On 4/12/2015 11:21 PM, Michael Evangelista wrote:
I started anaheim, jalapeno, wax peppers and a few types of red bells. The anaheim were slow and had a lower germination rate.

For peppers I think a heat source of some kind is a must. This year I got a very basic gardening heat pad and it made all the difference. I put my own 6pack containers inside the cheap trays with clear plastic lids, watered the seeds in good and kept them on the heat mat until I saw the first sprouts. Then I moved them immediately under flourescent grow lights (one warm one cool regular T3 bulb) about 1 inch above the plants, taking the cover off. Then once the first set of full true leaves are in, start moving them outside every day and eventually into the greenhouse.

I've tried a lot of different ways to start pepper seeds and this is the way I will do it from now on. Too bad there's only one spring every year.

I used the same setup for years Michael, worked great all that time. The
shop light I used was on chains so I could raise the light fixture as
the seedlings grew. The rig was in my office and the ceiling fan made
the plants move just enough to build good stalks. Grew sweet chiles, hot
chiles, tomatoes, squash, pretty much everything that went into the
garden that needed to be started. Good luck with your garden.

We had rain off and on from yesterday and it will probably last through
mid-afternoon here or longer. Our garden seems to be jumping up out of
the ground. I do like the rain and the nitrogen it brings out of the air
to our garden. The zucchini plants were starts and have quadrupled in
size with all the rain. Many blooms and even baby zukes showing. All the
sweet chiles, eggplant, and tomatoes are blooming or budding and the
pole beans are climbing. It's a good day in the neighborhood.