Can't be worse than it is now.
Tough love remember

 

[Ratatouille]

Speaking out of experience, I have to ask. Are you sure it's a pepper seedling sprouting?

 

[Tinkerbelle]

that proper made me