A proven way: How to grow pepper seedlings without too much fuss

Pepper is a popular vegetable crop that can seem challenging to grow, especially for beginners. One of the key stages of this process is picking - transplanting young seedlings from one container to another.

This procedure can be risky for plants, as it damages the root system and can lead to stress, which negatively affects their further development, writes prostoway.

Advantages of growing seedlings without picking:

• Reducing the risk of injury to the root system.
• Prevention of stress in seedlings.
• Acceleration of plant growth and development.
• Reducing the labor intensity of the process.

Choosing a variety:

The first step to successfully growing pepper seedlings without picking them is to choose the right variety. Early and super-early varieties with a short growing season that do not require much space for development are best. Some popular varieties:

• "Grand " - a sweet pepper with thick walls, early, resistant to disease.
• 'Sunflower ' is a sweet pepper with large fruits, early, high-yielding.
• 'Parma ' is a sweet pepper with cubic fruits, early, transportable.
• 'Cornet ' is a hot pepper with conical fruits, early, aromatic.

Soil and container preparation:

To grow seedlings without picking, you need high-quality soil with a good drainage system and a high nutrient content. You can use ready-made soil mixtures or prepare the soil yourself by mixing turf, leafy soil, and humus in equal proportions.

Seedling containers should be deep (at least 10 cm) and have a volume of at least 0.5 liters per plant. They can be:

• Cellular stands - a convenient and practical option that saves space.
• Individual pots - make it possible to transplant plants without harming the root system.
• Egg containers are an original and economical option that is suitable for a small number of seedlings.

It is recommended to wash and disinfect the containers thoroughly before using them.

Sowing the seeds:

• Dates: Sowing pepper seeds for seedlings without picking is recommended in late February - early March.
• Seed preparation: Soak the seeds in a warm solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes, then rinse and dry.
• Sowing: Fill the containers with soil, make grooves 1 cm deep, and spread the seeds at intervals of 2-3 cm. Lightly sprinkle the seeds with soil and moisten them with a spray bottle.
• Germination conditions: Cover the containers with foil or glass and place in a warm place with a temperature of +25-28°C.

Seedling care:

• Light: After emergence, provide the seedlings with maximum lighting.
• Temperature: The optimum temperature for seedling growth is +22-25°C during the day and +18-20°C at night.
• Watering: Regularly water the seedlings with warm, settled water, preventing the soil from drying out.
• Fertilizing: Make 2-3 fertilizations with soluble complex fertilizers during the growing season.

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