When is the latest planting time for peppers?
The initial growth of peppers is the germination stage. After germination and sowing, they generally emerge in about 5-8 days, the first true leaf appears in about 15 days, and this continues until the flower buds become visible, which is the seedling stage. From the first flower cluster to the setting of the first pepper is the flowering stage. From fruit set to uprooting is the fruiting stage. The suitable temperature for peppers is between 15 and 34 degrees. The suitable temperature for seed germination is 25-30 degrees, and germination takes 5-7 days. Below 15 degrees or above 35 degrees, the seeds will not germinate. The seedling stage requires a relatively high temperature, with 25-30 degrees during the day and 15-18 degrees at night being best. Seedlings are not tolerant of low temperatures, so attention must be paid to cold protection. If peppers are exposed to 35 degrees, it will cause flower and fruit drop.
Planting time and seedling-raising techniques
Reasonable planting time and correct seedling-raising techniques are necessary conditions for obtaining high yields in pepper cultivation. Below, let us take a look at the planting time and seedling-raising techniques for peppers.
1. Seedling-raising time: If peppers are cultivated in spring in protected facilities, they are generally sown and raised in January-February.
2. Seedling-raising facilities: A solar greenhouse can be used; or an insulated improved cold frame; or a plastic tunnel, small arch shed with plastic film mulching and straw curtains.
3. Seed treatment
① Chemical seed soaking: To prevent and control the common and frequently occurring pepper anthracnose, viral diseases, and bacterial spot disease, select high-quality, high-yield varieties. First pre-soak the seeds in clean water for 5 hours, then remove them in batches, drain them, and soak them in 1% copper sulfate solution, 10% trisodium phosphate solution, and 2% sodium hydroxide solution for 10 minutes each to disinfect and sterilize. Then remove them, rinse them clean with water, and carry out germination.
② Conventional warm-water seed soaking: Use an amount of water 5 times that of the seeds. Pour the seeds into 55-degree water and stir immediately. After the water temperature drops to 30 degrees, soak for another 8 hours. This method has a sterilizing effect on pepper scab and sclerotinia disease.
4. Germination: Wrap the soaked seeds in a wet cloth and place them in a warm place to germinate. Each day, control the temperature at 28—30℃ for 16—18 hours and at 16—20℃ for 6—8 hours. Every 12 hours, turn them and rub-wash them with 30℃ warm water once, so that they are heated and warmed evenly, which helps them germinate uniformly and strongly. Generally, after 5—7 days, when more than 80% have germinated, the temperature can be lowered to 10℃ or they can be spread indoors for low-temperature sprout hardening for 6—8 hours, and then they are ready for sowing.
5. Sowing: The seedbed soil is best taken from soil that has not grown solanaceous fruit vegetables for three years. The seedbed soil should be sieved, and for each square meter of seedbed, apply 10 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer. The seedbed should be 10 cm high and leveled flat. Before sowing, water thoroughly to the bottom, and after the water has completely seeped down, cover with a layer of fine soil, spread the germinated seeds evenly on top, cover with 5 mm of soil after sowing, and promptly cover with plastic film and set up a small arch shed to increase temperature and preserve moisture, promoting early emergence. After 70% of the seeds have emerged, promptly remove the plastic film, and when all have emerged, cover with another 5 mm of soil.
6. Thinning: When the cotyledons of the seedlings have flattened and spread, thin them in time. Remove the overcrowded, diseased, deformed, and weak seedlings with poor growth. After thinning, cover with soil again to protect the roots. Temperature management: 25 degrees—30 degrees. Maintain a relatively high soil temperature. Ten days before lifting the seedlings, gradually lower the shed temperature and control irrigation to shorten the recovery period after planting.
7. Transplanting and dividing seedlings: When the seedlings grow to 4-5 true leaves, carry out transplanting and dividing. Transplant at a hole spacing of 7x7 cm, with 2—3 plants per hole, and cover between the holes with prepared fine seedbed soil, filling it firmly.
After reading about the planting time and seedling-raising techniques for peppers, below the editor will introduce the common disease control techniques during pepper cultivation!