I can't answer your question about the gel... that sounds more like when you'd break a branch/limb off, apply the gel and stick it in some water to get a genetically identical plant.

The seeds tho, I just soak them overnight for 8-10 hours, and then stick in some seed starting mix in seed trays. I find the paper towel method just too much of a hassle, but some people swear by it. Be sure not to plant too deeply if you go this rout though. They only need 1/4" of dirt or less in my opinion.

I've never applied gel or anything to any of my plant seeds. If you go by how I do it. Just keep the soil moist, not water logged, once they come up, let it stay moist for a bit, when they start forming new leaves.. start letting it dry out between each watering but don't kill them over by not watering them enough. It really isn't a science, and don't do like I did when first starting and over-think it... And as far as light goes, at first light doesn't matter. Once they come up, if you have a shop light.. drop it down to 1-2" above the plants. If you don't, just keep them in a windowsill if it isn't too cold there. If you're that far south though, I'd just raise them outdoors to avoid having to go through hardening off hassle.

Are you going to grow it in a container? In a garden? And where are ya from?

Thanks ab2008 for the reply.

Count on me for over thinking it.

I'll use the gel for other things.

Thanks for the tips. What do you use for "starting mix"? I have a couple kits that I picked up, on the cheap, last year on an OSH closing sale, they're made by Burpee.

I plan on potting this as I've done with my others. They only last a couple years, is that normal?

I live in Southern California, about 35 miles east of Pasadena.

Tony

Tony:

It still gets cool enough in the winter where you're at that it's probably best to start seeds indoors under lights around the beginning of January to February for the superhots and 2-4 weeks later for the annuums. Shoplights and a makeshift warming area are the most economical. 80-87F is ideal. A lot of growers invest in heat mats specifically made for germinating, but I've heard people use DVR's, water heaters, and the inside of their ovens with the light on.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin. So are you saying I pretty much missed the boat for this year as far as these seeds?

If so, I'll look into lights before the next go 'round.

Oh yeah, don't make the same mistake I did of starting sweet peppers and hot peppers all at once. This is why...

But yeah, ghost peppers are slow growers, and here in tennessee I started mine at the end of february, and could have gotten by with starting them back in january.. Where you live I'm not sure, and I'm not sure if it's too late to start them now.. I'd assume so. You could look into ordering some plants this late in the year though, and avoid having to get them started and such. If you are really wanting to start growing from seed, I'd suggest getting started next year. When I started germinating hot pepper seeds I bought 2 4ft t8 fluorescent shop lights with 6500k t8 bulbs, a 4 foot long seedling heat mat with thermostat set @ 83 degrees, as well as a fan. Some people are particular with how they give plants light, and fan and such. Myself, the lights at first ran 24 hours, and the fan runs 24 hours a day. I've been giving them a little less light lately to get them ready for the move outside, as well as I've started hardening my plants off this week. But like Kevin said.. you can germinate seeds in a lot of areas lol, just somewhere that stays a constant 80ish degrees. I avoid the oven technique, I'm afraid of that one hah.

Starting mix, I personally used some miracle gro potting soil (not the moisture control stuff, avoid it,) and mixed in some composted cow manure I picked up as well. If you plan on growing in containers, there are a lot of people that swear by the 5-1-1 mix, but it's just too much work for me, and my stuff is going in the ground.

The only advice that I know anyone else here will agree with me on, is just don't over water. Don't be too careful and underwater either. Check up on your plants often. When mine start to wilt just a little, I water from the bottom. I find that the easiest method to determine when to water. Like I mentioned before, some people will go to extents of measuring out how much and have it on a specific schedule etc, but when I have to keep 300+ plants watered, no way. lol

Hope it helps, and if you have any more questions ask away. The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask!

Tony: Actually no..It isn't too late. BUT... Here's the thing---

You MAY want to try a couple indoors for germinating and a few weeks under lights. Daytime temps aren't too bad for taking even tiny seedlings outside but we're not in Miami... our nighttime temps would lead to slow growth for a couple months. With superhots(from what I understand), they like a good 10-12 week babying stage -- warmer temps.

So, let's say you get them to their final growing place by Mid-june, that would be fine with our long season. The problem is.. In Aug- Oct(when flowering and budding would occur) that's when it really starts to heat up here in Socal. And pepper plants don't like TOO hot when they're flowering. So, production might be less than desirable. Then, when it started to cool back down and production started kicking back in, you might get some pods in December. BUT... Then it starts to really cool back down and although you might have a few pods, winter pods lose a lot of their heat. There was a huge difference between my summer pods and the ones I ate at xmas last year. They were still plenty hot, though.

Anyhow, long story long-- you might give it shot. just don't be TOO disappointed if things don't work out.

You might do what ab said--- order them online... there's been a few posts recently about Cross Country Nursery online. beautiful seedlings and not too badly priced at all.

Another option-- Armstrong's Nursery had what they called Ghost(but were actually Naga) last year. Plenty of heat in them and very tasty.

Good luck.

Kevin

a b2008, Thanks for the great advice. Wow, what a horrible thing to end up with. Kidd'n. Wish that were my problem. It's a beautiful site though, so many plants..

[mouth waters again, "I need a fix"]

What did you mean by "I water from the bottom"? Self-watering pots?

Kevin, Thanks again. I'll hold off since it sounds like I'll be pushing it. That way I can get lights and what-not by the next time around. I have plenty to play around with this season anyway. I just picked up a Thai Chili seedling from a farmers market and plan on a couple more variety's next week, maybe Scotch Bonnet and Black Cobra. I dealt with Carol Gardens, great people.

I always feel odd buying certain plants and this is one of them, it all comes down to $$ and pride. I'm a real cheapo and want the satisfaction of knowing that I did it from seed, call me weird.

gynot: Try adding up all the time, electricity, soil, ferts, etc.... that you put into a seedling to get it to the "Starter" stage. Likely, you spent as much or more than you would if you paid $3 for it at the local garden center. But I get the whole "Cheapo, growing from seed kind of attitude". I think that is why most of us grow from seed.
Bruce

... or better yet, why grow at all? Just run down to the market and buy what I need. 2lbs of Jalapeños for a buck. :o

I getcha Bruce and thanks for understanding.

Yep. If I could find pony packs of Superhots at Home Depot, I'd be all over it. Last year's Naga cost me $5 at Armstrong's.

You also have to be careful about buying nuclears from nurseries. I've tried it twice now for ghosts and been burned both times. They ended up being nagas, not bhuts.

Thanks for the tip Edymnion. I Iooked up the guy I dealt with the other day and according to Facebook and a couple other sources he very reputable. The great thing is that he shows up every week at our Friday farmers mkt, is all organic and less expensive than what I've seen elsewhere. He's also very knowledgable, but then compared to me, maybe that's not saying much.

BTW, what a "nuclears"? Slang for superhots?

I don't know.. lol if I figure 4 bucks a plant at my 150ish plants- that's over 500 bucks.

I came out ahead starting from seeds. lol. I'm not going to figure in "labor" costs, because it's fun to me. But next year, the seed mat I already have, the lights are already paid for. All I'll have in it is water, and soil by next year. Start up is a little pricey but after, it really comes out ahead to plant seeds (if you have the time and space to do it.)

Also, yeah - nuclear is just another way of describing "oh hell that burns."

Most things rated at over 1 million SHU(scoville heat units) are rated nuclear or super hots.