Growing chilies from seed is very easy and fun. Allow the chili seeds to germinate in a consistently warm place and use a light compost to make the seeds germinate quickly. Carefully transfer the saplings to small pots, keep them warm, and water regularly. Move the plant to a larger pot as it grows, or plant it in the garden if the weather conditions are warm enough. Pick chili peppers from the plant regularly to add flavor to your dishes!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Sprouts from Chili Seeds
Step 1. Place the chili seeds between two damp paper towels
Wet two sheets of paper towels. Spread the chili seeds on one of the paper towels and cover with the second strand on top. Place the seeds in a zip lock bag or plastic container and seal tightly.
Step 2. Store the seeds in a warm place for 2-5 days
As a general rule, chili seeds need a temperature of around 23-30 °C in order to germinate. Put it in a place that is always warm (eg on a heating mat) for 2-5 days until it swells and sprouts. Make sure the heat source is not too intense so that it doesn't melt the zip lock bag or plastic container where the seeds are.
- Pre-germination treatment before the seeds are planted in compost or in soil like this will give chili peppers greater growth opportunities.
- In warm climates, chili seeds can be placed outdoors to germinate, as long as the temperature does not drop below 15 °C.
Step 3. Prepare the seed tray
Fill large seed trays or those with small cell boxes with compost or light ready-to-plant soil to the brim. Break up large lumps. Press compost 1-2 millimeters deep and water.
The soil should be watered just before the seeds are planted. After that, water just a little until the seeds germinate
Step 4. Spread and cover the chili seeds
Place the seeds one at a time on top of the compost, 5 cm apart. Cover it lightly with compost. Gently compress the compost and lightly spray it with water in the bottle.
Step 5. Cover the chili seeds and let them germinate
Place a plastic cover over the seedling tray to retain heat and moisture. Place the tray in the same warm place as before. Alternatively, you can purchase an electric germination mat or tray (available at garden supply stores) to help keep the seeds at a consistent warm temperature.
Step 6. Keep an eye on the seeds
Observe the seed tray to monitor growth and ensure compost quality. The compost should be damp, but not muddy, and shouldn't be watered unless it feels completely dry. Seeds will begin to germinate after about two weeks.
Method 2 of 3: Transferring Chilli Saplings to a Pot
Step 1. Remove the tillers from the tray
Once the saplings reach a height of about 5 cm and have 5-6 leaves, move them to a larger area so they don't overcrowd the roots. Carefully remove the tillers from the tray. Do not disturb the roots.
Water the chili seedlings before moving so that the compost does not fall out
Step 2. Plant each sapling in a separate pot
Prepare a pot with a diameter of approximately 10 cm and fill it with compost. Water the compost a little and make a hole right in the middle. Carefully insert the saplings into the empty hole and bury the surroundings with compost.
- If you live in a colder climate, plant chili seedlings in pots and place them indoors. Install a grow-light and place it in a warm room.
- Chili plants can be moved from pots to the garden if the weather and soil are warm enough.
Step 3. Change the pot to a larger size as needed
As the chili plant continues to grow, transfer it to a larger pot. Get a bigger pot and fill it with compost, then make a hole in the middle. Carefully dig the peppers out of the old pot and allow the compost to stick together to protect the root tissue. Put the plant in a larger pot.
- If you want to keep the chilies small, just plant them in small pots to prevent them from growing.
- Changes in pot size generally start from 10 cm in diameter to 15 cm, then 20 cm.
Step 4. Make sure the plant gets enough warmth and light
Place the chili pot near a window or outdoors to get some sun. Bring the plant in if the outdoor temperature drops. The amount of light that plants get will directly affect the speed and size of their growth.
If the plant is indoors and isn't getting enough natural sunlight, purchase a greenhouse lamp or a small artificial light source (available online or at garden supply stores)
Method 3 of 3: Transferring Chili Plants to the Garden
Step 1. Plant the chilies
Find a bright spot in the garden that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight. Dig a hole large enough to hold a sapling or chili plant. Use a garden fork to dig up some of the soil at the bottom of the hole and add a handful of compost into it. Carefully plant the chilies into the hole and fill the empty space around them with an even mixture of soil and compost.
Keep a distance of at least 45 cm from other plants to ensure the chili has enough room to grow
Step 2. Water and fertilize the plant regularly
In warm, hot climates, water the chilies daily to keep them hydrated. Don't over-water. Make sure the soil is moist, but not muddy. Fertilize the plant with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer (available at plant stores) every two weeks.
Step 3. Keep the plant warm
Chili plants should only be moved outdoors in warm climates or places with very long summers. For areas with long summers, it is best to move the chilies outside in June. Purchase a protective hood or dome (a plant cover stuck to the ground around it) to protect the plant from cold weather.
Tips
- Pick chilies as often as possible so that the plant continues to grow fruit and the fruit weight does not decrease.
- When the plant begins to droop, set it straight so it doesn't fall.
- Before being transferred to the garden, get used to chili plants with outdoor conditions first. The trick, take it out for a few hours a day, for 2 weeks.
