SOWING THE SEEDS - MID FEBRUARY

SEEDS
Remembering that we are amateurs and growing for fun in an 8'x 6' greenhouse, we don't need to sow hundreds of seeds, so we should aim for approx 24 plants. Allowing for a 50% germination rate, 50 or so seeds will be sufficient and these can be divided between the chosen varieties. So, if we choose 8 different varieties, we can sow 6 seeds of each type, hoping that at least 3 of each will grow successfully.
POTS
2" pots are ideal for germinating purposes and fit in the propogator nicely. These should be clean and preferably sterilized in a Jeyes fluid solution before use.
COMPOST
Choose a good, fibrous compost. Those tightly compressed bags contain a compost that turns to mud when wetted, then hardens to a concrete like consistency. It could be used though, if it is mixed well with vermiculite to improve drainage and body. Seeds will not germinate in very wet compost.
THE PROPOGATOR
The best propogators are the electrically heated, thermostatically controlled ones, but these are expensive. They are definitely worth while, but any clever DIYers could knock up something cheaper and functional.
SOWING
Fill the pots with compost to within 3/4 inch of the top of the pot and water well. Then leave to drain for 10 minutes or so.
Place 6 seeds of the chosen chilli type onto the compost surface of a pot and then cover with another 1/2 inch. Write the chilli name on a label and insert this at the edge of the pot. Repeat for the other varieties and place them in the propogator. Gently wet the surface of each pot and put the propogator cover on. Don't forget turn on the power and set the temperature to 30°C,86°F. Chilli seeds do need this high temperature for successful germination.
NOTE: At this stage, we don't need the main greenhouse heater on.
The first seedlings should start to appear after approx 10 days.