Re: [CH] To New Gardeners Part 1

Dave Anderson (Chilehead@tough-love.com)
Sat, 25 Mar 2000 21:59:08 -0800 

I have a dozen books that don't agree with Nancy Bubel and there 
ain't a peony within a hundred miles of me.

The Burpee Seed Starter book ( and even Byron will have to admit 
that Burpees have been around for a while) says "When seedlings 
have developed their first set of true leaves they need to be thinned 
out and/or transplanted into larger containers." This is not true for 
peppers. We usually plant 2-3 seeds per cell in six packs and thin 
or transplant to cells where they may not have germinated when 
they have 2-3 true leaves. If well lighted, they won't be very big, but 
they certainly will be able to handle the trauma of being 
transplanted better than with a single true leaf. We keep them in 
the six pack through the hardening off period and transplant them 
directly into the garden. At 6-8 weeks after they germinate, they 
have great roots.and are easily transplanted.

When we have late freezes an frosts, we transplant to bigger pots 
and use wall-o-waters when we move our plants outside. There are 
many factors which will affect how your plants will grow in the 
garden. As a minimum, soil temperature, humidity, winds, altitude, 
soil quality, amount of water required, first and last frost dates in 
your area must be considered.

Regarding Germination:

I will be adding a new ornamental variety called "Prairie Fire" to my 
seed list. The breeders have applied for a plant patent like "Red 
Savina and Francisca" habaneros. We started a flat for a local 
retail nursery on 3/3/00 and they are still germinating. Some 
germinated on 3/10/00. Just keep up the bottom heat, moisture, 
sterile soil and don't give up!!!

Dave Anderson
Tough Love Chile Co.
http://www.tough-love.com





> Now that you have your seeds started the next thing you are going to be
> doing is planting out.
> 
> Peppers are very sensitive to soil temperature so here are some plant out
> tips
> 
> 1. From Stokes and Johnny's seed cataloge. Growers guide,Transplant with the
> soil temp is at 60F
> 
> Here I suggest a compost thermometer, cost about $12, Plus or minus 2 deg F
> is close enough.
> 
> 2. From phenology, Source "The New Seed Starters Handbook" by Nancy Bubel.
> Transplant peppers when peonies are in full bloom
> 
> 3. From Jerry Bakers "On The Garden Line"
> When you can walk in your garden in your barefeet comfortably.
> 
> 4. From a Brit Gal on Gardenweb forums.
>   "When you can sit in your garden with a bare bottom comfortably"
> 
> Personal opinion, I use items 1 and 2, When my peonies start to bloom I
> stick my compost thermometer in the ground. I use this thermometer because I
> don't have to bend over so far to read it.
> 
> Personal opinion items 3 and 4, from some of the photos I have of seen of
> some CH, item 3 would take at less than 1/2 the time to wash up afterward
> than item 4.
> 
> Now these are very low tech methods of getting the job done. It works. You
> are welcome to use any or just hit the delete key, your option
> 
> Byron
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>