Will they grow? Seed germination experiment

naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan

16 years ago

The winter snow got to me last week and I scrounged up various pepper seeds and planted them. None were anything I really wanted to grow, but rather ones I was curious as to "will they grow?" Some did already and I'm off to take some photos. Here's what I planted...any guesses as to which ones are up already?

---Two kinds of seeds collected off the floor near the bulk dried peppers at a local produce store. One kind was large seeds, one very small seeds. I'm guessing they were from the poblanos(anchos) and cayennes. The produce manager just laughed at the crazy lady who asked if she could pick up a few to grow.

---Two sets of seeds picked out of crushed pepper mixes. One had been in my cupboard forever. The other was included with a recent Chinese takeout order that we asked to have made hot.

---A few seeds from the shaker jar at our favorite pizza parlor, taken home wrapped in the sticky part of the high class napkin ring.

---Seeds from bagged dried California Chiles (Don Enrique brand) They were marked down to $.17 due to a damaged bag. They looked like a science experiment to me :)

---Also threw in a few seeds I saved from pods grown last summer to fill up the rest of the cells.

So, what's growing after 9 days? I'm off to check on the latest sprouts.

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Comments (5)

cmpman1974
16 years ago
I'm guessing Chile California seeds came up for sure based on color.

Chris
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
Original Author
16 years ago
Sorry, intended a follow up post and photo soon but got called away with a sick relative. Hope to get back to peppers in a day or two. Sorry
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naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
Original Author
16 years ago
What's up so far?

The large seeds from the large dried peppers in the bulk packaging at the produce store almost jumped out to the ground. Four out of four are growing well. The small seeds from the same floor area have not done anything yet.

The seeds from the dried Don Enrique brand dried California Chilis also grew, 7 out of 8 so far. They were at a large regional grocery chain. One package of these must contain thousands of seeds. The dried pepper does not seem to have much if any heat to it.

The seeds saved from my own pods germinated, 8 out of 10 as of today. YEA!!

All of the small seeds from dried or crushed cayenne-like peppers are unsprouted even though they are from 4 different sources. I'm wondering if they will sprout given more time, or if the drying process is different for them and results in killed seeds. Guess I'll keep checking on them.

So if cabin fever sets in, do some experimenting yourself. I probably am not going to keep these for the garden....but I haven't tossed them out yet, either :)

The peppers are a nice distraction in between trips to the hospital to visit my husband who continues to have problems with one eye. Doctors do not think it is terribly serious...but so far, no improvement :(
rodnebridges
16 years ago
well i don't have to much to add to this conversation except to say that it inspired me to try to germinate some hot pepper seeds i got from my local pizza joint. i also bought some habaneros and scotch bonnets, skinned em and got the seeds. by the way, make sure you follow all the caveats for handling the peppers, for i had a rather unpleasant eye-rubbing experience even after thoroughly washing my hands. i'm so anxious for the spring to get here. dammit !! good planting this year y'all
kj_57701
16 years ago
He, he!
It's a cool little project during the winter time :)
The reason I have not done it is that I know I would not be able to keep them long enough for the summer and killing the ones that actually make it distresses me :)

I am actually planning to try some mystery seeds this year too. I got some unknown seeds attached to a business card from Peppermania. Maybe they are some kind of Aji seeds (there's different colors from light to purple and black). Maybe they will germinate, maybe not. In any case, it's kind of exciting not having any idea at all!

In any case! I am thinking it sounds like the dried peppers have been experiencing too much heat in the drying process and are done for.

Look forward to hear how everything turns out. Sounds like it's been a success so far.

Will they grow? Seed germination experiment

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cmpman1974

naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
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Will they grow? Seed germination experiment

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cmpman1974

naturegirl_2007 5B SW MichiganOriginal Author

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naturegirl_2007 5B SW MichiganOriginal Author

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