Hot Pepper Seed Germination

[Mo Gardener]

I have used Salt Peter to help in the germination process of hot pepper seeds in the past with great success, but I have no idea where to get it or if it is even practical any longer. Any ideas on germination help with rare hot peppers.

I'm partial to the pre-sprouting of seed in wet paper towel and plastic bags, it gives me a "warm fuzzy" knowing the seed has started to germinate. I have been doing this since 2003, with the use of Salt Peter, and it has worked wonders.

I have also used Kelp extract, could the kelp be the major helper, or is it the potassium nitrate (Salt peter)?

[Chris]

I've never had problems getting such seeds to germinate. I've had problems getting them to fruit up here in the north, but not germinate. How doyou store them?