Key points of autumn-delayed cultivation technology for greenhouse peppers
With the promotion of greenhouses, the area of off-season pepper cultivation is expanding year by year. However, people lack the techniques for autumn-delayed cultivation of greenhouse peppers, resulting in low yields and poor benefits. Greenhouse peppers are vegetables whose production is delayed through protected facilities into the cold late autumn season, and "off-season" marketing often brings better benefits. Li Yuhong, associate professor at the College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, reminds that management of autumn-delayed greenhouse peppers is more demanding than that of summer crops.
????Water and fertilizer management
After watering for transplanting and for seedling recovery, cultivate and loosen the soil in time, hill up soil and close the furrows, and after hilling up soil and closing the furrows, exercise proper seedling control to promote the root system to develop deeper, achieving deep roots and lush leaves. At this time, if there is too much water and fertilizer, plants are prone to excessive vegetative growth and the fruit-setting rate decreases. When the first layer of fruit reaches 2-3 cm in diameter, the plant stems, leaves, flowers and fruits are growing at the same time, so water and topdress in time, applying decomposed human manure or urea. After fertilizing, cultivate in time, which can improve soil permeability and enhance the soil's ability to retain fertilizer. To prevent premature aging of the plants, harvest the lower fruits in time, strengthen watering, keep the soil moist, and topdress in time, so as to favor continued plant growth and flowering and fruit setting. In the late fruiting stage, strengthen water and fertilizer management; topdressing can alternate with watering to promote more fruiting in peppers and increase yield.
????Temperature management
In early October, the greenhouse film should be put on, that is, the greenhouse should be covered. When the temperature outside the greenhouse is above 15°C, ventilation can be carried out throughout the day and night. The better the ventilation is controlled, the stronger the pepper plants will be, and the fewer the flowers and fruits will drop. By early November, do not ventilate at night; close the greenhouse tightly to prevent cold and preserve heat. If the nighttime temperature outside the greenhouse drops below 15°C, pepper growth slows and fruit expansion also slows. At night, the greenhouse film and greenhouse door should be tightly closed, and ventilation can only be carried out during the day when the temperature is high, keeping the greenhouse temperature at 20°C-25°C to favor fruit expansion. At night, before the minimum outside temperature drops to near 0°C, a temporary small arch shed should be added immediately for cold protection and heat preservation. If there is not enough time to add a small arch shed, another layer of plastic film can be used to cover the pepper plants to avoid freezing the plants and ensure young fruit growth. At noon on sunny days, ventilation should also be carried out for a short time in a sheltered spot to remove harmful gases in the greenhouse, supplement oxygen and carbon dioxide, lower the temperature inside the greenhouse, and reduce the occurrence of diseases.
????Cultivation, hilling and pruning
Peppers grown in greenhouses grow vigorously, have tall plant types, and their branches break easily. For convenience and to facilitate ventilation and light penetration, plastic rope can be used to hang the branches or bamboo poles can be used on the outer side of the ridge to fix the plants horizontally and prevent lodging. Side branches that are too thin and weak, as well as old leaves and fruitless side branches on the lower part of the plant, can be pruned to save nutrients and favor ventilation and light penetration. In the early growth stage, cultivate while removing weeds; cultivation should be shallow rather than deep, with a depth of 5-6 cm. When the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, cultivation can be deeper, preferably 10 cm. Before the plants close the rows, hill up soil once to prevent lodging.
In addition, attention should also be paid to pest and disease control.