Dried chili peppers are one of the most common seasonings in the kitchen, but the ones purchased from the market are often not fresh enough, and their quality is hard to guarantee. However, if you have some dried chili seeds, you can try to grow your own chili peppers using these seeds, whether for seasoning or for admiring their beauty, which is a very interesting thing.
Preparation: Obtain Dried Chili Seeds
If you cook at home, you probably have a lot of dried chili peppers. To get the seeds, you just need to dry the chilies, cut them open, and take out the seeds inside.
Choose the Right Time to Plant
Chili peppers prefer a warm environment. It is best to plant them in spring or summer so they can fully enjoy the warmth of the sun.
Choose the Right Container and Soil
The root system of chili peppers is relatively shallow, so it is suitable to choose a pot or container with a depth of no more than 20 cm. You can choose loose, well-drained sandy soil.
Soak the Dried Chili Seeds
Soak the dried chili seeds in warm water for 10-20 minutes to make them germinate more easily and speed up their growth.
Plant the Dried Chili Seeds in the Soil
Place one dried chili seed in a small hole about 20 cm deep and cover it with soil.
Maintain Proper Humidity
Before the chili seeds germinate, just keep the soil moist. When the seedlings grow to 3-4 cm, you can let the soil dry out a bit.
Pay Attention to Proper Lighting
Chili peppers love a sunny environment. They should be placed outdoors where they can get direct sunlight. If grown indoors, ensure they get enough sunlight as well.
Weed Timely
When the seedlings grow to a certain size, you need to remove weeds in time to avoid affecting the growth of the chili peppers.
Fertilize Appropriately
Chili peppers need adequate nutrients to grow healthily. You can apply organic or chemical fertilizers as appropriate.
Pay Attention to Pest Control
Chili peppers are often attacked by pests like aphids. You can use special insecticides or remove them by hand.
Pruning
Chili plants usually produce multiple branches in the early stages of growth. After the plant shape is formed, you should prune off excess branches in time to ensure orderly growth.
Control the Temperature
If the growing environment is too cold, the chili plants will stop growing. If it's too hot, it may cause the leaves to wither. The temperature needs to be well-controlled.
Harvest Mature Chili Peppers in Time
When the chili peppers are ripe, they should be picked in time to avoid affecting their quality.
Pay Attention to Post-Harvest Handling
The harvested chili peppers can be dried or stored for future use.
The Benefits of a Private Chili Garden
By growing chili peppers from dried seeds, you can create a private chili garden where you can not only enjoy fresh chilies but also admire their beautiful flowers. At the same time, the planting process is also a healthy activity.
By growing chili peppers from dried seeds, you can not only get fresh chilies but also create a private chili garden and enjoy the fun of planting. If you want to try this method, you might as well follow the steps and precautions mentioned above.