How to Grow Hot Peppers? Detailed Explanation of Planting Methods and Key Technical Points

Hot peppers are an indispensable vegetable in daily life. They not only bring a good taste but also contain rich nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, magnesium and potassium. They also have the effects of warming the middle and dispelling cold, and stimulating appetite and aiding digestion. So how do you grow hot peppers?

1. Cultivation techniques

1. Seed soaking, seedling raising: Before sowing, sun-dry the seeds for 4-6 hours, then soak them in 55°C warm water for 15 minutes, stirring continuously until the water temperature drops to 30°C, then let them stand and soak for 8-10 hours, and dry them in the shade. Before sowing, treat the seedbed with a 1000-fold solution of Lilinjing, water thoroughly to keep the bottom moist, mix the seeds evenly with fine charred mud ash and sow them, then cover with a 1-1.5 cm thick layer of sifted charred mud ash, cover with rice straw, and set up a small arched shed covered with plastic film. During the early stage of seedling growth, thin the seedlings 1-2 times. When the temperature rises to 30°C, remove the film in time. Generally, film removal starts at 9-10 am, and the film should be replaced promptly at 15:00 to keep warm. When the seedbed surface turns white, water thoroughly in time. When the seedlings reach the two-leaf-one-heart stage, transplant them for temporary planting.

2. Field planting: Choose a plot with convenient drainage and irrigation, deep and fertile soil, and no previous Solanaceae crops as the planting site. Apply 100-150 jin of quicklime per mu, then plow, prepare the land and make beds, apply sufficient base fertilizer, and cover with soil until planting. When the seedlings have 8-10 true leaves and are about 55 days old, transplant them, with two rows per bed and a plant spacing of 33 cm. When planting, bring soil and pesticide, water with rooting water while planting, and add Dikesong and phoxim to the rooting water to kill soil pathogens and underground pests.

2. Field management

1. Fertilizer and water management: Apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting, water sufficiently with rooting water after planting, apply fertilizer once after the seedlings recover, apply a fruit-promoting fertilizer once when the first fruit begins to swell, and thereafter apply fertilizer once after every 1-2 batches of fruit are picked. The fertilization principle for small hot peppers is “eat small meals often”; do not apply heavy fertilizer, to prevent fertilizer damage. Small hot peppers are drought-tolerant and afraid of moisture. In rainy seasons, be sure to clear the ditches and drain water, keep drainage unimpeded, and pay attention to replenishing water during long droughts.

2. Before the plants close the rows, do a good job of spreading grass on the bed surface. Mountain grass mulch can prevent weed growth, help retain fertilizer and water, and reduce humidity and prevent drought. When the plants begin to flower, insert stakes to fix the plants and prevent lodging.

3. Pest and disease control: For phytophthora disease in the seedling stage of small hot peppers, you can choose 30% Genbingjing wettable powder at 800-1000 times dilution to water the roots, once every 7 days, for 2-3 consecutive times. After field planting and seedling recovery, water each plant with 0.25 kg of 1000-fold Dikesong solution, which helps control various root diseases. Use Lüheng virus medicine at 900-1200 times dilution to control viral diseases, use asparagus green at 600 times dilution or Lüheng Shajunwang at 1000-1500 times dilution to control bacterial and fungal diseases, use phoxim at 250 times dilution to control underground pests, and use Lüheng Wenjing at 2000-2500 times dilution to control tobacco budworms and other pests. Aphids can be controlled with Yibianjing at 1500 times dilution.

4. Timely harvesting: Small hot peppers are generally harvested when they are 7-9 cm long, 0.5-1.0 cm in diameter, and bright green in color. Harvest daily, generally choosing early morning or morning. Diseased fruits and deformed fruits should be removed in time.

Growing hot peppers is relatively simple, and their adaptability to soil is also relatively strong. Even on your own balcony, they can be grown.