Although peppers are one of the most popular crops, growing them is often difficult.
Some people lack experience, but many simply forget the basic rules of care, which leads to oppression, illness, and sometimes even death of the young plant. But it is easy to correct mistakes, you just need to remember the basic rules for growing seedlings.
Rule number one: the right soil
The soil for seedlings should be very light, allowing moisture and air to pass through well.
The best option is peat and sand.
Rule number two: no additional feeding
For sowing, the most lean soil mixture is used. It will have enough nutrition for the first weeks of the seedlings' life, since the seed contains a huge potential for growth.
Fungal diseases will develop in soil rich in organic matter, and mineral fertilizers will burn young roots.
Rule three: no ash
Ash is one of the best natural fertilizers. But it has an aggressive alkaline reaction, which damages the delicate roots of peppers. Of course, the plant is unlikely to die if you apply a small dose, but it will develop worse.
Rule number four: do not allow over-watering
Water is the best friend and the worst enemy of plants. When there is too much of it, the roots rot, the plant does not receive enough nutrition, its growth slows down, and sometimes it dies. If you are not sure whether it is time to water the plant, it is better to wait a day or two.
Rule number five: use transshipment
Peppers don't like picking, so many people keep them in one container for the entire seedling period. This is a bad decision for two reasons. First, you need a large glass right away, but when the plant has just sprouted, it cannot master the entire soil lump.
Water accumulates in it, souring occurs, and fungal diseases develop.
Secondly, the soil ball will quickly become depleted, so you will have to resort to additional feeding. This is not very good, especially in the early stages, since even special fertilizers can harm a fragile plant.
The best way out is transshipment. First take small cups, then medium ones, and then even larger ones. Disposable cups with a capacity of 100 ml, 250 ml and 500 ml are good for this purpose. The root system is not damaged during transshipment and the peppers tolerate it well.
Rule number six: increase the nutritional value of the soil
The seeds should be sown in the poorest possible soil, but during subsequent replantings, vermicompost or well-ripened compost should be added to it (10% of the total volume of the soil mixture).
In this case, the seedlings will have enough nutrition. If necessary, they can be fed on the leaves.
By following these rules, even novice gardeners will be able to get strong, healthy pepper seedlings.
