Pepper is characterized by a long growing season, so it is grown exclusively by the seedling method. This culture is particularly popular among summer residents and gardeners, but not everyone knows how to sow seeds correctly. The procedure itself has certain nuances that both experienced gardeners and beginners will find useful. So, let’s consider how to properly plant pepper for seedlings.
When to plant peppers for seedlings
Peppers begin to give the first harvest only 150 days after planting. Ready seedlings are transplanted to prepared beds 75 days after emergence. These factors should be taken into account when choosing the timing of sowing seeds. It must be remembered that they also depend on the climatic features of the region. Seedlings are planted in a permanent place only when the threat of the return of night frosts has completely passed.
Correct planting of pepper on seedlings is the key to a bountiful harvest. In the warm southern climate, work begins at the end of January or at the very beginning of February. In the conditions of the middle zone, the preparation of pepper for planting seedlings is postponed until the end of February or even the beginning of March. Experienced summer residents determine the exact date using a monthly sowing calendar.
How to prepare seeds for planting
Peppers, sowing and growing seedlings of which symbolize the beginning of a new garden season, must be grown with love and care. Only in this case will the case be crowned with success. First, the seeds are sorted, darkened, damaged, empty and those with other defective signs are removed. Even if they would give sprouts, it is impossible to grow full-fledged strong plants from such grains.
Some gardeners also practice the following method of discarding low-quality seeds. Soak the seed in a 4% solution of common salt, mix thoroughly and leave for 7-10 minutes. Those grains that end up on the surface are thrown away, and the heavy ones that have settled to the bottom are washed with clean water and dried.
Preparation of pepper for sowing on seedlings begins in a few weeks. In stores, seeds are often stored in violation of the recommended temperature regime. So that the seedlings appear faster and the plants are healthy, summer residents first warm them up before sowing. To do this, a couple of weeks before planting, the seed material is laid out on thick cardboard and placed near the battery.
Many seed producers are not honest and are able to supply the market with material infected with bacteria or fungal diseases. It can also contain pest eggs. In this regard, it is necessary to carry out preliminary etching. The seeds are treated with a fungicide or soaked in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. Then – wash with running water and dry. Most often, such preparations are used for etching as:
- Fitosporin;
- Maxim;
- Chlorhexidine;
- Phytolavin;
- Hydrogen peroxide.
It is necessary to take any substance from this list, dilute it with water according to the instructions and pour the seeds there. You can wrap them in a cloth napkin and wet them with a diluted drug.
Soaking seeds in a growth stimulator (Epin – 1-2 drops per 100 ml of water, Zircon – 1 drop per 300 ml of water) for 5-9 hours has proven itself well. After that, the seeds should be allowed to dry and sown in the prepared soil. This makes it possible not only to make the dense outer shell softer, but also to stimulate the sprout.
The process of planting seeds
When the preparation of pepper seeds for sowing on seedlings is completed, the procedure itself is started directly.
Soil preparation
It is necessary to select nutritious and loose soil in advance. You can buy a universal soil mixture in a garden store or prepare it yourself. To do this, you will need to mix the following components in a 2:1:2 ratio:
- humus;
- river sand;
- peat.
Self-prepared soil must be disinfected and disinfected. For this purpose, it is placed in an oven heated to 180-200 oC for 30 minutes, and then poured with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Choosing a suitable container
Pepper seedlings are sown at home in a ready-made container, which may well serve as:
- plastic container;
- box;
- wooden box.
In the process of growth, seedlings are dived into plastic or peat cups. Some gardeners immediately prefer to sow peppers in a separate container so as not to traumatize them once again with transplants. However, at the same time, the material costs for the purchase of additional containers are increasing.
Seed sowing procedure
The correct sowing of pepper for seedlings consists in performing the following operations.
- The prepared soil mixture should be poured into the general box and moistened.
- Make grooves 1.5 cm deep and spread the seed in them at a distance of 2 cm from each other.
- Sprinkle the crops with earth, water well and cover with glass or cellophane.
- Put the peppers in a warm, well-lit place.
- It is necessary to ventilate the greenhouse every day, remove the accumulated condensate and, if necessary, moisten the soil.
The first shoots appear after 1.5-2 weeks. During the period of seed germination, the temperature in the room is maintained at the level of +25 oC. As soon as the peppers hatch, this indicator is temporarily lowered to +18 oC and they wait for the germination of all grains. After that, the temperature is raised to +22 oC and maintained until the plants are planted in the open ground. The daylight hours should be at least 12 hours. When there is a lack of light, additional lighting is organized using phytolamps.
How to determine the time to transplant pepper into the greenhouse
By the time the seedlings are picked up in the greenhouse, they must be at least 75 days old. The plants will already have strong stems and buds. Peppers need to be hardened a week before the intended transplant. To do this, they are sent to the balcony or to a shaded place in the yard, where night temperatures are about +10-15 oC.
The exact time of planting pepper seedlings in the greenhouse is determined depending on the climatic features of a particular region. By this time, the soil should warm up to +14 oC to a depth of at least 9 cm. Experienced gardeners recommend pre-watering the future beds with hot water.
Planting pepper on seedlings is not a difficult procedure, but it requires certain skills, dexterity and good theoretical training. Beginners should study the necessary literature and consult with experienced comrades before starting landing work.