In the spring, every gardener gets excited. The anticipation of a new planting season is exciting. It is very difficult to refuse to buy another packet of seeds. Pepper seedlings are the first in line. Already in February, it can be planted.
Is it difficult to grow pepper seeds for seedlings
This is not to say that growing pepper seeds for seedlings is difficult. Another thing is what kind of seedlings will turn out. Before being transplanted into the ground, one has vigorous, strong plants with the first flowers and even peppercorns, the other has frail sprouts, which are even scary to look at.
The main thing to remember when planting seeds is that pepper does not like transplanting. Therefore, prepare separate cups for him, and exclude the pick.
Guess the landing dates is also important. When calculating, take into account the type of pepper that you are going to sow. The sachet indicates the growing season of the plant. Long-ripening varieties should be sown earlier. It is easier to get a good harvest from early maturing varieties.
Seed quality also plays a role. You can find products of poor quality: low germination, the plant does not correspond to the varietal description. Points to help when choosing seeds:
- Choose not varieties, but hybrids (F1) from them higher productivity and vitality.
- The presence on the bag of all data about the seed producer, including the trade mark, address, telephone number.
- The bag contains the year the seeds were received.
- Specified number of seeds in pieces, not weight in grams.
- A detailed description of farming techniques and how to grow is given.
How to distinguish hot pepper seedlings from sweet or Bulgarian
We planted seeds of bitter and sweet peppers. The cups were not signed. How to distinguish spicy seedlings from Bulgarian seedlings when planting? Is this possible in principle?
An experienced gardener sees differences during growth. Bitter leaves are narrower and longer. If you chew on a leaf of an adult seedling, there will be bitterness in the mouththis will help you differentiate between them.
A good marker will solve the problem. The variety number on the glass will help you determine what is growing in it.
Not planting sweet and bitter ones next to it is the main advice for a novice gardener. Due to dusting, instead of sweet, bitter fruit can be obtained.
Landing at home
Let's consider several ways of pre-sowing seed treatment at home. The goals pursued in this case:
- accelerate germination;
- improve immunity;
- exclude infections.
Eliminate infections by soaking seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate... For disinfection, 15 minutes is enough.
Improves immunity hardening... It is carried out for 7 days. The seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth. During the day they lie near the battery, at night in the refrigerator.
Accelerate germination bubbling - saturation of seeds with oxygen. You will need an inexpensive aquarium compressor. The seeds are dipped into a container of water and the compressor is turned on. The seeds are bubbling for 24 hours. They are dried before planting.
The choice of capacity and substrate
Peppers grow well in 350-400 ml transparent disposable cups. The roots develop well in them. At the bottom, you can make a drainage hole with a hot nail or knitting needle. Excess water will not linger in the glass.
Peppers do not tolerate transplanting well, so they are immediately planted in a separate container according to step-by-step instructions.
Substrate preparation
You can use a purchased substrate for planting, containing all the necessary set of trace elements. A soil mixture prepared by your own hands is safer.
You need to prepare it in the fall. Take garden land from the ridge where they grew cucumbers, onions or carrots... For 1 part of the land taken in the garden, add 1 part of peat and 1 part of humus. Pour 2 tablespoons into a well-mixed mixture with a volume of 10 liters. superphosphate and 2 glasses of ash. Mix everything again.
A week before planting, spill the soil mixture prepared with your own hands with a solution of phytosporin (10 liters - 5 g). The biological product will preserve all beneficial microorganisms and kill fungal spores and harmful bacteria.
Sowing seeds
The cups are filled with earth. It is moist, loose and ready to plant. If there are a lot of seeds, you can sow two seeds in one glass. Leave the sprouted sprouts the strongest... Pinch off the weak pepper. Seeding Depth - 1 cm.
The soil is moist, so after planting it no need to water... Place the cups on a pallet and cover them with PVC foil. The mini greenhouse is ready. For 2-3 weeks (this is the time for seed germination), put the greenhouse in a warm place. For germination, a temperature of 25-28 degrees is needed.
Care
Sometimes remove the film before sprouts appear for airing. If the ground dries up, moisten with a sprayer. When the sprouts hatch, rearrange the tray with glasses on the windowsill.
To get strong seedlings you need arrange artificial lighting... Turn it on in the mornings and evenings when there is no sun.
For lighting, they usually use:
- phytolamps;
- LED;
- sodium;
- metal halide.
Pepper needs 12 hours of daylight.
You need to water the seedlings quite often. Peppers love moderately moist soil. Excessive watering is bad for the health of the seedlings. She can stop growing, get sick.
Before transplanting into open ground (greenhouse), feed the seedlings 2 times with fertilizer Kemira Lux... For the first feeding, take 1 g per liter, for the second - 2 g per liter. Pour earth into the cups, if necessary. The roots should not be exposed.
To prevent the transplant from becoming severe stress, the peppers need preparation - hardening. You can spend it at night. Open a window so that the room temperature drops below 15 degrees.
Signs quality seedlingsready for transplant:
- Leaves of rich green color in the amount of 10-12 pieces.
- The presence of buds 1-2.
- The stem height is at least 20 cm.
Growing pepper seedlings is an exciting experience. It cannot be called difficult, as it is interesting to care for young plants. Seedlings grown with love will reward you with a good harvest.