Were these grown nearby other varieties? Hybridization could result in non-viable seed, or if viable, possibly non-fertile (sterile) offspring. Or maybe the fruit weren't completely ripe (fully colored, not green) when seeds were harvested?

The fruit was absolutely ripe, even started to dry on the plant. But, yes, they were growing probably 5 feet away from 3 different kinds of sweet pepper, so hybridization is possible, I guess. I didn't know it can produce non-fertile offspring. I guess I will have to get back to buying seeds - it is not always possible for me to plant them far away from other peppers. And it is not the money that stop me from buying seeds - I just hate to throw away seeds after they expire) And with planting just 1-2 a year , I easily can have almost full packet of seeds by the time I have to throw them away. Thanks for your help!

<I just hate to throw away seeds after they expire>

There is no need to throw those away.

Seed packs don't have expiration dates on them. They have the year they were packed dates ie. "Packaged for 2013". That doesn't mean they are no good after that date. In fact most seeds are good for many years when properly stored (cool and dry) and this fact is often discussed here.

I have personally grown pepper plants from seeds that were 11 years past their packing date. So if your seeds aren't germinating the odds are that they were damaged from poor storage, not that they are "sterile".

Dave

As Davef1 mentioned, cross pollination could cause it, but highly dountful, imo.

Run by us how you saved the seeds... when I save bell peppers seeds, I pull ripe pods. Within a day or 2, I cut the flesh away, leaving the seeds attached to the placenta and stem. I then just let the seed mass dry out for a week or so on a plate. I then dislodge all the seeds on the plate and let them dry out for about another week. Put in envelopes, store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Other varieties, I may just scoop out the the placenta and seeds and do the same as above. Superhots, I'll just split in half and do the same as above.

Btw, contrary to popular belief, one doesn't have to wait for a pepper to FULLY turn color to harvest seeds. If a pod is STARTING to turn color, the pod is fully mature and seed development is finished. In other words, "mature" comes long before fully "ripe."

Kevin

Thanks everybody! I know about seed expiration date and usually just try couple of seeds about a month before actual seeding date for germination, but hot pepper doesn't store well for me more then 3 years , even if kept refrigerated - they may germinate, but seedling are not as strong as from fresh seeds. I usually do not take seeds out of the pods at all for hot pepper - they dry very well at room temp natural way and seeds always were fine for me, but this year. So I do suspect the particular type I bought and hybridization.