Started 2025 season by sowing c.praetermissum x c.capsicum F2s and it’s backcrosses (25% c.praetermissum/ 75% c.baccatum) on 18-19.3. I started a bit earlier than in the years past as both c.praetermissum and .cpraetermissum x c.baccutum F1 had had bad germination. However, it seems like that’s not a problem with this generation. At least there are enough of those that have germinated within normal timeframe (8days for the first). I did sow hundreds of seeds, but only will keep maybe a hundred at most so there will be some culling early on to eliminate that slow germination once and for all. Otherwise I’m not planning to do that much selection, but instead make cross pollination by hand between them and direct sown baccatums to increase genetic variability. Possibly some separation based on fruit size and preferential sowing from bigger fruits the next year and eliminating those that have reverted to fully c.praetermissum sized fruits (maybe more in F2s with 50% praetermissum). Have to see what I get. Backcrosses have so much variability that it’s completely open what they will produce. Then after this season they will get hard schooled, given that there isn’t too much work to be done with the fruit size.
Same morning I didn’t see anything, but afternoon they were already visible and the next day with cotyledons open. Now a day later there are dozens and it’s soon time to cull all that come after.
