Be careful NOT to overwater. You will find that peppers are very slow to germinate. They will also take much longer to get big than tomatoes. Peppers can actually dry out somewhat during germination and it is better than overwatering. Several of us here are having trouble getting peppers to germinate this year whereas we've had good luck in years past...your results sound pretty good so far, hang in there!
I've used the paper towel method before, and it will work, but I have had the roots grab the paper and tear off before. Besides, it's easier to just plop them in the soil than to tranfer them later, but it is a good method if done right.

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Dave
Even my growlights are getting restless!

Are you doming them to keep the moisture in? If done correctly, you shouldn't have to water at all.

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I start all my vegetables from seed in the same dome and as they sprout, I take them out...leaving the ones that haven't sprouted in the dome. I've never had to worry about over or under watering...they stay moist from the initial dose.

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No..I don't transplant...they're all in seperate little containers. You have all your seeds in the same flat?
You da' man!

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I transplant into larger cups in potting soil...I usually use styrfoam...when the get a set or two of their true leaves, then usually have to transplant one more time into 16oz cups (beer cups) before getting them in the garden..which for me isn't until the end of May. If they getting "montrous", I'd transplant in larger cups. Do they have a set of true leaves fully developed?

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Ciao Danno,

Your enthusiasm is just too cute. First of all, I think you just need to take a deep breath, you're doing fine. What happened is that you started veggies together that have HUGELY different germination and growing rates. Cucurbits, the cucumber family grow FAST and get HUGE quickly. I usually wait to plant those in peat pots straight away after the tomatoes get transplanted outside. They come up almost immediately and get big enough to transplant in only a week or 2. I actually sowed squash seeds directly last year at the same time the tomatoes went into the ground and they did fine as well. We have a huge problem with earwigs who like to eat tender transplants so it's always my big goal to beat the little dinosaurs out of the ground by planting cucurbits a little bit earlier and cover them if necessary so I don't have to deal with emaciated plants later from bug damage.

You just need a little patience with your pepper seedlings. Sometimes they can take over a month to germinate, but usually it's between 1-3 weeks and they do grow slowly. We're in about the same zone as you are and my boyfriend started his peppers on 25 February. They're about 8" tall now and some have set flowers, but some are also only 2" tall.

Best of luck with your garden and keep us posted!

Julianna

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quote:

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Or you can cut them into 6 pks before seeding

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That's what I do.
My green peppers popped up right away..Jalapenos took 4 days..but my Thai Chilis were slooow!! I've already potted up my green peppers and jalapenos, my thai chilis still haven't dropped their seed coats. Patience is a virtue I guess...that's a very valuable characteristic trait...wish I had it!!

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