Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Bell Peppers
In the current trend of urban life where growing fruits and vegetables on balconies is becoming fashionable, bell peppers are highly favored for their bright color and culinary value. However, many growers often encounter problems such as excessive growth of plants, falling flowers, and fruit drop, which are fundamentally due to the lack of mastery of the techniques for temperature regulation and growth control of the three core elements.
Precise Control of Bell Pepper Growing Environment
Temperature Gradient Management Plan
Bell peppers are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. During the seedling stage, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 18-22°C to promote root development. Keeping the temperature at 25-28°C during the day and 16-18°C at night in the initial flowering stage can effectively prevent the degradation of flower buds. When the temperature exceeds 32°C in summer, it is recommended to use shade nets combined with misting in the morning and evening to lower the temperature and avoid high temperatures that can cause pollen inactivation.
Golden Rule of Water Supply
Adopt the 'Three Observations' watering method: observe the leaf color (water when leaves are slightly wilted), observe the potting soil (water when the top 2 cm is dry), and observe the weather (water every three consecutive sunny days). Especially during the fruit expansion stage, maintaining soil moisture at 60%-70% can increase fruit weight by 30%, and controlling water five days before harvest can increase the capsaicin content.
Key Points of Nutritional Management
Phased Fertilization Strategy
At the time of planting, incorporate decomposed sheep manure as a base fertilizer, and apply additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers during the budding stage to promote flower bud differentiation. During the fruiting stage, follow the principle of 'frequent application of light fertilizers', and supplement calcium water-soluble fertilizers every 10 days to prevent the occurrence of blossom-end rot. Pay special attention to the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used; if the leaves are too green, stop using nitrogen and supplement potassium immediately.
Light Control Techniques
During the seedling stage, the plants should be exposed to diffused light for 4 hours a day, and during the flowering and fruit-setting stage, this should be extended to 6 hours of direct light. Using silver reflective films can increase the light absorption rate of the lower leaves, causing the fruiting layer to move down by 15 cm. In the summer, at noon, use a 50% shade net to protect against sunscald.
Comprehensive Pest and Disease Control System
Biological Control Priority Principle
Hang yellow sticky traps to control aphids, arranging them at a density of 30 pieces per mu. During the peak period of cotton bollworm, release Trichogramma ostriniae, with an interval of 7 days and a release rate of 500 heads per mu. Immediately use a 500-fold solution of Bacillus subtilis to drench the roots of affected plants to prevent the spread of soil-borne diseases.
Physical Isolation Measures
Before the rainy season, set up rain shelters to reduce the incidence of (T-J) disease. Using silver-gray mulch can not only repel thrips but also increase soil temperature by 2-3°C. Regularly pruning the lower leaves to maintain ventilation and light between plants can reduce the incidence of diseases by 40%.
By precisely controlling day-night temperature differences, scientifically proportioning nutritional elements, and establishing a three-dimensional pest and disease control defense line, home growers can achieve a continuous harvest of bell peppers for 120 days. It is recommended to use an EC value tester monthly to monitor soil conditions and adjust management plans flexibly according to the plant growth, allowing balcony-grown bell peppers to be both ornamental and bountiful.