A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Techniques and Management Methods of Xiaomila (Bird's Eye Chili)
Xiaomila (Bird's Eye Chili) is an extra-hot variety; its fruits are small, but its pungency is much higher than that of ordinary chili peppers. For those who love spicy food, their passion for chili peppers is even more pronounced. So, what are the cultivation techniques for Xiaomila?
1. Site selection and land preparation
Choose land with good drainage and convenient irrigation and drainage, plow deeply, and make raised beds. The bed width is generally 1.3-1.7 m (including ditches), with 2-3 rows planted. While making the beds, apply 50-80 loads of decomposed stable manure, 15 kg of superphosphate, and 25 kg of plant ash per mu as base fertilizer.
2. Sowing and seedling raising
Before sowing, water the seedbed soil thoroughly and break it up and level it finely. The seedbed width is preferably 1.5-1.7 m. Early-maturing varieties are generally sown in January, while late-maturing varieties are generally sown in February to March. Sowing 75-120 g is needed to plant one mu. After sowing, cover the seeds with fine soil mixed with old bran ash or coal ash, about 2 cm thick, just enough to cover the seeds.
3. Transplanting
For chili pepper transplanting, a soil temperature above 15°C is preferable. For early-maturing varieties, the row spacing is 40-50 cm and the plant spacing is 26-33 cm, with 1-2 plants per hole. For late-maturing varieties, the row spacing is 66-73 cm and the plant spacing is 50-60 cm, with 1 plant per hole. Choose a sunny afternoon for transplanting.
4. Field management
After transplanting and establishment, carry out one shallow intertillage in time. After transplanting, take advantage of sunny days to apply a seedling-promoting fertilizer; each application should not be too large or too concentrated. After the first and second layers of fruit set, apply more fertilizer. During the growing period, pay attention to watering and always keep the soil moist.
5. Pest and disease control
The main diseases of chili pepper include: bacterial wilt and powdery mildew. Check in time; when diseased plants are found, immediately pull them out and burn them, and treat them according to the symptoms to prevent spread and transmission.
The cultivation method of Xiaomila is the same as that of ordinary chili peppers, except that when buying seeds, attention should be paid to selecting excellent Xiaomila varieties.