Methods and Techniques for Growing Chili Peppers
Want to harvest fresh and plump chili peppers on your balcony or garden? As a warm-loving crop, chili pepper cultivation requires mastering key timing and cultivation skills. This article systematically sorts out the complete process from seed selection and seedling raising to harvesting, especially optimizing the operation steps for home planting scenarios to help you easily achieve the freedom of chili peppers.
I. Key Techniques for Seed Selection and Seedling Raising
1.1 Seed Pretreatment
Select disease-resistant varieties such as pointed chili and linear chili, soak in 55°C warm water for 15 minutes to sterilize, then disinfect with potassium permanganate solution and soak in clear water for 8 hours, place in damp gauze to germinate for 2-3 days, and sow when 70% of the seeds show white.
1.2 Sowing Operation
Use the seedling tray method, with the substrate mixed in a ratio of peat soil:perlite = 3:1, sow 2 seeds per hole, cover with 0.5cm of soil and spray to keep moist. Maintain a daytime temperature of 25-28°C/nighttime temperature of 18-20°C, and the seedlings will emerge in 5-7 days.
II. Soil and Environmental Management
2.1 Cultivation Substrate Preparation
The planting soil needs to meet: pH 6.2-7.2, EC value ≤1.2mS/cm, and organic matter content ≥15%. Recommended formula: field soil 40% + decomposed cow manure 30% + coconut bran 20% + perlite 10%, add 2kg of bone meal per cubic meter as a base fertilizer.
2.2 Light and Temperature Control
Chili peppers are light-loving crops, requiring 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, and the nighttime temperature during the fruiting period should be >15°C. In the northern regions, a double insulation with plastic mulch and a small arch shed can be used, while in the southern rainy season, a rainproof shed needs to be built.
III. Planting and Field Management
3.1 Scientific Transplanting
When the seedlings have 6-8 true leaves, choose to transplant on consecutive sunny mornings. Row spacing of 50cm × plant spacing of 40cm, water thoroughly after planting. Maintain soil moisture at 70% during the slow seedling period, and apply 0.3% urea after 7 days to promote seedling growth.
3.2 Flower and Fruit Care
Apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (N-P-K=10-20-20) at the initial flowering stage, and spray 0.2% boron fertilizer on the leaves weekly. Use a triangular bamboo stake支架 to stabilize the plants, timely remove the side branches below the door pepper, and retain 12-15 strong fruits per plant.
By precisely controlling the seedling raising temperature, scientifically proportioning the cultivation substrate, and reasonably adjusting the plant, it is possible to achieve a yield of 1500-2000 kg of fresh chili peppers per mu in home planting. It is recommended to plant green manure crops during the fallow period after each harvest to continuously improve the soil microecology and ensure the sustainable development of chili pepper cultivation.