When organizing the work on growing seedlings of pepper, I am attentive to the operation of irrigating this rather sensitive and capricious crop. This allows you to get strong seedlings that guarantee abundant fruiting.
Watering before planting
Be sure to moisten the substrate poured into the planting containers on the eve of sowing. It is impossible to pour in water when the grains are already in the ground, since the jets easily wash away the loose substrate, bringing the seeds to the surface.
Easy to use snow. I cover the surface of the substrate with a slightly compacted snow layer 1.5-2 cm thick. When it melts in a warm room, I carry out the sowing. It is important that by this time there is no waterlogging, leading to soil compaction.
Irrigation technology
Pepper belongs to moisture-loving crops. When watering seedlings, I focus on the following rules:
- The amount of moisture introduced depends on the volume of the pot and the age of the seedlings. It's dangerous to flood them. Water must not flow over the rim of the container. I moisten the substrate gradually. When moisture appears through the drainage holes, the process is stopped. It is important that the earthen ball is completely moistened.
- The frequency of irrigation depends on the age of the crops. Until the true leaves form, I water the sprouts every 3 days. Then I practice daily moistening of the substrate. 14-15 days before the planned transfer of seedlings to the ridges, I water twice a week. The main danger for pepper is the drying of the soil. I spend watering in the morning, because at night the pepper moistens the danger, so as not to cause the development of a black leg.
- The quality of the water used plays a role. If I take it from a conventional plumbing system, then I pour it into an enameled container and stand for at least a day so that the chlorine dangerous for plants can evaporate. I keep it at room conditions, so by the time of watering the temperature of the liquid is above + 22 ° C. Cold water can provoke the development of root rot.
- When watering, I pour the liquid onto the soil, protecting the aerial part from moisture in order to exclude the possible occurrence of a fungal infection.
- After wetting, to maintain friability, I lightly powder the soil surface with a dry substrate.
Types of water
I try to select various types of water for irrigation, taking into account their characteristics depending on the place of the fence:
- From wells. If they are deep, then the water is predominantly saturated with salts. Due to the increased rigidity, it can be dangerous for peppers. Before use, I soften such a liquid with ash, which in parallel nourishes the plants with phosphorus and potassium.
- From the plumbing. Of course, I use this liquid more often than other varieties. The danger is chlorine, added for the purpose of disinfection. Helps pre-settling. It is also necessary to reduce the excessive hardness indicator by adding a small amount of ash. Sometimes I dissolve citric acid (3-5 grains / 1 liter of water). I take into account that hot water has less hardness, so I can collect it and then defend it.
- Melt water. This is a useful type of liquid for watering peppers, which helps to activate the development of seedlings. If possible, I collect snow, which I leave at room conditions for 20-24 hours. I also use the method of pre-freezing water in plastic bottles. After 11-12 hours, I drain the unmelted part that has collected harmful impurities. Leave the ice to melt. But I use this technique under the condition of growing a small number of seedlings.
- Rainwater. Usually this liquid is soft. I collect rain moisture in an enameled container. I try not to carry out this procedure if, according to forecasts, an excess of hazardous compounds is observed in the air.
I do not use cooled boiling water, as there is a lack of oxygen in it.
To increase the benefits of irrigation, I introduce various additives into the water. These can be humates used according to the instructions. Sometimes I pour 300 g of steamed leaves of sleeping tea with cool water (5 l). After 5 days, I water the pepper with strained infusion.
Helps improve water quality by aeration, which allows oxygen to saturate the liquid. A good result is demonstrated by a solution of ash (500 ml jar) diluted in 10 liters of water. I filter the infusion after 8-10 hours. Tell us how you organize the procedure for watering pepper seedlings.
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