How to cultivate Zhitianjiao peppers
Let me tell you about the cultivation of Zhitianjiao peppers and the related experience of pepper cultivation techniques and management methods for flowering plants. Next, I will share the detailed content.
Zhitianjiao belongs to the Solanaceae pepper genus, and it is called Zhitianjiao or朝天椒 (朝天椒) because its fruits grow upwards. The capsaicin content in Zhitianjiao is the highest among pepper crops, with a strong spicy taste that can increase appetite, refresh the mind, and boost spirits. It is a seasoning loved by people all over the world. Now let's get to know its botanical characteristics.
The main root of Zhitianjiao develops vigorously, and it can penetrate 40-50 cm into deep and loose soil, some even reaching 80 cm. Most of the lateral roots are distributed in the topsoil layer, with the most lateral roots branching out at 10-25 cm underground. Seedling cultivation can promote the branching and growth of lateral roots.
The stem of Zhitianjiao grows upright, with the first branching height of 30-35 cm, varying significantly between different varieties. In the early growth stage, the stems have a low degree of lignification and are flexible. After the plant matures, the lignification degree increases, becoming harder. The upper part of the stem is semi-lignified and hollow, while the lower part is fully lignified and relatively hard, especially when cultivated as a perennial crop, the plant becomes a small shrub. The branching of Zhitianjiao stems is generally false-dichotomous, but some varieties may also have a small number of three or four-way branches. Generally, when the main stem grows to 15-12 nodes, the terminal bud differentiates into a flower bud, forming the first flower.
The leaves are single, without stipules, and are ovate or oblong.
The flowers can be single or grow in groups of 2-3, and sometimes in clusters of 4-16, dividing Zhitianjiao into two main types: scattered and clustered. The flowers are perfect flowers, mainly self-pollinated, but they are also cross-pollinated crops, with a cross-pollination rate of 25%-45%.
The fruit is a berry, but with little juice, thin skin, and easily dried. Inside the fruit, a cavity is formed, filled with air. After the fruit ripens and dries, the seeds and placenta can easily separate.
The seeds are flat, kidney-shaped, light yellow, yellow, or golden yellow. Generally, the weight of a thousand seeds is 5-6g. The seed viability is 3-4 years.
The detailed introduction of how to cultivate Zhitianjiao peppers and the cultivation techniques and management methods for pepper cultivation provided above is hoped to bring some knowledge of flowering plants to green plant enthusiasts.