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How to Speed Up the Ripening of Bell Peppers: Top Tips for Gardeners
20.06.2024 13:00
Bell pepper, thanks to its bright taste and many useful properties, deservedly takes pride of place in gardens and kitchens.
However, not everyone knows how to achieve fast and high-quality ripening of this vegetable.
Understanding and applying a few key techniques can significantly reduce harvest time and improve harvest quality.
Soil preparation and planting
Proper soil preparation is the basis for rapid ripening of bell peppers. The soil should be light, fertile and well-drained.
It is recommended to add humus or compost to it to improve the structure and nutritional properties.
Pepper prefers slightly acidic or neutral soil, so liming should be carried out if necessary.
Choosing the right variety
One of the most important aspects of rapid ripening of bell peppers is the choice of variety. Early ripening pepper varieties ripen faster than late ripening ones.
Popular early ripening varieties include Zarya, Zolotoy Rog, Lumina and Podarok Moldova.
Not only do they produce crops faster, but they are also less susceptible to disease, which is important for maintaining plant health.
Growing conditions
Optimal conditions for growing bell peppers include proper lighting, temperature and humidity.
Pepper loves light, so it is best to plant it in sunny places.
When there is not enough light, plants stretch out and grow slowly.
Temperature conditions
Air temperature plays a key role in pepper ripening. The ideal temperature range for growth and fruiting is from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius.
At temperatures below 20 degrees, growth slows down, and at temperatures above 35 degrees, plants may shed flowers and fruits.
To maintain optimal temperature, it is recommended to use greenhouses or hotbeds.
Fertilizers and dressings
Bell peppers require regular fertilizing. For rapid ripening, plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
During the period of active growth, nitrogen fertilizers are used, and at the flowering and fruiting stage, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are used.
Fertilization can be done with both organic and mineral fertilizers.
1. Nitrogen fertilization: it is recommended to apply nitrogen fertilizers at the beginning of the growing season. This promotes active growth of leaves and stems.
2. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers: applied during flowering and fruit setting. Phosphorus accelerates the development of the root system, and potassium improves the taste of the fruit.
3. Micronutrients: Micronutrients such as magnesium, boron and manganese should be added to increase plant resistance to diseases and improve fruit quality.
Watering and humidity
Regular watering is the key to rapid ripening of peppers. The soil should be constantly moist, but not waterlogged.
Excess moisture can lead to root rot and the development of fungal diseases.
The optimal watering regime is once every 2-3 days, depending on weather conditions. Mulching is recommended to maintain soil moisture.
Pinching and pruning
Pinching and pruning help to speed up the ripening of fruits.
Removing lateral shoots allows the plant to direct all its energy towards the development of fruits, rather than towards the formation of excess greenery.
Pruning is carried out regularly, removing weak and diseased shoots.
Harvesting
Harvesting also affects the ripening of peppers. Timely harvesting of ripe fruits stimulates the plant to form new ovaries.
Peppers should be picked as they ripen, without waiting until all the fruits have reached their maximum size and color.
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