What you shouldn’t plant hot pepper next to: crop rotation rules and growing secrets
Red hot pepper (chili, bitter) is a vegetable crop, the cultivation of which is becoming increasingly popular. It is also often used as a decorative decoration.
There are about 500 species of hot peppers. The fruits have different shapes - from spherical to elongated, and a variety of colors - from orange to black-olive.
Features of crop rotation when growing hot peppers
By following the principles of proper rotation of different crops on the site, they grow a plentiful and healthy harvest that does not deplete the land.
Beans, peas and beans are what you can plant hot peppers next to. Legumes have a specific smell that many insect pests cannot tolerate, and they also feed the soil with the nitrogen necessary for growth.
Important! It is not recommended to plant hot and sweet peppers together. Cross pollination will degrade the taste of both.
The development of plants of the nightshade family requires a lot of useful substances, due to which the soil is depleted. Therefore, after the peppers and before them, unpretentious crops are planted, capable of enriching the soil with useful substances.
What can and cannot be planted after hot peppers
The following crops take root well in the land where peppers previously grew. They are also successful predecessors to other crops of the nightshade family:
- melons;
- legumes;
- onion;
- zucchini;
- green manure (plants that restore the soil);
- cauliflower;
- cereals.
Planting some crops negatively affects the quality of the land both before and after planting peppers:
How do hot peppers grow?
Planting of bitter pepper begins in February-March in the northern regions and in January-February in the southern regions. To prepare the soil mixture, it is necessary to mix humus, high peat and river sand in equal quantities.
Before planting, the seeds must be properly prepared: they are placed in a weak solution of manganese for 30 minutes, then wrapped in a damp cloth. Planting material should be kept in a warm place until germination. Next, the seedlings are grown in boxes or peat pots, pre-filled with treated soil mixture.
Seeds are planted to a depth of 5-10 mm with a distance of at least 5 cm. Before germination, the containers are covered with film and placed in a warm place. After about 7-14 days, the seedlings are placed in a well-lit place. The main thing is to keep the substrate moist, avoiding waterlogging.
Reference! Hot pepper seedlings are difficult to tolerate picking. Damage to the root system greatly slows growth.
The best moment for picking is the appearance of 2-3 true leaves.
When growing peppers, you should remember that this is a short-day crop; the duration of illumination is sufficient from 10 to 12 hours.
Next, let's look at how to grow red peppers. Before planting in open ground, while the chili pepper is growing indoors, it is fed twice: two weeks after picking and 2 weeks after the first feeding. To do this, use solutions such as “Krepysh”, “Fertika Lux”, “Solution”, etc.
After picking, the seedlings are placed in larger pots with a good layer of drainage. It is advisable to place the containers on the south side of the house so that the plants have enough light.
Important! When the stem reaches 20 cm, pinching is carried out to improve branching.
Caring for chili peppers before planting involves regular watering and fertilizing. Watering is carried out with settled water at room temperature in a tray under the pot. As soon as there is no more water in the pan, watering is done again. While the hot pepper is growing, it is fed with complex mineral fertilizer for indoor geraniums. The young vegetable does not like drafts, so you need to carefully ventilate the rooms where the seedlings are located.
How to grow it
Vegetable crops are planted both in open ground and in greenhouses. Let's consider both options.
Growing hot peppers in open ground
Planting in open ground occurs at the stage of formation of the first buds.
note! This crop is thermophilic - the air temperature should be at least 15°C.
14 days before planting, the seedlings are hardened off - the plants are taken outside or onto the balcony. Hardening begins from 20 minutes and is gradually increased to 1 day.
Holes are made in the soil at a distance of 30-40 cm, row spacing is at least 55 cm. It is quite possible to place two seedlings in one hole. Place 1 tbsp in each well. l. mineral fertilizer and mixed with soil.
The seedling, removed from the container, is carefully planted in the ground. The hole is half filled with soil and watered abundantly. After the water is absorbed, it is filled to the top with soil. Then the bed is mulched with peat. If the air temperature drops to 14°C or more, cover the plants.
Note! It is best to plant seedlings on a cloudy day or in the late afternoon.
When the plants reach a height of 30 cm, the top is pinched, which leads to the appearance of side shoots. They also produce ovaries.
Pepper does not tolerate dry soil. Watering is necessary daily, and on hot days - twice a day. Do not water with cold water. To heat the water, the bucket is placed in the sun.
If at the beginning of formation there is a need to fertilize with phosphorus and magnesium, then before maturation it is advisable to reduce the fertilizing.
In open ground, all crops are susceptible to various diseases and pests. Among the pests, the nightshade family is afraid of mole crickets, spider mites and Colorado potato beetles. And among the diseases - tobacco mosaic, late blight, white, brown and black spot. Therefore, there is a need to carry out prevention, even if the culture is completely healthy.
For pests they are treated with insecticidal preparations, for example “Agravertin”, “Kleschevit” and others. As for fungal diseases, fungicidal agents are used here, for example, Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate.
On a note! Pesticides are not the best option for plants. Experienced gardeners advise using folk remedies.
Chili pepper harvesting begins in July and continues until October. The bright color of the pod indicates that it is time to collect. At this time, the leaves turn yellow and dry out. There is no need to pick hot peppers from the bush - this will damage the plant trunk. It is better to cut it off along with the stalk. The pods can also be collected when they are not ripe. These peppers have less heat and are great for canning.
Growing hot chilies in a greenhouse
When growing crops in a greenhouse, it is easier to control not only the temperature, but also the level of air humidity.
Seedlings are planted in a greenhouse when they reach 10-15 cm, and only when the temperature at night is not lower than 12-13°C.
A daytime temperature of 16-18°C is considered optimal for the growth and development of peppers. In the greenhouse, the soil is also watered with warm water. After this, the earth is loosened and weeds are removed. From the moment the fruits form, fertilizing is introduced once a week (liquid fertilizers intended for tomatoes are quite suitable). Tall plants need staking.
When the first fruits appear, weekly feeding is provided, as in open ground.
The pods finally ripen by autumn, but experienced gardeners advise not to wait for them to fully ripen, but to pick the peppers in a semi-ripe state. This frees up space for green fruits to ripen. They acquire a bitter taste when fully ripe.
Read also:
In what and how to store zucchini for a long time - we create ideal conditions.
An exotic vegetable with an unusual taste and name - Pink Banana pumpkin.
How to grow on a windowsill
On the windowsill, such plants look very bright and are an excellent decorative element.
The photo shows a chili pepper plant.
For successful growth and development of the plant, it is necessary to create optimal conditions. A vegetable from tropical America is a perennial, and with proper care and regular feeding it can bear fruit for 5-7 years.
When breeding indoors, the following factors are taken into account:
- lighting;
- selection of the right containers;
- features of watering and fertilizing.
Some varieties are most popular for growing at home:
- Ogonyok - a variety developed by crossing chili and cayenne pepper. The height of the bush is 40 cm, the fruits reach no more than 5 cm. As they ripen, they change color, like a traffic light: green, yellow, red. Ripening occurs within 120 days.
- Aladdin — the variety is considered ultra-early. It can grow up to 40 cm, multi-colored peppercorns, no more than 3 cm. As they grow, their colors change: green, purple, red. Ripens within 105 days.
- Garda Firewax - one of the new varieties. The bushes are 30 cm high. The length of the pods is 5 cm. The peculiarity of this variety is that its peppercorns grow with their tips up and, like previous varieties, change their colors. At the same time there are green, lilac, orange and red. Ripens in 110 days.
Also suitable for indoor breeding are such species as Queen of Spades, Black Prince, Fat Man, Medusa, Phoenix. You can select several varieties at the same time. But the most popular varieties for growing at home remain Ogonyok and Chili.
You can sow sweet black peas next to them. Their growth conditions are the same. Any indoor flowers will take root next to the nightshade family.
The photo shows how hot peppercorns grow.
Reference! You should not use seeds from store-bought peppers for growing. These are industrial varieties and require different growing conditions.
Sowing seeds at home can be started at any time of the year. If you plant peppers in December, the fruits will be ripe in July. A window sill located in the southern or southeastern part of the room is best suited. In summer, it is recommended to take plants out onto the balcony, but protect them from drafts.
Use of hot pepper
Hot pepper is used in cooking in many countries. But it is most used in South American cuisine. Pepper improves the taste of fish and meat dishes, side dishes and soups. It is salted, fermented, stewed, pickled. When crushed, it is used as a seasoning. It goes well with many spices. The seed and veins are the sharpest part. If spiciness is not required when preparing a dish, they are removed.
This vegetable is also good when frozen. To do this, place the pods in boiling water for 3 minutes, drain in a colander, cool and freeze.
Conservation
Many housewives preserve vegetables in sunflower oil. This is done in this way: washed peppercorns, previously freed from seeds, are placed in a sterile jar. The jars are filled with lightly salted sunflower oil and sealed with sterile lids. They are stored in a dry, dark place for 2-3 months. Hot peppers can also be pickled. Add your favorite spices to taste - cherry leaves, basil, garlic, etc.
In folk medicine
Hot pepper is an excellent antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects. Causes appetite, helps digest heavy foods. Helps speed up blood circulation and prevent blood clots, and is a good helper in lowering blood pressure.
Can stimulate the production of endorphins in the human body. Relieves severe cough and even sore throat. It has also been noted to have a general strengthening effect on the immune system due to its high content of vitamins and macroelements.
Reference! Pepper contains vitamins A and C. It is also a source of B vitamins, in particular B6.
A sticky pepper patch works well as a local irritant.If there is insufficient blood circulation in the lower extremities, hot foot baths with pepper solution are taken. This vegetable will also be useful for those who suffer from insomnia.
In cosmetology
Hot pepper is widely used in cosmetology. It is included in masks, balms, shampoos, and anti-cellulite preparations. In toothpastes it helps get rid of bleeding gums. In hair strengthening products, pepper promotes blood flow to the hair follicles, reduces their oiliness, and also has a positive effect on colored hair.
Ointments and creams based on hot pepper are contraindicated for dermatitis and skin wounds.
Important! Avoid contact with mucous membranes and eyes. If this cannot be avoided, thoroughly rinse the affected area with running water.
Conclusion
Chili peppers occupy a strong position both in small gardens and in large farm fields. Due to its beautiful appearance, it is even grown on windowsills.
This plant is popular not only in cooking. It is used in folk medicine and cosmetology. Even a novice gardener can grow it.