I just put several hot pepper seeds (Carolina Reaper, Brazilian Moruga, and Chocolate Moruga Brain) in wet paper towels to start them using this video (yes yes I know I am very late)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDaiFGhxnRY
Thing is, do I need to put them under a grow light? Or not yet and giving them light could cause harm?
Also, considering it's still rather cold here, should I put them (again, they are just in wet paper towels in a zip-lock bag for now) on a heat mat? And if so, I am assuming it should not be at the normal seedling temperature of 80-85F, so what should I set the mat to?
I was recommended that light was not needed until they are at the stage where they are seedlings in soil, so then would a light cause damage if I were to use it this early? Or would it just do nothing so I can leave it plugged in for now?
Also, others recommended I use a heat mat still at 80F, and when I asked what I would do with the temperature sensor since it normally is supposed to go in soil and there isn't any right now, they recommended I put it between the mat and one of the bags of seeds. Would this be an accurate way to get the temperature? Or would it measure too hot/cold? I am a little worried that I would dry out or even cook the seeds with too much heat, but the floor of my house right now is pretty cold and I am not sure how well they would germinate if I were to leave them alone with no heating.
Finally, in that video it was recommended that you leave about one inch of the bag unsealed... but would that let the water dry out if I were to put them on a heating mat? The video recommended I leave a piece of the bag open, while others recommended I seal the bag completely if I wanted to use a heating mat.
Any suggestions about any of this? I haven't had much luck in the past trying to grow these so I am trying to find any advice and tips I can.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDaiFGhxnRY
Thing is, do I need to put them under a grow light? Or not yet and giving them light could cause harm?
Also, considering it's still rather cold here, should I put them (again, they are just in wet paper towels in a zip-lock bag for now) on a heat mat? And if so, I am assuming it should not be at the normal seedling temperature of 80-85F, so what should I set the mat to?
I was recommended that light was not needed until they are at the stage where they are seedlings in soil, so then would a light cause damage if I were to use it this early? Or would it just do nothing so I can leave it plugged in for now?
Also, others recommended I use a heat mat still at 80F, and when I asked what I would do with the temperature sensor since it normally is supposed to go in soil and there isn't any right now, they recommended I put it between the mat and one of the bags of seeds. Would this be an accurate way to get the temperature? Or would it measure too hot/cold? I am a little worried that I would dry out or even cook the seeds with too much heat, but the floor of my house right now is pretty cold and I am not sure how well they would germinate if I were to leave them alone with no heating.
Finally, in that video it was recommended that you leave about one inch of the bag unsealed... but would that let the water dry out if I were to put them on a heating mat? The video recommended I leave a piece of the bag open, while others recommended I seal the bag completely if I wanted to use a heating mat.
Any suggestions about any of this? I haven't had much luck in the past trying to grow these so I am trying to find any advice and tips I can.