Ornamental Chili Peppers
For many girls, the explanation of the ornamental chili peppers (ornamental bell peppers) aspect of fruit and vegetable appreciation, the cultivation techniques of ornamental chili peppers (ornamental bell peppers), the following is an introduction for you in detail.
(1) Seedling Raising Chili peppers have higher requirements for temperature and humidity. In the South China region, it is suitable to plant in spring and autumn twice a year. Spring planting is from late February to mid-March, and autumn planting is from late July to early August. To improve the seedling rate and quality of chili peppers, it is recommended to choose greenhouse or small arch shed for seedling raising. Use a soil matrix for seedling raising, with peat soil, river sand, and perlite mixed in a ratio of 6:3:1, then fill them evenly into 8x8cm plastic seedling cups and place them neatly. Before sowing, soak the seeds in 10% trisodium phosphate for 15 minutes for disinfection, then immerse the seeds in 30°C warm water for 2-3 hours, and then place them in a 30°C environment to germinate. Once the seeds show white tips, they can be sown, one seed per cup, then cover with 0.8cm of matrix and finally cover with a shading net and water thoroughly. After 2/3 of the seeds have germinated, remove the shading net and spray with 600 times the concentration of Plurik to prevent damping off disease. Water with a 0.5% compound fertilizer solution every week to supplement nutrients, cultivate strong seedlings, and transplant when they have 4-5 true leaves.
(2) Transplanting Choose fields that have not previously planted solanaceous crops. Before transplanting, deeply plow and finely rake, apply sufficient base fertilizer, apply 1000kg of decomposed chicken manure and 30kg of compound fertilizer per 667 square meters, raise ridges, with ridge surface width of 1m and height of 25cm, ensuring the ridge surface is level. Use double-row transplanting with a spacing of 30-35cm, planting in a triangle shape, with a spacing of 50cm for larger varieties. When transplanting, keep the root matrix intact to prevent root damage, and water thoroughly after planting.
3 Field Management
(1) Fertilization and Water Management After transplanting, promptly check and replenish seedlings, and keep the soil moist. Seven days after planting, apply a 1% compound fertilizer solution to promote plant growth, and about 10 days before flowering, apply 15kg of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer per 667 square meters. After the first harvest, apply an additional 20kg of ternary compound fertilizer and 10kg of urea per 667 square meters, using hole application, 15-20cm away from the base of the plant to avoid root burn. After each harvest, fertilization is required.
(2) Pruning Chili peppers usually have two-pronged branches. Side branches below the main stem should be removed promptly, while side branches on the main stem should be retained appropriately to facilitate ventilation and light penetration, reduce nutrient consumption, promote flowering and fruiting, and increase the number of fruits. To improve wind and lodging resistance, these ornamental chili peppers should be cultivated with stakes or hanging ropes. Install bamboo stakes before flowering, combined with tillage and earthing up, using two crossed short bamboos to support the main stem for each plant.
(3) Fruit Retention and Thinning When the temperature during flowering is higher than 30°C or lower than 15°C, it can cause poor pollination and affect fruit setting. Tomato spirit liquid or capsaicin can be sprayed on the flowers to promote fruit setting. When there are many fruits, some can be harvested appropriately, especially the mature fruits must be removed to reduce nutrient consumption and avoid affecting plant growth.
(4) Harvesting Ornamental chili peppers are mainly for display, but they can also be eaten. The harvest time should be decided based on individual needs. If for display, harvest the excess and mature peppers to maintain vigorous plant growth and extend the viewing period. If for consumption or processing, harvest at different colors and maturity stages according to your use.
(5) Pest and Disease Control Focus on aphids, thrips, tea yellow mites, viral diseases, blight, and bacterial wilt. Use 5% high-efficiency Da Gong Chen 1500 times to control thrips and aphids, use Ant螨 23 or螨特 800-1000 times to spray control tea yellow mites and other mites, use Plurik 600 times to control blight, use Virus Pass 1000 times to control viral diseases, and use 72% agricultural streptomycin 4000 times to drench for bacterial wilt. Do not use the same medicine for a long time; alternate use to prevent pests and diseases from developing resistance.
The above is the experience and knowledge of the cultivation techniques of ornamental chili peppers (ornamental bell peppers). I hope this article can bring you some help!