Peppers

[LittleLady]

Hi,
I've got some peppers (shop bought) and am wondering if I can use the seeds inside them for planting?

If so, how do I go about it?

Thanks

LittleLady x

[Lesley Jay]

Just remove the seeds and sow them very shallow in some compost. You will need to grow them inside as peppers just don't grow properly for me in Cheshire when I plant them outside.

But...........they might not grow as supermarket veg is treated to kill bacteria, stop it sprouting and give it a longer shelf life which can stop the seeds germinating. If the pepper originated from the mediterranean the plants might not like growing in our climate and also it might be an F1 variety which means the peppers you grow will not grow true to type.

Don't let that put you off!! Lots of people have great success growing veg from seeds saved from supermarket veg.

[LittleLady]

I just checked and they're from Holland.

Do I need to be using a propagator for this kind of growing? Also, should I add anything else to the compost? Special food or something like that?

Thanks Lesley x

[Lesley Jay]

You only need to use a propagator for starting seeds off that need a constant high temperature to germinate. Peppers and chillies do but as soon as the seedlings start to grow they need taking out of the propagator or else they become 'leggy'. Use a container to sow the seeds in, cover with cling film which creates a mini greenhouse and put on a sunny windowsill or in an airing cupboard to germinate. Take off the windowsill at night as temperatures drop and if you put them in the airing cupboard check every day and remove as soon as the seedlings show as they quickly become 'leggy' searching for the light. No special food need at this stage!

You might not get peppers this year but next season you will have a head start with fully grown plants.

[Garfiun]

So if i keep the seeds from the pepper what do i do then?
Do i dry them out or just sow them straight away?

[Lesley Jay]

They should be fine just sown straight away.

[DunDiggin]

I've never had a problem getting supermarket bought peppers seeds to germinate, in fact I find they germinate better than the seed packet variety.
My problem is I can't get them to flower, even in the green house. plenty of growth, both height and leaf but no flowers - any suggestions?