When to sow pepper for seedlings
Many people know that pepper is a universal storehouse of nutrients. It contains vitamins PP, E, B1, B2, folic acid and mineral salts. And in terms of vitamin C content, pepper among other vegetables is simply a champion!
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Experienced gardeners strive to grow large and juicy fruits of this plant, but in order to achieve a full harvest, you should know the peculiarities of growing this crop.
Special requirements for growing pepper
Pepper heat-loving plant and very demanding on growing conditions. It painfully tolerates drafts and strong winds. In bad weather, under the influence of gusty winds, the plant can even die. The optimum temperature for the comfortable growth of pepper during the day is + 20-24C (at night + 12-15C). At a low temperature, plant growth slows down, and at a higher temperature, the development of the root system begins to lag behind the development of the stem system.
Pepper loves abundant lighting. It must be grown on the sunniest "patch" of land. Lack of lighting leads to dropping of the ovaries, fragility of the stems and yellowing of the foliage. Even partial shade has an adverse and destructive effect on him. Peppers are very sensitive to moisture and require moderate watering.
Lack of moisture causes woody stems and leads to a decrease in yield. Waterlogging of the roots should not be allowed; this may cause the plant to die.
You need to take seriously feeding plants. It is enough to feed the pepper 3 times a week with mineral fertilizer. But it should be borne in mind that an excess of nitrogen causes a rapid growth of the vegetative system of the plant to the detriment of fruiting. During flowering and the appearance of ovaries, it is better to feed with ash infusion (2 glasses per bucket of water).
Planting pepper in open ground
There are several ways to plant peppers. Planting seeds is possible immediately into the ground... For planting, choose a site on the south side of the house with abundant sunlight and no drafts. Before planting, it is advisable to bubble the seeds so that the seeds germinate earlier than usual. To do this, the water is saturated with oxygen or air (using an aquarium compressor), the seeds are soaked in it and placed in a warm place. After the sprouts have hatched, the seeds can be sent into the ground.
Growing pepper in this way has several negative aspects. Firstly, if summer begins early, the harvest does not have time to ripen; secondly, throughout the entire period of pepper growth, weeds should be vigorously fought; thirdly, with this method, the pepper ripens 18-20 days later and the fruiting period is somewhat reduced.
Planting pepper in seedlings
When growing pepper seedling method you can get strong seedlings and a high-quality harvest. Seeds are sown for seedlings at different times, starting from February and continuing until mid-March. It depends on the characteristics of the climate of the area and the type of culture. In central Russia, it is better to do this in mid-February. In the southern regions, where summer begins much earlier, planting of seedlings can be carried out from early to mid-March.
To begin with, prepare the ground. It should be loose enough, lightweight, well-drained. To do this, mix ordinary soil with peat, vermicompost or fine sand.Cups are prepared in advance (disposable plastic can be used). If a pick is supposed to be taken, the cups are taken in a small size. If there is no pick, it is necessary to prepare another, more extensive container. Small holes are made in the bottom and side walls of the containers.
The container with seeds is placed in a large pallet, covered with glass and tightened with foil. The pallet is installed in a warm and sunny place. Care should be taken to ensure that the lighting is sufficient, and the earth does not dry out, otherwise the seeds may die. Already after 9-10 days, timid shoots appear.
When the seedlings are leveled, you can open a corner of the film, and after a few days, remove it completely. At this stage, you need to make the first fertilizing with mineral fertilizers (you can alternate Uniflor micro and Kemira-kombi). The next feeding should be carried out with an interval of 10 days. Watering of seedlings is carried out as needed. After about 16-18 days, the seedlings will be ready for picking.
It is very important to guess the time when it is better to plant seedlings in the ground. High-quality seedlings aged 52-55 days should have a stem 25-30 cm high, 7-12 full-fledged leaves and flower ovaries.
Plant seedlings in greenhouse or a greenhouse can be at the end of May, and in the ground - at the beginning of June. Planting is recommended to be done shallow and 2 pieces in one hole. This will save the plant from the fragility of the stems. Immediately after planting, the plants are well watered. You can add humus under the roots.
If you follow all the requirements for planting and caring for peppers, you can get an excellent harvest of healthy vegetables.