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How to sow sweet peppers for seedlings. When to sow pepper for seedlings in February When to plant pepper

Growing seedlings of pepper has its own characteristics. If errors occur with watering, sudden temperature fluctuations, or unsuccessful transplants, the stems of plants coarsen, their potential yield is reduced. How to grow pepper seedlings?

How to plant seedlings on pepper? Pepper is a rather bizarre and thermophilic culture. However, gardeners do sowing pepper seedlings, and even more, they grow crops with great success. The main thing is to know when to plant seeds for seedlings, and then provide proper care for peppers when grown outdoors.

In Siberia

When to plant pepper seedlings in Siberia? Pepper varieties differ in maturity. The sowing period for seedlings depends on them, pepper in Siberia for seedlings must be sown, taking into account the harsh climatic conditions. It is necessary to guess the ripening time of pepper in the open field at the hottest summer time- July, beginning of August.

The beginning of warm July is positive for collecting seeds, ripening fruits, rooting cuttings, and top dressing. you can find out when you need to harvest pepper, eggplant and what days are unfavorable for sowing plants in July according to the lunar calendar.

When to sow seedlings for peppers in Siberia? Varieties and growth time before planting in open ground:

early varieties. The maturation period of seedlings is 100-120 days, the age of seedlings for planting in open ground is 50-60 days, sowing time is in mid-March.
Average maturity. The period of maturation of seedlings from the moment of sowing is 120-135 days, the age of seedlings for planting is 60 days, the sowing time for seedlings is the third decade of February.
Late varieties. The ripening period is 136-150 days, the age of seedlings for planting is 60-75 days, the sowing time is early February. The maturation time of the seed and its age for planting vary greatly in time, because the time for seed germination can vary from 14 to 35 days.

In the Urals

When to plant pepper seedlings in the Urals? Pepper is a plant that is thermophilic and only ripens in the southern regions. In all other regions, it is grown only through seedlings; pepper in the Urals for seedlings simply cannot grow physically, it simply does not have time.

In what month should you sow pepper seedlings in the Urals?

MarchApril

The best dates for planting pepper seedlings according to the lunar calendar will be February 9, 19, 23, and March 7, 20, 22. The ideal time will be the middle, and even better - the beginning of February. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the fact that not all varieties of pepper, but only the Siberian selection, are suitable for planting, they are most suitable for such conditions. Now on the market a good choice such varieties and hybrids of this nightshade culture. The most famous among them are:

"Red Bull";

"Bogatyr";

"Merchant".

Sowing pepper in February for seedlings

The most optimal time for sowing sweet pepper seeds in central Russia is mid-February. It is too early to plant them in January, as the winter month does not provide enough light, and the plants will be sluggish and weak, or additional lighting will be required.

For the southern regions of Russia, sowing starts earlier, since the warm climate allows earlier planting of seedlings in greenhouses and open ground, and for the northern regions - later. Many gardeners use a lunar sowing calendar, and sowing times can vary from year to year.

In January

Auspicious days for planting pepper seedlings in January are as follows: 5, 6, 7, 8, 30. It is not recommended to deal with this issue only on 11 and 28 days.

December

December favorable days 2, 20, 25, 29 and only 3 and 18 are unfavorable.

Sowing seedlings of sweet pepper seeds

Start growing pepper seedlings in late February or early March, but keep in mind:

An experienced gardener decided that if everything went well, by the end of May or the beginning of June, the seedlings would be completely ready for planting in open ground.
If you live in the middle lane or further north, then March suits you better. For owners of more southern plots, the end of February will be a suitable date.
If you find it difficult to decide, check with your neighbors in the country or other diggers who have experience in growing pepper seedlings.
Pepper seedlings begin to grow in February or March. In February, a suitable period for sowing peppers will be from 17 to 29, in April - from 16 to 28.
More specifically, especially the most auspicious day, it will look like this: February 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26 and March 18, 19, 24, 25, 26.

When to plant hot peppers on seedlings

To make seedlings strong, you first need to know when to start planting hot pepper seedlings. The lunar calendar will help you with this. The most favorable days start from 10 to 15 and from 24 to 26 February. Fitting also depends on the region where you live. If the climate is warmer, then it is better to harvest in early February, and if it is cold, then at the end of the month.

Preparation of pepper seeds for sowing seedlings

How to prepare pepper seeds for planting seedlings? The most difficult in cultivation is traditionally considered the first stage - planting. If the preparation of pepper seeds for sowing on seedlings is done correctly, then further care will not be difficult, and you have every chance of getting an excellent crop of sweet peppers.

Soil for seedlings of peppers and tomatoes

How to prepare the ground for seedlings of peppers? When the seeds are ready to be sown, it's time to prepare the soil. For seedlings, you can use universal soil, which can be bought at any store.

You can use the land even from the garden. If it was kept on the balcony all winter, before sowing the seeds it is brought into a warm room for 4-5 days to warm it up. You can also mix equal parts universal soil with garden soil and add ash to this mixture.

How to properly prepare the seeds

An important step in the cultivation of pepper seedlings is the preparation of seeds for sowing. Since the seeds of this crop grow for a long time, they must be germinated beforehand. You will need to carry out:

seed disinfection. This step can be skipped, but we recommend disinfecting the seeds in a pink solution of potassium permanganate. It is enough to keep them there for 30 minutes.
Soaking pepper seeds. Wrap the seeds in a paper towel, soak well, place on a plate and wrap in a plastic bag or cling film.
Place the seeds in a warm place. Place the plate of seeds in a warm place (preferably a battery). Make sure there is enough moisture. After about 3 days, the seeds should swell and hatch.

Planting pepper seeds and growing seedlings

Soil preparation for pepper seedlings begins with the choice of soil. Peat tablets give good results when growing crops that are under increased stress during transplantation. For example, if tomato seedlings tolerate picking well, sweet peppers react painfully to transplantation. After picking, he does not budge for a long time, especially if the picking was a little late, and the seedlings have outgrown. This problem can be easily avoided by sowing pepper seedlings in peat tablets and growing it without picking.

How to grow peppers for seedlings in tablets

Peat tablets contain everything necessary for the development of seedlings. They allow you to grow a good pepper seedling even for beginners. Traditionally, pepper seedlings are sown at the end of February, when the day is still short.

Expert opinion

Filatov Ivan Yurievich, private farmer for over 30 years

To get strong seedlings, you need to supplement the crop with additional light. When growing in tablets, the sowing period can be moved to the beginning of March, since without germination, the seedlings will develop faster. This will also be facilitated by a longer daylight hours. Therefore, the favorable period for planting pepper seeds in peat tablets is from March 1 to March 10.

Seeding methods

A good way would be to sow pepper in a snail. You can get a large number of planting material with a small area.

There are lovers of experiments among the inhabitants of the Urals. Planting peppers in boiling water - isn't that amazing! You can act in different ways:

First, spill the earth with boiling water, and then distribute the seeds in it randomly. Lightly sprinkle the soil and close the container tightly.
Lightly moisten and tamp the soil, pour in the pepper seeds and pour over hot water. The seed itself will find its place in the earth. Close the container.

If you plant peppers for seedlings in boiling water, then, according to the creators of the method, friendly shoots appear on the 4-5th day. If necessary, the soil is spilled.

Ventilation of pepper seedlings is required! Excess moisture on containers is removed with a sponge.

With the advent of the first plants, the "greenhouses" are removed from the containers and put on a well-lit window. Now you need to make sure the soil doesn't dry out. The signal for a dive (when using this method of growing seedlings) is the appearance of three or four real leaves. Diving can be carried out in any container, or in diapers.

How to fertilize seedlings of peppers and tomatoes

Seedlings are fertilized in the morning. This method will help to avoid the "black leg" and help to properly absorb nutrients:

Before applying mineral fertilizers, the soil must be watered. Instead of regular watering, use infusions of shells or tea.
When fertilizing, it is important to ensure that liquid does not get on the stems and leaves of plants. Do not pour under the root, it is better to irrigate it with soil around the stem.
After the appearance of the first shoots and until the end of fruiting, it is recommended to apply fertilizer 2 times a month.

The smaller the container in which eggplants or peppers grow, the more nutrition will be. In between, gently loosen the soil around the stems to improve ventilation and prevent root rot.

All liquid top dressing is applied only in a warm form. Cold solutions can cause shock, dropping of the ovary or death of plants. If fertilizer gets on the leaves, they should be carefully washed off with warm water from a watering can.

Timely feeding will ensure the normal development of seedlings, plant health and excellent yields. By experimenting with fertilizers and different dosages, you can achieve impressive results both at home and in the greenhouse.

Video

You can also watch a video where they will tell you how to sow pepper for seedlings.

Planting a plant in the garden should begin with planning. This is due to the fact that getting a good harvest depends not only on providing optimal conditions for growing a crop, but also on the right planting period. This also applies to such a useful garden crop as pepper. Read more about when to sow pepper seedlings in February will be discussed in this article.

The phase of the growing moon is considered the most suitable and necessary phase for gardeners, because it is recommended to plant crops growing above ground level on these days. Immediately, we note that sowing seeds can be started as early as February. Only observance of the optimum temperature in combination with regular irrigation will allow you to get full and strong sprouts.

The most suitable days of February for sowing peppers include:

The 14th of February– for sowing varieties of sweet pepper;
February 16- for sowing sweet and bitter peppers;
February 23- for sowing sweet peppers. This date is considered the most favorable for obtaining a rich harvest of pepper in 2-3 months.

It is believed that the most unfavorable time period for this crop is February 17-22. During this period, the phase of the waning moon begins. At a minimum, you will waste your time and effort, so it is recommended to wait for the right time to sow the seeds. Especially since it's only a few days, so you'd better be patient.

To select the right variety, you must first decide on the desired result and what you want to grow. If your goal is large fruits of pepper with tender and thick pulp, then varieties such as California Miracle, Winnie the Pooh and others are suitable for this. If you are growing peppers for canning, then it is better to sow Topolin or Merchant.

On a note! Always read the information on the packaging of seeds and pay attention to their expiration date. It is advisable to choose as fresh as possible, otherwise the seedlings, despite proper care, will grow weak and frail.

To check the quality of the seed, you need to pour the seeds with a warm saline solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt per 200 g of water). After mixing thoroughly, wait 5-7 minutes: if the seeds float to the surface, then they are unsuitable for planting. Leave only sunken pepper seeds.

Growing seedlings of pepper

This process is a bit like planting and caring for tomatoes, because these crops have one common feature- They belong to the Solanaceae family. The plant does not require special care, so even a novice gardener can handle the cultivation. Of course, there are still certain nuances in this matter that need to be taken into account. It's about about the preparation of seeds and soil, proper watering, transplanting into open ground, and so on. Let's consider each of the stages separately.

Seed preparation

Having decided on the variety of pepper, spread the seeds on a piece of paper for inspection. All damaged or insufficiently large seeds must be removed. For sowing, leave only high-quality full-weight material. Then treat the seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate to prevent fungal diseases. Of course, store-bought preparations can also be used instead of potassium permanganate, but experienced gardeners prefer this old proven method.

After you disinfect the seeds in the solution, the material must be soaked for a day in warm water, after decomposing them into gauze and folding them in half. Gauze is required so that after soaking the seeds can be collected without problems. Otherwise, you will have to catch them one by one with tweezers.

Soil preparation

After leaving the seeds in the water for germination, you can start preparing the soil mixture for seedlings. You can not bother and buy the finished mixture in the store, mixing it with a small amount of washed and sifted sand.

But you can use the soil mixture of your own preparation. To do this, mix the washed sand with peat in equal proportions. Don't forget to add some humus as well. The resulting mixture must be sieved and calcined in a double boiler or oven for 40 minutes. This will disinfect the soil and protect future seedlings from weeds and various diseases.

Sowing

This process is actually simple and not much different from sowing other garden plants. But at the same time, you should follow the clear instructions, which are presented below.

Table. Sowing pepper seeds with boiling water.

Steps, photo	Description of actions
	Fill the container with soil mixture. At the same time, fill it up to about 80%. Be sure to make small holes in the bottom of the container.
	Place pepper seeds in the palm of your hand for convenience. If you decide to sow the seeds immediately from the pack without pre-soaking, then you will not need to collect them with gauze tweezers. It is enough to open the package and pour the contents into your hand.
	Spread all the seeds evenly over the surface of the soil and lightly tamp them down with your fingers or palm. Since this instruction describes the method of planting pepper seedlings with boiling water, it is not necessary to cover the seeds with a layer of soil.
	Gently pour boiling water over the seeds, being careful not to miss a single section. You can water directly from the kettle. Do not pour a lot of boiling water so that the soil does not turn out to be waterlogged.
	Close the container tightly with a lid. If not, use cling film. Cover immediately after watering with boiling water. After that, you will see steam coming from the ground. Move the container to a warm place.
	After 5-6 days, you will be able to see the first shoots of pepper. Sprinkle them with a small amount of soil, and after 1.5 weeks the seedlings will be ready for transplanting.

Aftercare

The recommended temperature regime that must be observed before germination is + 25-27 ° C. After 4 days from the moment of sowing, the soil must be sprinkled with water from a spray bottle. As noted earlier, after about 6 days the first shoots will appear. When they appear, the container must be moved to a cooler place, having removed the lid or polyethylene before that. Now the temperature needs to be lowered to + 22-24 ° C.

For the seed container, you need to find the most illuminated place in the house, and the seedlings should be regularly rotated relative to the light source. As a rule, you need to turn the container at least 2 times a week. Use if possible.

Important! Protect seedlings of young peppers from drafts, as they negatively affect the plant.

After 20-27 days from the moment of emergence of shoots, real leaves should grow. Watering during this period should be carried out no more than once a week, and the first watering should be carried out only a week after the emergence of sprouts. The soil must be sufficiently moist during the growing process, so water the plants regularly. To do this, use warm water (not lower than +25°C). Otherwise, you risk exposing the plant to blackleg infection. Experienced summer residents recommend watering seedlings with settled water, but this is not necessary.

picking

For those who do not know, seedling picking is the process of planting seedlings in individual containers or other containers. This accelerates the growth of the root system, which is associated with the appearance of adventitious and lateral roots. You need to start picking when the plant is at the stage of 2 leaves. In this way, the plants will be much easier to transplant, because they are already quite large compared to the cotyledon leaf phase. But just as in the case of sowing, picking is carried out taking into account some features.

About 2-3 hours before the start of the process, the plants must be watered abundantly, because picking from dry soil is highly not recommended. After waiting until the excess water flows out of the containers, you can proceed. For picking, plastic cups are most often taken, but peat cups can also be taken instead - they will cost an order of magnitude more expensive, but they are much more useful.

Pour into each of the cups a little of the soil mixture that you used when sowing the seeds. Sprinkle the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and make small holes in the middle of the container to fit the size of the seedling root system. During picking, try not to damage the plants, so the seedlings must be taken by the "ears". After placing the pepper in the prepared hole, gently sprinkle it with earth and lightly tamp the soil. The root neck should be 5 mm deep into the ground. Pour water over each seedling, gently holding it with your fingers. After all the liquid is absorbed, you can add a little soil.

Pests and diseases

Most often, pepper suffers from thrips (small insects that infect plant leaves). Even if you grow seedlings at home, this does not protect them from pest attack. To combat thrips, you need to prepare an infusion of tobacco, which later spray the seedlings from a spray bottle. Among all home remedies for cleansing peppers, this one is considered the most effective. To prepare the infusion, pour 5 liters of water into 500 g of tobacco and cook the product over low heat for 20-30 minutes. If you have few plants, then the amount of ingredients can be reduced. Infuse for 12 hours, after which the infusion should be filtered through several layers of gauze and mixed with a small amount of laundry soap. The prepared product is quite poisonous, so it should be handled with care.

On a note! If you don't like folk recipes means against pests, you can buy ready-made in the store. The most common are "Inta-vir", "Zircon", "Barrier" and others. The same goes for various diseases peppers such as blackleg, mosaic disease, leaf mold, bronze and late blight. To prevent these ailments, you need to regularly loosen the earth, as well as treat the plants with special preparations.

Planting pepper seedlings

When 12-17 leaves or single buds appear on seedlings, you can start planting in open ground. The recommended age of seedlings for planting is 50-60 days, while the height of the plant should be more than 20 cm.

If you miss the deadline for planting seedlings in the soil, then the plants will most likely get sick very often. The first ovaries, flowers and leaves on them will gradually fall off, so you need to carefully monitor the development of peppers. In rare cases, after transplanting, seedlings may stop blooming. This phenomenon is explained by a change in habitat, as a result of which the plant gives all its strength to the development of the root part. Before planting, you need to remove the first flowers on the plant, since the number of formed ovaries may not be enough. When planting, be careful not to damage the plant. Even minor cuts on stems or roots can lead to the development of many diseases.

Video - When to plant pepper seedlings

You can get strong, healthy seedlings of pepper if you grow it yourself. Beginning gardeners often wonder how to grow pepper seedlings at home. Before planting, it is important to understand all the nuances: planting dates, seed preparation features, soil selection, care rules.

Optimal landing time

When planning to grow pepper seedlings on your own, you first need to decide when to plant pepper seedlings. The date of sowing seeds for each variety is determined individually. It depends on:

planned growing conditions (open ground, greenhouse);
precocity;
the age at which the pepper is moved into the ground;
seed preparation.

The duration of the vegetative development of peppers depends on the precocity of the variety. If early-ripening varieties ripen 100-120 days from the moment of seed germination, then late-ripening peppers need about 150 days before fruiting. Respectively early varieties should be planted later.

Seedlings are transferred to the main place at the age of 60–80 days. When calculating the timing of sowing seeds, add another 7-10 days for their spitting. If it is planned to grow peppers in unprotected soil, then it is necessary to wait until the earth warms up to +10 .. +15 ° С. An earlier planting will cause a delay in the vegetative development of the plant.

The optimal landing period is the period between February 20 and March 10. If the summer resident plans to plant plants in early June, then March will be the optimal time for sowing seeds. If you plan to plant pepper in a greenhouse at the end of April, then seedlings at home can be planted in early February.

In the southern regions, agronomists advise planting seeds during the 2nd or 3rd decade of February, and in the northern regions - in March.

When choosing a landing day, you should be guided by the lunar calendar. The most favorable period is considered to be the presence of the moon in the constellation of Cancer, Pisces or Scorpio. If you pre-soak the seeds, then the optimal day is selected for their first contact with water.

Favorable by lunar calendar The following dates are considered in 2018:

January 1, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30;
14, 18, 21–22, 25–26 February;
1, 8–11, 20–21, 24–26, 29–31 March;
9, 11, 18, 25–29 April.

Pros and cons of planting seeds immediately in open ground

Some homeowners do not want to grow seedlings at home. They are waiting for warmer weather to immediately sow the seeds in open ground. But this method of growing is considered risky, because pepper is a heat-loving crop. With sudden spring frosts, plants can die.

Residents of the southern regions and the middle zone can try to grow pepper by planting seeds immediately in open ground. In the northern regions and zones related to risky farming, such an experiment is unlikely to end successfully.

You can use only early-ripening varieties, the rest will not have time to begin to bear fruit before the cold snap. It is advised to plant seeds in the ground no earlier than mid-May - early June. The chance of frost must be minimized.

The advantages of this method of planting include the absence of the need to grow seedlings at home. Outdoor cultivation minimizes labor costs.

But this method also has disadvantages:

the ability to grow only early ripening varieties;
high probability of plant death or developmental delay due to unplanned cooling;
the probability of complete ripening of the crop before a cold snap is low even in the south.

Gardeners are forced to constantly monitor the temperature and cover the crops with agrofiber if they transmit a decrease in temperature at night.

Preparing seeds for sowing at home

Having decided on the preliminary date of sowing, it is necessary to reject the seeds. They should be examined first. All frail, damaged specimens are selected. The remaining seeds must be pickled in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes and washed in cold water. Instead of potassium permanganate, some choose antifungal agents for treatment. The following fungicides are used:

Fitosporin-M;
Maxim;
Vitaros.

After etching, they can be soaked in a solution of Epin or Zircon. These are plant growth stimulants that contribute to the accelerated germination of seeds, their activation defensive forces. 2 drops of Epin are added to 100 ml of water. When using Zircon, dissolve 1 drop in 300 ml of water. Soak the seeds for 12-18 hours at room temperature.

When processing several varieties of pepper, which are planned to be planted separately in the future, the seeds of each species are tied in a separate gauze bag.

After the completion of the treatment with growth stimulants, the seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth and film for 2–7 days. Do not allow the tissue and seeds to dry out. They should be at a temperature of + 22 ... + 24 ° С. The hatched seeds are transplanted into the ground. When planting, care should be taken, the slightest damage to the roots will cause the death of the plant.

Rules for the selection and preparation of soil for seeds

Owners of personal plots who want to get strong, healthy seedlings must responsibly approach the issue of soil preparation. It must meet the following requirements:

lack of pests and pathogens;
neutral or slightly acid reaction, optimal level pH is considered 6–6.5;
high nutrient content;
sufficient moisture capacity;
looseness.

You can buy ready-made soil in a specialized store or prepare it yourself. For cooking you will need:

garden land (2 parts);
humus, rotted manure (1 part);
wood ash (the amount is determined based on the fact that 1 bucket of humus requires a large handful of ash);
sawdust (1 part);
peat (1 part).

If there are no sawdust, they are replaced with coarse sand. Garden land should be collected where nightshade crops (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers) have not grown over the past 3-4 years.

Also, summer residents can prepare a substrate from:

humus (3 parts);
peat / turf (3 parts);
river sand (1 part);
ash (250 g per 5 liters of prepared soil).

When preparing the soil mixture yourself, it must be calcined in the oven or steamed in a double boiler for an hour. This is required to kill bacterial pathogens and destroy weeds.

If it is not possible to use humus and find ash, mineral fertilizers are added: ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassium nitrate. Potassium chloride or potassium salt should not be used; these fertilizers contain a large amount of chlorine, which is harmful to the roots of young plants.

The day before planting, you can additionally disinfect the soil by watering it with boiling water.

Sowing pepper seeds for seedlings step by step

2.5 months before the planned planting date, seedlings begin the process of sowing seeds. You can do this according to the following scheme.

Drainage (expanded clay, pebbles) 1–2 cm high is laid at the bottom of pre-prepared containers, soil is poured on top. It is best to plant seeds in separate pots or cups, 10–12 cm deep and 8–10 cm in diameter. In the absence of cups, planting in a common container is allowed.
Seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil with tweezers or hands. If they are planted in a common container, then the optimal distance will be 1.5–2 cm. 3 cm are left between the grooves. 2 seeds can be laid out in separate cups.
After the completion of the process of laying out the seeds, the soil is topped up with a layer of 1–2 cm. It is not necessary to carefully compact it, otherwise it will be difficult for the sprouts to germinate. After completion, the soil is carefully watered, care must be taken that the seeds do not wash to the surface.
From above, containers with soil are covered with a transparent material: glass, plastic wrap. This is necessary to create the greenhouse effect. When the first shoots appear, the cover is removed, the plants need air.

Many have appreciated the benefits of growing seeds in peat cups. When using them, you do not have to worry about possible damage to the roots during transplantation. Seedlings are sent to the ground directly in the cups.

seedling care

In the conditions of an ordinary city apartment, not everyone can grow strong, unstretched seedlings. In the brightest place in the apartment - the windowsill - it is traditionally cold, and in warm corners there is not enough light. When growing, the following nuances must be taken into account.

After sowing the seeds, boxes or pots are placed in a warm place. They cannot be placed on a battery. The optimum temperature for germination is +24..+26 °С. After the appearance of the first shoots, the containers are moved to a bright, cool place. The optimum temperature is +15..+17 °С. After a few days, the temperature must be gradually increased, bringing it to +22..+25 °С during the day and +20 °С at night.

Suitable conditions can be created on the windowsill of a city apartment. To do this, the window is fenced off from the heat coming from the battery and from the apartment with heat-insulating material (it looks like a box with one wall for the entire window sill). Gradually, the insulation is removed, and the air temperature on the windowsill rises.

Emerging shoots must be carefully watered with warm water ( optimum temperature+30 °С). The root system of sprouted plants is weak, so they can simply be washed out of the ground with strong pressure. Excess moisture for seedlings is as harmful as its deficiency. With insufficient watering, the seedlings will begin to fade, and with excessive watering, a black leg appears. You can save the plants if you sprinkle the soil on top with calcined sand or powder with ash.
If the daylight hours are short or the weather is cloudy, the seedlings will have to be illuminated. Otherwise, it will start to stretch.
It is important to provide good ventilation for plants, but they do not like drafts.
To get strong seedlings, you need to fertilize it. The development of the root system is facilitated by feeding with sodium humate: 25 ml of the drug is diluted in 10 liters of water. When 2–4 true leaves appear, pepper is fertilized with a mixture of potassium sulfate, urea (10 g each), superphosphate (30 g). This amount is dissolved in 5 liters of water. A solution is prepared on the basis that 1 liter of the mixture is needed to water 10 plants.

The second feeding is carried out 2-3 weeks after the first. Seedlings should grow at least 5 leaves. The same fertilizers are used, only their concentration is increased by 2 times.

You can use ready-made fertilizers: Krepysh, Agricola, Mortar, Fertika Lux.

Only proper care will make it possible to get healthy seedlings that will bear fruit well.

A pick - is it necessary or not, how to do without it, how to conduct it correctly

Dive pepper when it has 2 true leaves. This usually happens 3-4 weeks after germination. When transplanting, young plants can be buried no more than 0.5 cm.

Many agronomists advise immediately planting seeds in large pots in order to do without picking peppers. The plant does not tolerate this procedure well. If the roots are damaged, the period of vegetative development is extended by 1–2 weeks.

But if the seeds were planted in a common container, then you can’t do without a pick. Plants begin to shade each other, and this negatively affects their growth and development. Picking is also needed to reduce the risk of root rot.

You can minimize the likelihood of damage to the roots if you take out several plants at the same time with a clod of earth. This should be done after abundant watering of the soil. The gardener lays a clod of earth with plants on a horizontal surface and carefully separates each plant.

Dive peppers into pots with a volume of about 150 ml. In them, seedlings will be easier to take root. The hole in the pots is made so that the roots can fit freely. After moving the plants, they are sprinkled with earth, slightly compacted and watered.

Planting peppers in open ground

After 60–80 days of vegetative development, seedlings can be transplanted into open ground. The transplant process begins at the stage of the first buds and 7-8 true leaves, while the height of the plants should be at least 20-25 cm. Only hardened seedlings are allowed to be transplanted into open ground. She should be accustomed to low temperatures, direct sunlight and wind.

When transplanting into open ground, pay attention to the temperature of the soil and air. The earth should be warmed up to +10 °C. It is unacceptable that the air temperature at night falls below +12..+14 °С.

choose a sunny place, protected from drafts;
the soil is first dug up to the depth of a shovel, fertilized with humus or peat;
holes are dug under each seedling at a distance of 0.3–0.5 m from each other, the exact distance depends on the variety of pepper (0.25–0.3 m can be left between undersized determinant species, and 0.5 m will be required for tall indeterminate crops). –0.6 m);
between rows leave at least 0.5 m;
mineral fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) are applied to each well, the wells are spilled with boiling water;
seedlings are moved into the ground along with the soil in which they grew, and sprinkled on top of the earth;
seedlings are watered abundantly, after absorbing moisture, the earth is filled up so that the surface becomes even;
bushes can be mulched with peat.

Subject to all the rules for planting, seedlings should take root.

Video: a proven method of growing

Having decided to start growing seedlings on your own, you will have to deal with many nuances. It is important to properly prepare the soil, treat the seeds before planting. You can grow strong seedlings, if you follow the rules of watering, create optimal conditions for growth. Air temperature, lighting, humidity are important. It must also be remembered that the timely application of fertilizers stimulates the growth and development of plants.

Sweet pepper is a thermophilic culture. Growing a full-fledged pepper by sowing seeds immediately in open ground is problematic even in the southern regions. The plant has a long growing season, so seedlings must be grown to harvest a good harvest.

We cannot control the weather outside the window, but everyone can create optimal conditions for growing seedlings. After transplantation, peppers successfully take root in open ground, fruiting begins a month earlier - you are guaranteed to have time to harvest.

How to choose a variety of sweet pepper

When choosing a variety, consider a number of parameters:

The length of summer in your area. Choose early and medium varieties if the summer is short. If warm weather is guaranteed for 2-2.5 months, varieties with an average ripening period will do. In the southern regions, it is possible to grow late-ripening varieties.
The shape of the fruit is also important. Cylindrical and cone-shaped peppers with thick walls are good for salads, cubic peppers are best for stuffing, small peppers are best for pickling.
Fruit Color: The darker, the sweeter the taste.
Bush height. Low-growing and medium-sized plants are planted on beds under film shelter, tall ones are usually grown in greenhouses.

Terms of planting sweet pepper for seedlings

To obtain good planting material, timely is necessary. If sown too early, young peppers will overgrow in pots, then the lower fruits will begin to set. This takes strength from the plant, they may not take root in the open field, normal fruiting will be delayed.

How to calculate the time of planting sweet pepper seedlings:

Varieties early term ripening should be sown 60 days before the intended transplantation into open ground,
later - for 70-75 days.
The best time for sowing sweet pepper for seedlings is the end of February-beginning of March, if you plan to plant immediately in open ground.

Take into account the subsequent place of growth. In a heated greenhouse, young seedlings are planted by the end of April, in greenhouses and film greenhouses - throughout May, and planting in open ground should be carried out in the first decade of June.

Also note that without a pick, the peppers will be ready for planting two weeks earlier.

It can be carried out in early February, but sweet pepper seedlings will need additional lighting. Use LED or phytolamps. Daylight hours should be 12 hours.

Preparing sweet pepper seeds for seedlings

To soak or not to soak, to process or not to process sweet pepper seeds before planting, everyone decides for himself. But experienced vegetable growers recommend showing a little patience in order to speed up germination and choose the highest quality seed. Alas, to increase the shelf life, sweet pepper seeds are often dried out - but this must be indicated on the packaging.

To get friendly shoots, it is necessary to carry out the selection and processing of seeds.

How to select the best seeds

Prepare a brine solution (30 g of table salt per 1 liter of water), immerse the seeds in it and stir well. See what happens in 5-10 minutes. Weak seeds will float to the surface, and high-quality, healthy ones will sink to the bottom. The latter should be washed well with water, laid out on paper and allowed to dry.

Disinfection from pathogens

The next step is disinfection. You will need a weak solution of potassium permanganate (1 g of powder per 1 liter of water), in which you should hold the seeds for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse and dry slightly.

Strengthening germination

Can be used folk remedies: take 2 g of wood ash for 1 liter of water. Infuse the solution for a day, then keep a bag of seeds in it for about 3 hours.

Soaking can be replaced by bubbling - seed treatment in oxygenated water. For this you will need aquarium compressor. You need to take a large glass container, fill it 2/3 with water (temperature about 20 ° C). Lower the compressor so that its tip is at the bottom and turn on the appliance. When bubbles appear, lower the bag of seeds there and let it stand for a day.

seed hardening

Seedlings should have good immunity. Resistance to changeable weather conditions, diseases will help increase the hardening of seeds. Hold the seeds in warm water until swelling, then move them to the bottom shelf of the refrigerator and stand for a day, then proceed to sowing.

Soil preparation for sowing sweet pepper

The soil needs to be nutritious.

The following options will work:

The most reliable option is a special mixture for growing pepper seedlings. Such soil has already been treated against diseases and pests.
You can prepare the soil mixture yourself. Take 4 parts of peat, 2 parts of sod land, 1 part of humus and rotted sawdust, 0.5 parts of river sand and add 2-3 tbsp. spoons of wood ash.
Coconut substrate - can be easily found in flower shops.
Soil with hydrogel. Hydrogel balls are great for retaining moisture in the soil. Lay them already swollen.
Peat tablets - very convenient option. For subsequent transplants, simply transfer the seedling with it to a container of a larger diameter.

It is recommended to add a little soil to the soil from the area where pepper will grow in the future. It contributes successful adaptation seedlings after transplanting into open ground. Before entering into the soil mixture, this earth must be shed with a solution of potassium permanganate or calcined in the oven for 30-40 minutes.

What container is best to plant

As a container, it is best to use individual cups with a volume of about 100 ml. It is desirable that they are not transparent - exposure to sunlight negatively affects the development of the root system. You can make homemade cups, as shown in the video above.

Growing sweet pepper seedlings at home

How to sow sweet pepper for seedlings?

The main condition is to plant immediately in separate cups so as not to disturb the fragile root system with a pick. Peppers after picking are very sick and stunted, fruiting is delayed.
Planting depth 0.5-1 cm.

Preparing containers and soil for seedlings

Lay a drainage layer at the bottom of the tank (pieces of polystyrene foam, broken bricks, expanded clay).

Fill the cups with soil ¾, compact a little, pour. Make a groove about 1 cm deep, place 1 seed in each cup. Lightly cover with soil.

Lighting and heat

For healthy growth, it is necessary to provide an optimal microclimate: cover the crops with glass or film. To protect the seedlings from drafts as much as possible, place the containers in a box, install a dense wire along its edges, stretch the plastic film on top so that it completely covers the ground with crops.

The cold will destroy the plants, direct sunlight is vital for them. Southern window sills, flooded sunlight– ideal place for growing seedlings bell pepper. When the days are warm, you can take out the seedlings to the insulated balcony, loggia. Be sure to place a heater under the cups with seedlings.

How many days does sweet pepper germinate for seedlings? We maintain the correct temperature

Compliance with the correct temperature regime is an important condition for growing seedlings:

Until the first shoots appear, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature within 25-27 ° C.
Sprouts will appear in 7-14 days (depending on the variety). During this time, ventilate the greenhouse every 2 days and spray the soil with a fine sprayer.
The cover can then be removed. Maintain daytime air temperature at 23-25 °C, nighttime - 16-18 °C.
The air temperature should not fall below 12 ° C, otherwise the plants will lose their leaves and may die.

From the lack of lighting, seedlings begin to reach out to look for a source of light. Older specimens stop growth rates, root system may start to rot. The optimal length of daylight hours for pepper is 9-10 hours. Light up during the daytime (from 8.00 to 20.00).

How to water

Abundant, but not often. The soil should be slightly moist, do not allow stagnant water. Watering is best done in the morning. Use softened water (thawed water, rainwater, or tap water that has been standing for a day), warm it up to room temperature.

The roots need to receive oxygen - after each watering, loosen the soil with a carnation or a match, only slightly breaking the crust on the surface. Do this very carefully, since damage to the root system leads to inhibition of growth, fruiting may not occur.

How to prepare sweet pepper seedlings for planting in the ground

Seedlings that have grown strong need to be hardened off. 10-12 days before transplanting into open ground, take it out for some time to fresh air or leave a window open in the room.

It is useful to spray seedlings with herbal infusion (use onions, garlic, pine needles, marigolds, calendula flowers for infusion).

Thus, the seedlings will become more resistant to diseases and pests.

Immediately after spraying, seedlings should not be taken out under the sun, let the leaves dry. Droplets of water on the leaves can cause sunburn.

top dressing

Sweet peppers need to be fed. Do this twice: apply the first top dressing at the stage of appearance of 3-4 true leaves, the second - with the appearance of 5-6 leaves.

Organics can be applied under the root: a solution of mullein (1 part of humus to 10 parts of water) or an infusion of chicken manure (1 part of dry manure to 20 parts of water). For foliar top dressing, use complex mineral fertilizers.

How to sow sweet pepper seedlings video

Disease protection

A slowdown in growth is a phenomenon that is possible for 2 reasons:

The roots are damaged after picking. If you are a beginner gardener, it is better to refuse this procedure.
Lack of fertilizer. In addition to stopping growth, in this case, pallor of the leaves is observed. It is important to feed the seedlings so as not to destroy them.

The plant loves moisture, but do not overdo it with watering. Excessive watering leads to black leg infection: the root neck becomes soft, darkens, the sprout withers and falls. The causative agent of the disease can be initially infected soil.

To prevent this from happening, you need to ensure proper care:

When watering, water should not fall on the stems. While they are very tiny, apply water through a pipette or syringe into the aisles.
Do not keep under cover for long. Ventilate the greenhouse regularly until seedlings emerge. Make sure that there is no dampness near the stems.
Provide warmth: spores of a harmful fungus become active in cold, damp soil.
There should be no sudden changes in temperature, so as not to weaken the immunity of seedlings.

External characteristics of good seedlings of sweet pepper

Young peppers are ready for transplantation to a permanent place of growth in 60-80 days. Their height should be 17-20 cm. The thickness of a strong stem at the root should be 3-4 mm. A healthy plant should have 7-10 well-developed leaves, buds may be present.

Transplant in open ground with the establishment of real heat (late May-early June).

Stick to a 40x50 cm planting pattern, you can plant seedlings two plants in one hole if you want to use a piece of land more economically.