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Ancient chilli peppers
In article ,
Mungo \"Two Sheds\" Toadfoot wrote: I've been given some red chillies that were dried over 40 years ago; is there any chance the seeds will germinate if planted? Well, there is always a chance :-) I have no idea how long they keep, but it is probably worth a go. If there's an outside chance that they would germinate what would be the best conditions for them and how would I start them (a good soak first perhaps?). I have a nice warm airing cupboard if they want it, and a small, could-be-heated greenhouse. Depends on how many you have. If you have enough, try several methods. They aren't extreme tropical plants and so don't need airing cupboard temperatures, but they do like reasonable warmth to start. They need to be damp but not wet and with good drainage - much like tomatoes and so on. But that is all generalities - I usually can grow them, but am not an expert. Regards, Nick Maclaren, University of Cambridge Computing Service, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England. Email: Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679 |
#2
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Ancient chilli peppers
Si wrote in message I've been given some red chillies that were dried over 40 years ago; is there any chance the seeds will germinate if planted? Seeing as some seeds found in a Pharaoh's Tomb were germinated I don't see why not, give it a go but don't expect 100% or even 50% germination and it might take a bit longer than normal. Could even be a "lost" variety. If there's an outside chance that they would germinate what would be the best conditions for them and how would I start them (a good soak first perhaps?). I have a nice warm airing cupboard if they want it, and a small, could-be-heated greenhouse. Same as for normal chillies except I would expect staggered germination so perhaps instead ofplanting them as normal spread them on wet kitchen paper in a tub and place that in the airing cupboard. Check daily and when you see roots then transfer that seedling(?) to a tray of compost, might need tweezers. This should be kept as near 70°F as possible, gradually reducing the temp, but never going below 50°F. Need as much light as possible. Keep in a greenhouse as per Tomatoes or plant out early June in a sunny protected place. Good luck, keep us informed. -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
#3
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Ancient chilli peppers
In article ,
Sue & Bob Hobden wrote: Si wrote in message I've been given some red chillies that were dried over 40 years ago; is there any chance the seeds will germinate if planted? Seeing as some seeds found in a Pharaoh's Tomb were germinated ... I thought that was a suburban myth, but I could be wrong! Some seeds are definitely very long lived, and there is evidence of over a century, but I don't know of any reliable evidence of millennia. I have no idea whether chilli seeds are long-lived. Regards, Nick Maclaren, University of Cambridge Computing Service, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England. Email: Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679 |
#4
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Sue & Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... Si wrote in message I've been given some red chillies that were dried over 40 years ago; is there any chance the seeds will germinate if planted? Seeing as some seeds found in a Pharaoh's Tomb were germinated !!! I was excited to get my 40-year-olds! I don't see why not, give it a go but don't expect 100% or even 50% germination and it might take a bit longer than normal. Could even be a "lost" variety. Wouldn't that be good? All I know about them is that they were used for a Geest photo shoot. If there's an outside chance that they would germinate Same as for normal chillies except I would expect staggered germination so perhaps instead ofplanting them as normal spread them on wet kitchen paper in a tub and place that in the airing cupboard. Check daily and when you see roots then transfer that seedling(?) to a tray of compost, might need tweezers. This should be kept as near 70°F as possible, gradually reducing the temp, but never going below 50°F. Need as much light as possible. Keep in a greenhouse as per Tomatoes or plant out early June in a sunny protected place. Printed and filed for slightly warmer times, thank you. When would be a good time to start them off indoors? About mid-Feb? March? I'm in Ramsgate, Kent, and it's not often *really* cold outdoors. Good luck, keep us informed. Will do. Si |
#5
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , Mungo \"Two Sheds\" Toadfoot wrote: I've been given some red chillies that were dried over 40 years ago; is there any chance the seeds will germinate if planted? Well, there is always a chance :-) I have no idea how long they keep, but it is probably worth a go. I will! ) If there's an outside chance that they would germinate Depends on how many you have. Don't know......*toddles off*......about a hundred or so, I'd say. If anybody more knowledgable than me (that'll be everybody in here!) would like to try to grow them too I'll gladly send you some. Si |
#6
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Ancient chilli peppers
Si wrote in message . When would be a good time to start them off indoors? About mid-Feb? March? I'm in Ramsgate, Kent, and it's not often *really* cold outdoors. The problem is balancing the temperature with the available light. Even on the S. coast I would not put chillies out until the end of May at the earliest, and then only if the weather was warm and looked like staying so. So you don't want them getting too leggy by then, but you want them as big as possible, preferably about to flower. End of March sounds early enough and gives them 2 months to grow indoors before you plant them out. Pinch them out to make them bushy just like you would with your summer bedding plants. We find that once growing they respond well to feeding with Seaweed Extract every couple of weeks and as much sun as possible. Actually they make pretty plants with their little white flowers. -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
#7
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot" wrote in message ... "Sue & Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... Si wrote in message I've been given some red chillies that were dried over 40 years ago; is snip Printed and filed for slightly warmer times, thank you. When would be a good time to start them off indoors? About mid-Feb? March? I'm in Ramsgate, Kent, and it's not often *really* cold outdoors. Good luck, keep us informed. Will do. Si Dover for the continent, Ramsgate for the incontinent ? Don't wait another 40 years Mungo ! They'll all be GM by then. - Regards .......... Paul |
#8
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Nick wrote in message Seeing as some seeds found in a Pharaoh's Tomb were germinated ... I thought that was a suburban myth, but I could be wrong! May be Nick but take a look at... http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/msbp/msbfaq/msb_a12.html So it's well possible that these chilli seeds would be viable after "only" 40 years, depends on storage conditions etc. Oh, and Si, as with all things chilli please note that if you touch them with your fingers wash your hands before touching any part of yourself (or others) with delicate skin, eyes, lips, etc. The heat is mainly in the seeds. -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
#9
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Sue & Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... Oh, and Si, as with all things chilli please note that if you touch them with your fingers wash your hands before touching any part of yourself (or others) with delicate skin, eyes, lips, etc. The heat is mainly in the seeds. Oh yes! I was the proposer of uk.food+drink.indian, I know all about chilli burn!! ;o) Si |
#10
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Paul England" wrote in message ... Dover for the continent, Ramsgate for the incontinent ? Don't wait another 40 years Mungo ! They'll all be GM by then. - Heh! Ramsgate for the rude, the ignorant and the multi-carrier-bagged and flea-infested perhaps. I do wonder what kind of chilli they are - I really hope they grow. No-one's modifying my chillies! Si |
#11
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Sue & Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... Si wrote in message . When would be a good time to start them off indoors? About mid-Feb? March? I'm in Ramsgate, Kent, and it's not often *really* cold outdoors. The problem is balancing the temperature with the available light. Even on the S. coast I would not put chillies out until the end of May at the earliest, and then only if the weather was warm and looked like staying so. So you don't want them getting too leggy by then, but you want them as big as possible, preferably about to flower. End of March sounds early enough and gives them 2 months to grow indoors before you plant them out. Pinch them out to make them bushy just like you would with your summer bedding plants. We find that once growing they respond well to feeding with Seaweed Extract every couple of weeks and as much sun as possible. Actually they make pretty plants with their little white flowers. Lovely. Thanks again Bob. |
#12
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Ancient chilli peppers
In article ,
Sue & Bob Hobden wrote: "Nick wrote in message Seeing as some seeds found in a Pharaoh's Tomb were germinated ... I thought that was a suburban myth, but I could be wrong! May be Nick but take a look at... http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/msbp/msbfaq/msb_a12.html So it's well possible that these chilli seeds would be viable after "only" 40 years, depends on storage conditions etc. Oh, yes, indeed. That reference confirms my doubts, but certainly many seeds remain viable for decades even in the soil. Oh, and Si, as with all things chilli please note that if you touch them with your fingers wash your hands before touching any part of yourself (or others) with delicate skin, eyes, lips, etc. The heat is mainly in the seeds. It doesn't transfer all that much by touching dry seeds by dry hands, though people with greasy hands may have more trouble. It is worth remembering that it is oil-soluble and is NOT removed by washing with plain water. Regards, Nick Maclaren, University of Cambridge Computing Service, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England. Email: Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679 |
#14
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Ancient chilli peppers
"Victoria Clare" wrote in message .207... The important bit from Si's point of view is: "However, recent studies showed extended longevity of vegetable seeds once stored (15 to 30 years) in ambient temperatures at Cheyenne, Wyoming, and are now stored at the National Seed Storage Laboratory at -18oC (0F). For example, tomato seeds stored for 60 years germinated 82%, pea seeds stored for 51 years germinated 94%, and pepper seed stored for 51 years germinated 28%. These data suggest that the longevity of seed can be extended if proper storage conditions are utilized. " Awesome peas! That's incredible, isn't it? To think that's there's some sort of life process going on in there for that length of time - just waiting for a drop of rain. Amazing! Sounds like there is a chance of germination for the 40-year chillis, assuming low moisture and heat for the storage. I'd guess the moisture content must have been pretty low or they'd have disintegrated, but I guess if they were dried somewhere quite warm chances aren't so good. Well, the chillies themselves were extremely crispy and the seeds look in good condition, i.e. not disintegrating, so we shall see... Si |
#15
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Ancient chilli peppers
In February last year I sowed 10 chilli seeds from a pod that had been
stored for 5 years in a jar in full light on my south-facing kitchen windowsill. I had bought the chillis from Sainsbury's and dried them, I think they were from an African country; they still sell similar ones, red or green, about 8cm long. Of all the types of seed I sowed in trays last year (the rest were commercial annuals, herbs, and veges), they were the only ones that gave a 100% germination rate (some others got close, like cornflowers). The resulting chillis, while only about 4cm long, were extremely potent. The plants went outside in May, and the pods took until October to turn red. I thinned them down to about 5 pods per plant in the summer. I didn't do anything special when sowing them, just a tray of cheap general purpose compost from Homebase in the windowsill, it was an experiment which I found surprisingly successful. Daniel -- |
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