The pepper in my area bears fruit well. In addition to the basic agrotechnical techniques for caring, I systematically remove stepchildren, which helps to stimulate the development of plants.
Why do they carry out pinching?
Cutting out excess lateral shoots (pinching) on pepper bushes determines the qualitative development of plants and an improvement in fruiting.
Stepsons are formed on the central stem directly from the axillary buds. Removing them activates the supply of essential nutrients to the plant, and also improves illumination.
When doing pinching, I take into account that this procedure is required for medium and tall varieties of pepper. At the same time, I remove withering, dry processes affected by harmful insects or diseases. As a result, no more than 3-5 stepchildren remain on one bush.
Compact plants (up to 65 cm in height) do not form strong extra shoots. They don’t need to go to sleep. I remove, if necessary, from such plants only thin, weakened, sterile shoots.
Features of the removal of shoots
Pepper stalks are fragile, so I take care when removing them.
A feature of this culture is the formation of the first 2-3 strong lateral shoots after 9-11 leaves are formed on the bushes.
I begin to pinch at a stem height of 25-30 cm. At this stage, I pinch the tops of the stems and cut out the stepsons in the lower tier. At the same time, I remove wilted yellow leaves, branches with damage from insects and traces of diseases, processes without ovaries.
I try not to expose the bush too much, as the pepper slowly recovers after pruning. If a large number of stepchildren are removed at the same time, the plant can slow down its growth. Ovary shedding is sometimes observed.
Carrying out pinching in the greenhouse
When cultivating pepper under a permanent cover, a more intense formation of lateral shoots is observed. This is due to stable heat and high humidity levels.
In order to prevent disruption of air circulation, which provokes the development of rot and fungal infections in the aerial part, I immediately cut off the lower stepsons.
For work, as well as on the ridges, I use a small pruner or a garden knife. I always sharpen the tools, and disinfect the blades when moving to each new plant.
Pepper forming technology
Compliance with the sequence of operations during pinching allows not to weaken the plants, but to activate their development.
I carry out the formation of pepper bushes in stages:
- I cut off the crown bud that has formed on the first branch of the central stem from the surface.
- On mature bushes, after the development of at least 9-11 leaf plates, I leave 2-3 of the strongest stems.
- I remove the leaves that create shadows for the developing ovaries. I cut out the sterile processes. I try to remove 1-2 leaves or shoots at a time. From more injuries, the pepper bush can weaken and even die.
- I pinch the upper kidneys and the crown. I remove small ovaries, leaving no more than 15-25 pieces on one bush. The exact amount depends on the variety.
On the bushes that have passed the main period of formation, I further remove the stepchildren developing in the branches. I leave one sheet on the cut out process. It is necessary to provide food for the pod located in front of the stepson. If the bushes are compact and well ventilated, then only pinching is done in order to regulate the development of excess processes.
On average, I practice cutting out stepchildren and removing leaves at 3-4-day intervals. In a greenhouse, the procedure is practically no different from actions on open beds. But under a polycarbonate shelter, foliage is less likely to be removed due to good lighting.
Plants should be allowed sufficient time to recover from pruning. This is important for high-quality fruiting. Therefore, I practice the last removal of stepchildren about 1.5 months before the planned harvest.
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