In the near future, pepper planting for seedlings in 2018 will begin. It is necessary to correctly determine the dates of its holding, provide the necessary care for the seedlings, follow the technology of growing the crop in a permanent place – in open ground or in a greenhouse.
Calendar gardener
When planting seedlings of pepper in 2018.? The growing season of the culture is quite large: from germination to the achievement of technical ripeness of the fruit passes (depending on the variety) from 95 to 145 days. Biological maturity occurs about 10-15 days later. Seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of 60-75 days.
Thus, if you live in the southern region and plan to plant in the open ground in mid-May, then:
- sowing seeds should be carried out in late February and early March: by the age of seedlings add 10 days (average time for seed germination);
- if the plans dive seedlings, then you need to add another 7-10 days for the adaptation period;
- planting in the greenhouse, it is probably supposed at an earlier date, then you need to sow in the middle or even the beginning of February.
Depending on the climatic conditions of the region, the period of getations of selected varieties or hybrids named dates need to be adjusted. It is important to remember that pepper is a thermophilic plant. The seeds of sweet (Bulgarian) and bitter pepper may not germinate at temperatures below 15 ° C. The optimum temperature when planting in open ground should be at least 18 ° C.
In the Moscow Region, for example, such weather is set in the second half of May. For cultivation in open ground, mainly varieties of early and medium ripening are chosen.
Lunar sowing calendar
In addition to the calculation based on the growing season, you can focus on folk signs.
If earlier this opinion was considered superstition, now there is a scientific explanation for the influence of the moon:
- on the full moon, the day before and after it does not land;
- on the new moon and a few days after it, the “tips” of the crop are planted, which are grown to produce fruits in the aerial parts;
- the waning moon is the time for planting (sowing) root crops, because these days, the outflow of accumulated nutrients occurs to the roots.
Also pay attention to the presence of the moon in a particular zodiac sign. All signs are divided into fertile, conditionally fertile, barren, etc. The most fertile is Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio, Taurus. Barren are considered Leo, Virgo, Aquarius.
Sowing according to the Lunar calendar
Consider when pepper is planted for seedlings in 2018 according to the lunar calendar. Let’s start with the days that are defined as adverse (phases of the new moon and full moon, when it is undesirable to sow and plant plants):
- in January – 1-3, 16-18, 30 and 31;
- in February – 14-16;
- in March – 1-3, 16-18, 30 and 31;
- in April – 15-16, 29 and 30.
Planting pepper for seedlings in January 2018 was recommended on the most favorable days of the month – 24-25. These days, the growing moon is in one of the most fertile signs of the zodiac – in the sign of Taurus.
Planting pepper for seedlings in February 2018 will give the best result if you choose the 26th number for this. On this day, the growing moon is in the sign of Taurus. Astrologers consider it the most fertile day of the month. You can sow seeds for seedlings on February 6-7, February 11-12. The moon is waning these days, but being in the sign of Scorpio and Capricorn gives hope for a good germination and rapid development of the horse system of seedlings.
In March 2018, it is advisable to plant pepper on seedlings from 5 to 7 (the Moon is waning, but in Scorpio), 20-21, 24-25 (the growing moon in Taurus, later in Cancer). In April, sowing seeds for seedlings is best on the 17th, 20th and 22nd, when the night star is in the growth phase in the fertile signs of the zodiac. days when it is desirable to carry out certain works. For example, from 20.30 on March 5 to 04.40 on March 7.
Features of growing seedlings
Preparation of seeds and containers
Seeds are needed select zoned, i.e. most suitable for the climatic conditions of a particular region. It is believed that the best yield can be obtained from seed 2 years after harvest. For better germination, the seeds are prepared for planting in this way:
- for disinfection, they are treated in a 1% potassium permanganate solution (20 min.);
- for pitting, place in water (a wet towel) for 2-3 days;
- use special preparations (Epin, Vympel, etc.) or home remedies (for example, to stimulate growth) , aloe juice);
To saturate the seeds with the necessary nutrients, wood ash is added to the water for germination. Such work is not recommended when the night luminary is in “sterile” signs. In February it is 14-15, 27-28 numbers (in the signs of Leo and Aquarius), in March -1-2, 13-14, 26-29, in April – 9-10, 23-26.
Containers for growing seedlings must be opaque, made of a material with low heat transfer. It is better if the walls of the tray are dense, wrinkled so as not to damage the root system of young bushes when rearranging.
Sowing
Peppers love fertile, loose, well-aerated soil. The composition is suitable soddy ground in half with humus with the addition of sand. Before planting the seed, the soil is, for prophylactic purposes, calcined or steamed in a water bath. The soil layer should be no more than 15 cm. Before sowing, the soil is watered with warm water.
Sow grain to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. The distance between holes in a row is 4 cm, between rows – 6 cm (if you plan to pick – it is possible less). Planting in peat cups gives a good result. The container is covered with a film or glass and placed in a warm place (25-27 ° C) for germination.
Seedling Care
Shoots will appear in 7-10 days. Peppers love moisture, do not tolerate drying of the soil. Watering should be moderate to maintain soil moisture, but do not let the water stagnate or rot.
Seedlings need plenty of sunlight. Therefore, the trays are placed on the southern windows, balconies, or illuminated by fluorescent lamps for 14-16 hours a day. Daytime temperature is maintained at 20-22 ° C, nighttime – 16-18 ° C.
Dive is carried out 2-3 weeks after germination, when the plant forms a pair of real leaves. The bush needs to be planted in a container that will provide a feeding area of 10×10 cm, and buried in the soil to cotyledon leaves. Pots with dive plants shade during the adaptation period to protect them from direct sunlight.
Seedlings are fed every 10 days with complex mineral fertilizers, alternating with organic ones. The first time is after the formation of the first two true leaves.
Planting seedlings
When 6 real leaves are formed on the bushes, they begin to prepare for planting for a permanent place – in open ground or in a greenhouse. For this, hardening is carried out: pots with plants are carried out to the street. Choose a place protected from drafts. The first time – for an hour, time is gradually increasing.In the last days before landing, you can leave it in the fresh air all night.
The most favorable time for landing on a permanent place in May is 18-19, when the growing moon is in the sign of Cancer. If it is not possible to land in these numbers, it is recommended that you select any others when the moon is in a fertile sign, avoid only the new moon and the nearest days 14-16.
The optimal placement density is 40×60 cm. Depending on the size of the bush, the distance can be reduced or increased. A hole 6-8 cm deep is well poured with water. A seedling is placed in the resulting earthen gruel together with a lump of earth, it can be buried to the first true leaf. To preserve moisture, the bed is mulched with straw, sawdust. For several days, sweet pepper is not watered, it gives an opportunity to take root.
Conclusion
To get a good harvest in the 2018 season, it is important to know when to plant the seeds and transplant the seedlings in the garden. Each will draw up a calendar based on their own knowledge, experience, preferences and capabilities.
Since proper care of plants is important to obtain the result, the calendar should include watering, cultivating, fertilizing, and preventive measures against damage from diseases and pests.
