I'm trying my hand at gardening for the first time this year and I've got some pepper seeds that I sowed about 13 days ago. The seed package claims they should germinate in 10-14 days, but nothing has happened yet. I suspect the cold temperatures in my basement might be the issue, as it only gets about 5-10 degrees warmer than outside. Should I move the seeds to a warmer room and give it another shot, or should I just start fresh with new seeds? Alternatively, is it worth considering buying some pepper plants from a store since we're already halfway through February?
6 Answers
If you bought those seeds, they should work fine! If they’re self-harvested from green peppers instead of ripe ones, that might be the problem. And hey, are you watering them? You didn’t mention anything about that.
Most pepper seeds like a steady temperature around 17°C to germinate. Once they’re warm enough, they should still come up for you. Don’t lose hope if you don't see any action yet; I’ve had some germinate after a month!
Put them in a warm area! A heat mat would be great if you prefer staying in the basement, or just bring them into a warm room nearby. I usually keep mine right above a heater for a few days, around 25°C, until they start sprouting, then I move them somewhere cooler with good light.
For best results, keep the soil warm and moist. I use a heat mat and a humidity dome, which helps a lot. Basements can be chilly, which may not cut it. Plus, once they do start sprouting, they’ll need plenty of light! Remember, even under perfect conditions, germination can still take a bit longer.
You should definitely try moving your seeds to a warmer spot before tossing in the towel and buying new ones. Just like how seeds naturally fall outside, they don’t sprout until it’s warm enough. Your seeds might still be good!
Patience is key! Sometimes seeds take a little longer than the ideal conditions suggest. Just hold tight for another week or two; they might surprise you!