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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Starting Peppers from Seed

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  • From: Richard Stewart <rstewart AT zoomtown.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Starting Peppers from Seed
  • Date: Wed, 28 May 2008 08:54:41 -0400

I have roughly 400 pepper transplants in the ground right now on fabric mulch in raised beds. I started my transplants back in February and March (first year doing so and was not too sure how soon I could them in the ground..I am Zone 6b...I got them in the ground before May 1 but prolonged periods of rain had me transplanting even at the end of the month.

I used 1020 trays with 288 cells and I put a seed in each cell. I did four trays along with trays with a variety of tomatoes and had a 48" germination mat that kept the soil at 60 to 70 degrees (depending on how warm my basement got...I have a supplemental wood furnace down there so everything was nice and toasty. I used those clear lids as well to keep in the moisture since the air my basement was so dry.

The germination period raged from 14 to 20 days. I had near 100% germination rates. Regardless of the type of pepper (sweet bell, ristas, anchos, Hungarian) they all started germinating around the same time with some being a little bit dormant. From 14 to 20 days nearly all had germinated though).

I used seed starting soil from three sources and found little difference in result. One was an organic source (Johnny's Organic seed starting soil), one was one I made from a combination of mulched compost, mulched sawdust (to give it some fluff) and worm casting/ soil (I have no way to collect worm castings), and a Lowe's super fluffy ground material that actually seemed to have aluminum (or simply, metal) flakes in it, which makes me wonder how they made the junk. It worked though.

No amendments to any of the above and there was no difference in germination rates or post germination growth rates. I did not water heavy, I simply misted the surface and kept the surface moisture high. Once they had germinated and grown an inch I began to water to help the roots a bit. THis seemed to work well. It is important NOT too over water and let them go dry for a little bit so the the plant gets some air. I probably lost 100 transplants at this stage, prior to moving them over to larger cells because the roots simply rotted off. I also made the mistake of putting young transplants out in heavy early spring sun and sun scalded some just after true leaf development and I lost some as a result of that.

I started with probably 1200 to 1400 transplants total (not including peas and eggplants) and I put less than half of those in the ground. So, another part of my first year lesson learned is to expect losses and over produce at least twice what I need. If they survive I can always sell them at early markets!

My tomatoes are doing the best right now (I posted a picture of them on New Farm forum in the Dailies section). My Romas are almost exploding, which makes me giddy. First year and so far, so good.

I hope that helps!

Richard Stewart
Carriage House Farm
North Bend, Ohio

An Ohio Century Farm Est. 1855

(513) 967-1106
http://www.carriagehousefarmllc.com
rstewart AT zoomtown.com








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