How to plant chili seedlings properly
This article provides a detailed explanation of how to plant chili seedlings properly and related content about the cultivation of chili seedlings. Let's delve into the following information together.
Chili can also be grown without soil, which has high yields and saves labor and effort. Some farmers say that soilless cultivation has good results but is costly. What cultivation and management skills should farmers master for low-cost chili planting?
1. Plant chili directly in bags
To reduce the cost of planting, chili can be planted in bags, which is a simple and inexpensive cultivation method. Plant one chili plant per bag, with a larger spacing between plants, and a row spacing of 80 centimeters to meet the light requirements. Using planting bags for one mu of land costs over a thousand yuan, which is cheaper than using planting troughs. Then, prepare your own cultivation substrate, choosing a cost-effective and well-ventilated one, such as earthworm dung, well-fermented cow dung, or discarded mushroom stakes, etc. Fill the treated substrate into the planting bags and arrange them in rows.
2. Watering and fertilizing are crucial
Watering and fertilizing chili grown without soil is very important and differs significantly from soil cultivation. Chili roots are weak, intolerant to drought but also afraid of waterlogging. Excessive watering can damage the roots, and high humidity in the greenhouse can exacerbate disease occurrence. Only frequent light watering will not harm the roots. Since the substrate has good breathability, it is necessary to water frequently to maintain humidity at 70-80%, but each watering time is short. For example, when growing chili with cow dung and earthworm dung, water every two days with a small amount of water each time to prevent root rot.
After the chili seedlings recover from transplanting, fertilizers should be used every time water is applied. Chili is not tolerant to fertilizers, and the amount should not be excessive. It is best to fertilize based on the EC value. During the chili growth process, continuously monitor the EC value of the nutrient solution and adjust it to meet the plant's growth needs. For example, if chili requires an EC value of 2 and the measured value is 2.2, add water to adjust. If it is low, add fertilizers, as insufficient nutrients will also affect chili growth.
How to plant chili seedlings properly
3. Strengthen the care of the root system
Chili requires a lot of water and fertilizer for growth, but due to its underdeveloped root system, it absorbs less water and fertilizer, limiting yield. Weak roots can also exacerbate the occurrence of root diseases, such as root rot and stem base rot. Planting chili in bags with limited height can promote the growth of lateral roots and enhance the ability to absorb water and fertilizer. Once the chili roots are damaged, it is difficult for them to recover, so it is important to use root stimulants after transplanting and use seaweed extract to drip-irrigate during the growth period to care for the roots. For example, using seaweed extract during the flowering and fruiting stage of chili can enhance plant growth and prevent early root senescence.
Planting chili in bags has many differences from soil cultivation, and farmers need to master the techniques. Although bag cultivation reduces the initial investment cost and simplifies the planting process, water and fertilizer management and root care are very important. Farmers need to gain experience to succeed in planting.
The above is the complete introduction by [Green Plant Enthusiast Network] about how to plant chili seedlings properly and the cultivation methods of chili seedlings. We hope it can be helpful to you. Don't forget to visit Green Plant Enthusiast Network more often for more experience and knowledge!