Propagators

MissShihTzu

Hi

Never done this before, but this year decided to plant a few chilli seeds as I couldn't get the plants.

I bought a couple of unheated propagators and set them up on the kitchen windowsill which gets a lot of sun. They seem to collect a LOT of condensation, which I have to wipe away every day and have the vents fully open. I keep the plants moist all the time as well.

The seeds haven't germinated yet. So just wondered if I'm on the right track or if there's anything else I need to do?

TIA for any help/advice

looksee

They take a couple of weeks to germinate, and while heat is usually suggested I have just been given a little pepper plant that was grown from a fresh pepper seed without heat, so they are not all that fussy. What you are doing seems to be fine, just patience.

I generally give the propagator lid a little tap so the water falls back on the compost, though this isn't totally reliable. I have noticed that the propagators I got this year (I've had to start again after moving house) are not nearly as efficient as older ones I have had - the condensation seems to be steered out of the lid and all over the window ledge. The old plastic bag held up with a couple of sticks did a much better job!

MissShihTzu

Thank you very much for the encouragement. I've only been going for a week with these, so happy to hear it seems to be OK so far.

Before I got the propagators, I also planted some in little pots which are also on the windowsill, so hopefully they too will germinate but appreciate they may be a little slower.

Thanks again.