HelpfulGardener.com

Hi,

I'm currently trying to germinate and grow both Moruga Scorpion peppers, as well as some 7 Pot and Yellow Fatali as well. I'm having trouble doing so because It's not nearly hot enough (80-95 degrees) to do so and I wanted to start them early and grow them pretty tall before transplanting them into some large pots in a few months when it will be warm enough. I live in the Northeast.

Now, after doing some research it seems that one of the more popular brands is Hydrofarm which seems to make some reputable products. I landed on the Hot House Plus because of it's ability to germinate and grow seedlings up almost a foot tall.

I just wanted to get some thoughts from people who may have used it or know anything more about this product. Has anyone used it to grow hot peppers before?

I would of course also buy a thermostat to control the temperature and lower it once the seedlings have emerged so as not to burn and kill them.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

No, no, no.... way over priced and a seedling killer. All you need for good germination and growth is the heat mat that is under it. You can buy the heat mats separately or you can just use the pharmacy heating pads (as long as you can find one without an automatic timed cut-off).

Plant your seeds in plastic, seed starting cells, flats, pots, drink cups with drainage holes or whatever, in good potting soil with fertilizer. Put the cells/flats whatever in a tray and just put water in the tray (starting with moistened potting soil). Put the tray on top of the heat mat - warm soil is a necessity for peppers.

You don't need a humidity dome and they are only for germination anyway. Despite the picture, growing seedlings under them usually results in fungal disease from the excess humidity and lack of air circulation.

Read the Seed Starting Basics sticky thread at the top of this section.