2026-01-08 First Batch Peppers
Short Video on YouTube with our setup
2026-01-08 - Into a seed propagator next to the radiator with heat matt.
First batch was planted using a seed sowing compost from Westland into our 5x8 seed tray propagators, which fit perfectly onto a re-purposed growbag tray.
Heat matt is set to 24°C/75°f, with a light mist applied to the top, and main water left in the tank below.
Seeds are planted at a depth of about 0.5 cm around the edges and labelled.
A few days later we planted some additional seeds that had come a bit later into the middle leaving a space for the thermometer.
2026-01-18 - Seeds pretty much there
Majority of seeds have germinated and have the first small leaves (cotyledons), so in the next day or two they will be moved to a slightly different location and given some light.
Cotyledons (Seed Leaves)
These are not true leaves that the plant will use in future, but give the plant its first food from photosynthesis. Pretty much all seedlings look the same, although plants differ in that they have either one or two of these initial leaves.
Don't worry if they fall off in future!
We will be leaving these seedlings in the tray until the plants have at least their first set of proper leaves.
2026-01-20 - Onto a slightly cooler matt with lighting
The seedlings are approaching the top of the dome, so they've been moved to our second tray, where the temperature is set to 21°C/70°f with supplemental lighting each day (about 12-16 hours).
In preparation for future growth, a set of old computer fans have been setup and a slow airflow will be pushed over the plants a couple of hours a day to stimulate strength in the stem.
Edit: To save space, we moved these back to the original but turned down the heat level slightly.
2026-02-03 Almost ready for transplant
As we enter February, the majority of the seedlings have "true leaves", and we are having to water underneath almost every other day, at this rate in around a week or so we will be transplanting to small pots.
The tomatoes will probably be the first to get transplanted, they've raced up and are a little leggy, but that is not an issue, we will just bury the stems deeper.
A light breeze for an hour a day from some repurposed old computer fans should help strengthen the main stems.
2026-02-07 Adding some light
At this point, we've left the seedlings in the propagator tray, but added some extra light, and are about to start potting up the plants to individual pots.
At this point, we had decided to use 6cm brown pots, but as it turns out, this is probably a step I would skip next time, and instead go straight into 10cm square ones, the reason two fold.
- I bought a 60cm hydroponics tray, so can fit up to 60 plants in it and continue bottom watering
- The requirement to pot up again was met within a few weeks as the roots were poking through the bottom.
2026-02-12 Starting to "pot up"
As I said above, I will be going bigger with the pots next time, but this was the start of the process.
I've got an article on handling the leggy tomato plant at the front in writing.
2026-02-14 Finished potting up
I did this over a couple of days as there was no rush with some seedlings.
The fan was set to go a couple of hours per day to help give the seedlings a bit of strength by stimulating natural wind. At this point we also had the 600W and 60W equivalent bulbs going, which started to make a huge difference.
2026-02-19 Re-potting up!
2026-03-01 Last pots before final transplant
I didn't get any good photos for a couple of weeks.
The difference in the plants that were transplanted early and late can clearly be shown here, they are bigger and healthier.
I think it is the combination of more root room and a lower potting soil to compost mix that has helped the most.
2026-03-06 Showing better Progress
The tomatoes are in 20cm pots waiting to go into the ground or fabric growbags for the year, and will be moved to a shadier area as the are slightly early.
A number of the "Hot Pot" pepper plants have also been popped into these style containers as it will be their final home, dwarf peppers will be fine in this size pot.
The rest of the pepper plants have large pots ready, but will remain in the 10cm containers until nearer the time, as I'll probably need to buy around 500 litres or more of soil.
