Hybrids are often unstable in the second and third generation. Yield may be extremely low or the fruit may be inferior to either parent. You’re better off sticking with heirlooms because then you know exactly what you’ll get from every seed.
Once you’ve chosen your seeds, it may be best to start them in individual peat containers. Place a few seeds on top of each little peat disk, add water, and then push the seeds down about 1/4-1/2 inch. If you really want to make sure that your seeds are going to sprout, put them between two damp paper towels and wait for them to sprout before carefully planting them.
You can use just about any type of planter because the seeds don’t need to be deep to take root. Containers that are too small can lead to root-bound plans as well as ones with stunted growth. Today, most gardeners prefer 1.5 inch peat pots or pellets with one seed sown per pot or pellet.
Germination can take anywhere from 7 days to 6 weeks depending upon the variety so be aware of that when you plant them, especially if you’re considering putting them on your veranda for part of the day.
Peppers like warm weather. Also, seeds germinate best between 65 and 85 degrees F. Keep them watered adequately without drowning them and your peppers will thrive with very little maintenance. On the other side of the equation, advancing from seedling to second leaves can be a difficult process.
After your seeds have sprouted and your seedlings are a few inches tall, it’s time to transplant them into bigger containers.
Transplanting Your Plants
Because peppers are a medium-sized plant, it’s a good idea to leave some space between them when you plant them. We recommend leaving at least 12 inches between each pepper plant in your raised garden or planter.
If you’re planting in a round planter with a diameter of 1.5 feet or more, you can probably squeeze in 3-4 plants. They also like to have at least 6 hours of direct sunlight so put them near a window or get them a grow light.
Don’t transplant them into a bigger pot until the seedlings are at least a few inches tall with several branches of healthy leaves. That way you know that you’re transplanting plants that are going to have a decent chance of survival.