Growing hot peppers

[BigFoot]

Going to start getting ready to grow some hot hot peppers. Anybody have any good tips? Plan on germinating this week sometime. Any tips on germinating/transplanting/growing will be greatly appreciated. The kinds I'll be growing are the butch t scorpion, ghost, chocolate hab, fire, and jalapeño.

[GoingPostal]

Well I only have experience with Jalapenos. First thing is they start off slow so got a be a little patient. Biggest trick is keeping the soil moist/wet but not overwatering this goes for germinating all the way till you transplant them in the garden.

Also they love the sun, so get them as much sun. Maybe its where i live but watch for weeds it's probably the wet soil but you got to weed more often than not. The greatest thing you'll find about growing your own peppers is that they'll be much spicer than ones you get at the grocery store.

[BigFoot]

Yeah, this year I'm doing it right, trying to at least. Last year I grew them in pots and had a shitty yield. Never tried growing any of the super hots. See how it goes. I'm going to build a nice little garden bed and get them in the ground this year.

[GoingPostal]

Yeah the ground give you the best yields just give em some space cause Jalapenos usually get to 2 to 3 feet high. and i don't know how your weather is but frost will wreak havoc on them

[theribdoctor]

a gardener friend gave me worm poop when I was growing habaneros and some other peppers...

http://www.wormpoop.com/

[BigFoot]

a gardener friend gave me worm poop when I was growing habaneros and some other peppers...

http://www.wormpoop.com/

Hey rib, how did you use it? Just mixed it in with the soil?

[stogies&hoagies]

I buy plants already started at the farmers market. Super easy to grow peppers, no magic needed. Lots of sun and good soil. We have clay so I use miracle grow (occasionally) and composted soil. We have a bumper crop every year.

[BigFoot]

I buy plants already started at the farmers market. Super easy to grow peppers, no magic needed. Lots of sun and good soil. We have clay so I use miracle grow (occasionally) and composted soil. We have a bumper crop every year.

I do this to, but highly doubt I'll find the super hots anywhere!

[theribdoctor]

Hey rib, how did you use it? Just mixed it in with the soil?

yup, and add a little dusting on top of the soil...i had too many peppers...kept looking for things to do with them.

[NickThePyro]

I personally have no experience but please keep us updated. I have always been a huge spicy food fan and have contemplated growing my own peppers for a while now. My mom already grows Jalapenos with decent success and has a huge garden I can plant in. I want to grow habenero peppers since I love their heat/flavor profile unlike ghost chilli's where they are impractical to my food choices. One day I will get to that level.

[theribdoctor]

I've ordered from here before...not sure how far away they are from you...

http://www.chileplants.com/search.as...earchButton=Go

[BigFoot]

I've ordered from here before...not sure how far away they are from you...

http://www.chileplants.com/search.as...earchButton=Go

Shoot, wish I had known earlier. I'm going to start from seed this year.

[theribdoctor]

I would call them up or visit anyways...perhaps they can help you out.

[itallushrt]

I grow from seed every year.

Being that you are in NJ I think you are starting your seeds way early if you are moving the plants outside. They will be leggy and weak by the time you should be safe to move outside (frost free zone). Are you moving them outside or growing inside?


1. soak your seeds over night in distilled water.

2. your soil for your seeds needs: to be warm - 80 degrees is best and to be fertilizer free when starting your seeds ... and completely STERILE

3. Your seeds do not need light until they sprout. Then they need 16 hours a day until you move them outside.

what light(s) are you using to start your plants? This has a big effect on how you will transition them outside (if you are).

Answer up and then I can help more. I have a lot of experience in this area and have won numerous ribbons in state level competitions for my peppers.

[itallushrt]

Biggest trick is keeping the soil moist/wet but not overwatering

If you want your peppers to produce much more capsaicin then you should stress your plants by underwatering. It is a fine line between harming the plant and stressing it, but it is safer than overwatering (which most amateur gardners do and end up killing the plant).