Master the planting time and new methods for chili peppers, and you won't have to worry about weak seedlings
In China, chili peppers are eaten in a wide variety of ways, whether in cooking, hot pot, or making sauce, and they are very common, with a very wide planting area as well. So when is the planting time? What new methods can help with germination and strong seedlings? Below, the Tuliu.com editor will answer them one by one for everyone.
I. About chili peppers
1. Distribution of chili peppers
Chili pepper is an annual or limited-perennial herbaceous plant, also known as ox horn pepper, long chili pepper, sweet pepper, bell pepper, etc. It comes from the tropical regions of Latin America, and its country of origin is Mexico; it is now commonly grown in countries all over the world. In China, it is mainly distributed in Sichuan, Guizhou, Hunan, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Henan (Xichuan County), Jize County in Hebei Province, and Togtoh County in Inner Mongolia.
2. Varieties of chili peppers
Varieties of chili pepper include sweet pepper (a variety), bell pepper, facing heaven pepper, and cluster pepper. Commonly used varieties include India Pepper No. 17, Xiaomila, Bullet Head, Xinyidai, bell pepper, Shizhu Red, Erjingtiao, and so on. Everyone can choose the most suitable variety according to different local environmental conditions.
3. Per-mu yield of chili peppers
Generally, depending on different varieties, regions, production environments, and climate, the per-mu yield of chili peppers also varies, but usually the per-mu yield of chili peppers produced by specialized growers is around 500 kg, and well-managed chili peppers can even reach 1000 kg. Generally, the annual income from one mu of chili peppers is 6000-16000 yuan, and after deducting costs it is about 3000-13000 yuan.
In addition, besides being sold fresh, chili peppers can also undergo deep processing to make chili sauce, dried chili peppers, and so on, which can increase the added value of the product.
II. Chili pepper planting time and new methods
To achieve high returns from growing chili peppers, the yield of chili peppers is one of the keys, so below we introduce the planting time and new methods that help with germination and strong seedlings.
(1) Chili pepper planting time
Chili peppers are suitable for sowing in spring or early summer, with the best sowing period from March to July; each region can make appropriate adjustments according to the climate conditions of that year. For example, Guangdong has higher temperatures and can basically grow them all year round.
(2) New methods for growing chili peppers
1. Use chemicals to soak chili pepper seeds
To prevent and control the common and frequently occurring chili pepper anthracnose, bacterial spot disease, and viral disease, first pre-soak the seeds in clean water for 5 hours, then soak them in a 1% copper sulfate solution, a 10% trisodium phosphate solution, and a 2% sodium hydroxide solution for 10 minutes each in turn, remove them and wash them clean with water, then carry out germination.
2. Subject the soaked seeds to alternating-temperature germination
Wrap the soaked and treated seeds in a wet cloth and place them in a warm place to germinate. Every day, control the temperature at 28-30°C for 18 hours and at 16-20°C for 6 hours. Turn and rub-wash them twice at fixed times each day so that they receive heat and moisture evenly and germinate uniformly and strongly. Generally, after 4-7 days, when more than 80% have germinated, the temperature can be lowered to 10°C for low-temperature seedling hardening for about 7 hours, then wait for sowing.
3. After sowing and thinning, transplant and heel in the seedlings
Prepare the seedbed according to conventional requirements, use farmyard manure, water the seedbed thoroughly before sowing, and spread nutrient soil. Then evenly scatter the germinated seeds, cover with plastic film, and set up a small arched shed with film covering to increase temperature and retain moisture, promoting early, complete, and strong seedlings. When the seedlings grow to 4-5 true leaves, transplant them at a row and hole spacing of 10 cm square, with two plants per hole, into the adjacent arched shed for cultivation and management. When they reach 10-20 true leaves and a seedling age of 90-110 days, they can be transplanted into the field on a sunny day.
The above is all the content introduced by the Tuliu.com editor for everyone. Because the actual situation in each region is different, when growing chili peppers you must adapt to local conditions and can only refer to the above content rather than blindly copying it.