Detailed Explanation of the Key Cultivation and Management Techniques for Three-Cherry Chili

I. Raising Seedlings

Three-Cherry Chili can be raised in cold frames or small arch sheds, with small arch sheds being the main method. The specific practices are as follows.

1. Construction of the small arch shed The small arch shed is generally 1.5--2 m wide and 1 m high, with straw mats added at night depending on the climate.

2. Preparation of the growing soil Use 7--8 parts fertile garden soil and 2--3 parts decomposed barnyard manure, mix well; if the soil is sticky and heavy, also mix in sandy soil.

3. Sowing time Spring-sown seedlings are generally scheduled for mid-to-late February, and no later than March 5. Summer sowing is generally in mid-March, and no later than March 25.

4. Sowing Before sowing, irrigate sufficiently to fill the soil moisture; sow when there is no standing water on the bed surface. Either broadcasting or drilling can be used; generally, scatter the seeds evenly in the seedbed first, then immediately cover with sieved fine soil, with a covering thickness of 1 cm as appropriate. After sowing and covering with soil, add a layer of plastic film (remove it promptly once the cotyledons emerge), then cover the arch shed with plastic film with good light transmittance, and add straw mats at night. To plant 667 sq m of land, 10--15 sq m of seedlings are needed.

5. Seedling-stage management Focus on three links, namely, doing a good job of insulation and freeze protection in the early stage to promote early and complete emergence; in the middle stage, reasonably adjust temperature and humidity to prevent seedling scorching, seedling flash, and seedling collapse.

Thinning, pulling out excess seedlings and covering with soil When the seedlings emerge and the cotyledons fully unfold, carry out the first thinning, with a seedling spacing of 1.5 cm; when the 2nd--3rd true leaves unfold, carry out the second thinning, with a seedling spacing of 3--5 cm.

Ventilation management After the seedlings grow to 4--6 true leaves, the seedbed should be gradually ventilated, with ventilation carried out at noon on sunny days when the temperature is relatively high.

Water and fertilizer management When the surface soil of the seedbed is dry and the seedlings wilt at noon, water promptly. Starting from the 2nd true leaf, spray foliar fertilizer once every 7--10 days.

II. Cultivation Techniques

1. Rational fertilization and fine land preparation

① Crop rotation selection. Three-Cherry Chili prefers fresh ground and is not suitable for continuous cropping; continuous cropping reduces yield, and low-lying waterlogged land is not suitable for planting; ② Apply sufficient base fertilizer, with heavy application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Generally, apply 75 kg of superphosphate and 25 kg of potassium chloride or 20 kg of potassium sulfate per 667 sq m. For high-yield plots, apply 75--100 kg of superphosphate, 20--30 kg of potassium sulfate, and 25 kg of urea per 667 sq m; ③ Fine land preparation, ridging and film mulching. During land preparation, plow deeply and harrow finely so that the soil is fine and clod-free. A plowing depth of about 25 cm is appropriate. Then form ridges and cover with film; when mulching, pull the film tight and cover well, and press and seal the edges tightly with soil.

2. Early planting of strong seedlings and rational close planting

① Transplanting time for Three-Cherry Chili. Generally, transplant as early as possible after the late frost when the temperature steadily rises back to 15°C. Spring sowing should be completed around May 1, and summer sowing should be transplanted promptly after the wheat harvest, no later than June 20, and the earlier the better; ② Transplanting method. The day before transplanting, water the seedbed thoroughly so that when lifting seedlings more soil is retained and fewer roots are damaged, reducing seedling injury. Because Three-Cherry Chili is not tolerant of waterlogging, the seedlings should be planted on the ridge when transplanting, with 2 rows per ridge, and the planting position should be such that watering can wet the roots. According to the required plant and row spacing, first dig planting holes one by one in the plastic film, then plant the seedlings into the planting holes, and firm the soil around the seedlings. Water immediately after planting; ③ Rational close planting. Because Three-Cherry Chili has a small plant type and compact plants, dense planting is suitable for field cultivation. Row spacing 40--50 cm, hole spacing 20--25 cm, planting 6500--7000 holes per 667 sq m.

3. Field management

① Fertilizer and water management. Use the one-time fertilization method, with no topdressing during the growth period. However, for chili fields with poor fertilizer retention, apply quick-acting fertilizer after the Three-Cherry Chili sets fruit. During the growth period, the soil should be kept in a state of alternating dry and wet. If drought occurs, water promptly, and preferably in the evening on sunny days. Never water under the scorching sun; ② Intertillage and weeding. After the Three-Cherry Chili is transplanted and revives, carry out timely intertillage, and intertill 2--3 times before flowering. If rain occurs, intertill promptly after the rain. Accelerate soil moisture evaporation and raise soil temperature. Weeding can be combined with intertillage, but do not damage the plastic film; ③ Topping. 5--7 days after transplanting and revival, top promptly, thereby limiting main stem growth and promoting side branches to achieve high yield. Summer sowing generally does not require topping.

4. Pest and disease control

The main pests harming Three-Cherry Chili include aphids, cotton bollworms, and cabbage caterpillars. For control, spray the leaves with 1000-fold aphid-killing solution or 2000-fold Green Kongfu solution.

The main diseases harming Three-Cherry Chili include: Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora blight, anthracnose, and soft rot. These diseases are easily contracted during periods of high temperature and frequent rain. Affected plots can be controlled with mancozeb, chlorothalonil, or oxadixyl; for soft rot, agricultural streptomycin can be used.

5. Timely harvesting, and do a good job of drying and grading

Because Three-Cherry Chili grows in clusters and ripens uniformly, generally pull up the whole plant at frost descent or when the fruits are all ripe, harvest all at once, and dry and grade.