Everyone who grows peppers in greenhouse conditions dreams of a rich harvest of beautiful and juicy fruits. For this to be true, the peppers need to be cared for properly. One of the most important criteria is proper watering. Therefore, today I want to share the experience of properly hydrating peppers, so that, instead of benefit, it does not harm the culture.
Basic rules for watering in a greenhouse
Pepper is a thermophilic plant that prefers moist soils. A lack of moisture will negatively affect flowering and the future harvest, which is why it is so important not to allow the soil to dry out.
In order not to make mistakes with watering greenhouse peppers, it is important to adhere to the following rules:
- Observe the terms, which will always depend on the climatic characteristics of the growing region. I water the plant in the evening and then ventilate the greenhouse for an hour, if the temperature allows it.
- Correct water, namely its temperature. For irrigation, water is considered optimal if the temperature is not lower than 23 degrees. Cold water can seriously harm plants. To get the right temperature, I usually leave the containers of water to stand in the sun during the day, and by the evening the liquid is suitable for watering.
- Maintain the interval. As soon as the first shoots form on the seedlings, I water it every three days.
Even if you strictly follow all the recommendations, do not forget to systematically assess the condition of the soil, which should not be dry.
Too much fluid is just as bad as not being enough. Overuse of watering can lead to decay of the root system and the development of fungal infections.
Features of watering depending on the period of growth of the pepper
At each stage of its life, a plant has different needs that should be considered:
- At the time of planting seedlings in the greenhouse, future plants do not need to be watered often. Watering can become more frequent if the weather is too hot outside. Under normal conditions, seedlings need watering up to twice a week. At this time, it takes me up to 10 liters of water to plant a square.
- During the flowering period, watering is essential. The frequency is twice a week, while watering should be done exclusively in the root zone.
- By the time the fruits begin to set, heat is set in most regions. Therefore, the plants need watering every two days. One bush takes up to three liters of water.
- By the fruiting period, the frequency of watering should be gradually reduced to once every four days. Plants are best watered in the morning.
Watering techniques
Today, there are several ways of watering, allowing you to choose the most convenient, depending on personal preferences and the nature of your stay on the site:
- Manual is the most common and simple method, but sometimes quite laborious. In the case of a small area of landings, it is quite possible to limit ourselves to them.
- Automatic - implemented by means of a special system with sensors and does not require constant human participation in the process. The method is quite expensive, but the result is worth it.
- Drip drip is one of the most effective for vegetable crops, because with this method, the liquid flows purposefully under the root. It is noteworthy that in this way you can not only moisten the peppers, but also add additional dressing. The system is a collection of pipes with a different number of holes located at a distance of about 15 centimeters from each other.
Why over-watering is bad
Many, considering pepper to be a moisture-loving culture, take everything literally and believe that plants will only benefit from more water. In reality, this is not the case. It is especially dangerous to abuse watering in hot weather. The fact is that due to the impossibility of rapid evaporation of water, a crust forms on the surface of the soil, which prevents proper air exchange. As a result, the root system of the plant dries up and it begins to weaken. In addition, over-watering can provoke many infections, dropping flowers and ovaries.
Therefore, watering is good only in moderation.
Read also: Let's figure out whether it is worth leaving the polycarbonate greenhouse open in winter or not.
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