Step-by-step instructions for growing pepper seedlings at home for beginner vegetable growers
Most summer residents prefer to grow peppers using seedlings. Seedlings are a guarantee of a rich and tasty harvest; they help seeds quickly adapt to external conditions and develop immunity to diseases and pests. Seedlings are planted according to certain rules; it is important to select suitable containers and soil, and observe sowing dates.
Let's take a closer look at what growing pepper seedlings is like and what preparation secrets a novice vegetable grower needs to know.
What you need to grow pepper seedlings
To grow pepper seedlings, you need a suitable place, high-quality soil and containers. What do you need to know first?
Appropriate place
Pepper is demanding of light, so place the seedlings in the sunniest place in the house. As a rule, this is a window sill or a table with phytolamps. The optimal air temperature for growing is about 25°C. In the future, it is recommended to reduce it to 18-20°C.
It is advised to keep seedlings away from drafts and air conditioning, otherwise this will negatively affect the development of seedlings. If there are small children or pets in the house, then the seedlings are placed so that they cannot reach them.
Container and soil
Pepper is sensitive to picking, so it is better to plant seedlings in one large container. Any clean container will do: flower pot, wooden box, plastic cassette with a tray. You can purchase a container at any gardening or hardware store. It is thoroughly disinfected before use. Bleach and Bordeaux mixture are recognized as excellent remedies. The container is placed in the solution for 30 minutes, after which it is washed and dried.
Ready-made compounds or soil from the garden are used as soil. The best purchased option is the “Universal” or “Strong” soil. The compositions contain the required level of acidity, are equipped with a large number of minerals, and are disinfected from infections. However, some gardeners prefer to water the prepared soil with a solution of potassium permanganate to carry out additional disinfection.
When preparing the soil yourself, use soil from the garden, peat, humus, sawdust and ash. All components are mixed in a ratio of 4:1:1:1. The mixture is then sifted and steamed for an hour in a steamer to avoid weeds and disease in the future. Vermiculite is often added to the soil. This substance retains moisture in the soil and makes it looser, which has a beneficial effect on the quality of the crop.
Materials and tools
In addition to the containers, gardeners prepare pipettes in advance from which they will water the sprouts. The pipette is easy to use, since the moisture gets directly under the root, bypassing the stems and leaves. You also need tweezers - they can be used to easily place small seeds into the soil.
At first, the seedlings are covered with a plastic bag or film to prevent moisture from evaporating. The fertilizers are mixed in small bowls using a regular spoon or pencil.
Timing for planting seeds for seedlings
To grow a good harvest, sowing dates are respected. Most varieties ripen within 100-150 days from planting.Seedlings for them are prepared in late February - early March.
Specific sowing dates depend on the variety and growing region. In the Urals and Siberia, seedlings are prepared on February 10-15, in the south of Russia - on March 5-10.
Planting according to the lunar calendar
The lunar calendar helps gardeners calculate the most favorable days for purchasing and planting seeds. In 2019, astrologers advise planting plants during periods when the Moon is in its first phase and falls on the days of Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio, Libra and Aries.
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How to plant pepper seedlings correctly
In addition to containers and soil, special attention is paid to the preparation of seeds. Let's take a closer look at how they are disinfected and planted.
Seed preparation
Experienced summer residents advise purchasing seed only in trusted places. When purchasing, carefully study the information on the label and pay attention to the integrity of the packaging. High-quality and heavy seeds are selected for seedlings. To do this, pour seeds into a jar of water and stir the liquid clockwise. Those specimens that sank to the bottom are selected for planting.
A mandatory stage of seed preparation is disinfection. The following methods help to disinfect seeds:
- heating in the oven for two hours;
- soaking in a solution of potassium permanganate or succinic acid for 24 hours;
- disinfection of seeds with hydrogen peroxide.
Next, the seeds are germinated: placed in a damp cloth and put in a warm place for 10 days. Growth stimulants help peppers germinate faster by saturating the vegetable with the necessary vitamins for development.
Planting diagram and step-by-step instructions
How to plant seeds? They are planted according to the standard pattern. The distance between the holes should be at least 10 cm, and the distance between the rows should be about 10-15 cm. If compact flower pots are used for planting, then one seedling is grown in one container.
Step-by-step planting instructions:
- using a simple pencil, make holes;
- 1-2 seeds are placed in each with tweezers;
- sprinkle earth on top and lightly clap with your palm;
- water with warm, settled water;
- cover with film and put in a sunny place.
Important! If several varieties are grown at once, then each is marked with the name of the pepper and planting dates. This simple rule helps not to get confused in plants and to plant vegetables in the garden on time.
How to grow pepper seedlings
Caring for peppers involves timely watering, fertilizing, and maintaining heat and light conditions. The germination of pepper and its taste depend on these procedures.
Rules of care
Peppers need regular watering. Moisten the seedlings once every five days, but it is important not to over-moisten the soil. For watering use a pipette. Before moistening, it is advised to carefully loosen the soil at the base so that the water lingers longer in the soil and flows to the roots.
The water temperature for irrigation is about 18°C. It is better not to use cold tap water. In a small container, water evaporates faster, so the condition of the soil is checked daily. Favorable air humidity is about 70%.
Important! Peppers must be provided with additional lighting. If you don’t have a special phytolamp at hand, then use a fluorescent one. A sign that the sprouts do not have enough light are thin and long stems and pale leaves.
Some gardeners do without fertilizing, but most still prefer to fertilize seedlings with mineral complexes and organic matter. The procedure is carried out once every two weeks. Fertilizing improves the taste of fruits and protects them from diseases and pests.
The following drugs have a beneficial effect on pepper:
- sodium nitrate;
- wood ash;
- liquid bird droppings;
- mineral complex “Bogatyr” or “Zdraven”;
- growth stimulator "Heteroauxin";
- means "Kimira".
Picking seedlings
Picking is necessary if the seeds initially grew in small containers. Over time, the root system needs more space to develop, so the seedlings are transplanted into larger containers.
As a rule, peppers are picked 15-20 days after germination. Five days before the procedure, watering is stopped.
How to make a pick:
- Pour more soil into a container and water with warm water. Make a hole 4-5 cm deep.
- Using a spatula, dig up the sprout and place it in a new container.
- Plant seedlings up to the cotyledon leaves, using your fingers to gently press the soil to the roots.
- Pour water at room temperature over the pepper.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Even if all agrotechnical rules are followed, pepper seedlings can develop slowly. There may be several reasons for this:
- Diseases. Due to cold water or waterlogging, the plant develops a fungal infection or bacterial spot. The most common diseases are root rot, blackleg, late blight, and fusarium. Gardeners advise carrying out preventive measures: watering the soil with Bordeaux mixture, fertilizing with ash and nettle infusion.
- Lack of light. Even if there is enough solar heat in the room, it is still better to organize additional lighting using phytolamps or fluorescent devices.
- Excess of nitrogen-containing fertilizers. This is signaled by yellow and dry leaves and weak stems. The problem is solved by adding wood ash and thorough watering.
- Increased acidity of the earth. We are talking about both purchased soil and self-prepared soil. River sand helps reduce soil acidity.
Advice from experienced gardeners
In the north of the country, it is recommended to plant seedlings in advance so that the seedlings have time to gain growth. Before planting, thoroughly disinfect containers, seeds and soil. The most popular remedy is a solution of potassium permanganate. The powder is sold in every pharmacy at a low price.
Farmers are also advised to follow the following recommendations:
- check seeds for germination;
- do not plant peppers too close to each other;
- if possible, plant the vegetable immediately in a larger container to avoid picking;
- prepare labeling;
- water with warm water at room temperature;
- avoid getting water on the stems and leaves;
- feed seedlings in a timely manner;
- monitor the level of moisture in the soil.
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High-yielding and early-ripening variety of pepper “Morozko” for greenhouses.
The best varieties of purple peppers and their characteristics.
The benefits and harms of green bell peppers for the health of women, men and children.
Conclusion
Sweet peppers are grown in open ground, polycarbonate greenhouses or greenhouses. To obtain a rich harvest, seedlings are prepared. Planting occurs at the end of February - beginning of March. They buy seeds from trusted places and disinfect them.As soon as the seeds are in the ground, they are sprinkled with soil on top and moistened. The next watering will be organized only in a week.
Pepper loves light and warmth, so it is better to place the container with seedlings on the windowsill. Every two weeks, peppers are fed with organic fertilizers or mineral fertilizers. Bird droppings, ammonium nitrate, urea and nitrogen-containing fertilizers improve the quality of fruits.