How to feed peppers after planting in open ground and greenhouse

The time has come to plant pepper seedlings in a permanent place in a greenhouse or open ground.
Transplantation is always stressful for a plant, so it is better not to disturb the seedlings for a while. But then the summer residents are faced with the question: “How to feed the pepper after transplanting? What fertilizer does it need? We decided to devote our today's article to this problem. Dear readers! For you, we have created communities on social networks in which useful articles and interesting ideas are published several times a day! Subscribe and receive useful content in a convenient format!

What microelements do peppers need?

Like any other plant, pepper needs many micro- and macroelements for growth, development and fruiting. Among them are iodine, molybdenum, iron, zinc. But the 4 most important components for healthy pepper growth are nitrogen, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. It is these elements that are responsible for the growth and development of the aboveground part of the plant and the formation of the root system, as well as for the setting and ripening of fruits.

However, this does not mean that when fertilizing, it is necessary to concentrate only on nitrogen, calcium, potassium and phosphorus, ignoring other microelements. Healthy plant development is possible only with a balanced diet.

Feeding during budding and fruit growth

Plants at this time need to be fed once a week. It is necessary to give formulations containing potassium more often. It is good to use banana peel and nettle tincture.

During the formation of inflorescences, peppers require good nutrition. For lovers of organic farming, it is good to use this mixture:

• A kilogram of manure;
• 0.5 kg of bird droppings;
• 10 liters of water;
• 2 tablespoons of superphosphate.

All components must be mixed, filled with water and allowed to brew for 5 days. You can replace superphosphate with monophosphate in the same proportion. The prepared solution must be added when watering: pour 1 liter of solution into a bucket of water.

Attention! You cannot constantly feed peppers with the same fertilizers. It is advisable to alternate different compositions for good results.

In addition, during the appearance of inflorescences, it is necessary to use fertilizers containing phosphorus and nitrogen. They accelerate the formation of fruits and give more strength to plants to form a harvest. You can give plants calcium using calcium nitrate. To do this, you need to prepare a 0.2% fertilizer solution. This feeding of peppers after planting will further inhibit the spread of blossom end rot.

To increase pepper yield, you need to help insects pollinate the plants. They are attracted to the beds using the simplest method. Plants are sprayed with a solution composed of the following components:

• 100 g sugar;
• 2 g boric acid;
• 1 liter of water.

How to tell what a pepper is missing by its appearance

The deficiency of elements is determined by the appearance of the seedling. A healthy plant is erect with erect shoots and elastic green leaves. The leaf plates are not deformed. All vegetative processes occur on time.

Changes in appearance indicate problems in nutritional balance. Pale coloration of leaf blades indicates nitrogen deficiency. If the lower part of the leaf turns purple, it means the pepper lacks phosphorus. Curling and drying of the leaf blades indicates a clear lack of potassium in the pepper diet.

What nutrients are needed for bell peppers?

Since pepper is a demanding vegetable, a lack or excess of vitamins and microelements affects the quality of the fruit and the appearance of the bush, so finding out what the seedlings need is not difficult:

• lack of nitrogen will be expressed in the fading of pepper leaves with further yellowing and rare flowers;
• calcium deficiency leads to curling of greens and the appearance of yellow specks;
• lack of phosphorus gives pepper leaves a reddish or bluish tint;
• an excess of calcium is indicated by small fruits and fallen leaves, which will help correct nitrogen;
• The need for potassium is expressed in wrinkled, pale leaves.

In order not to bring the pepper bush to a painful state, you need to feed the plant in a timely manner:

• potassium is given throughout the entire fruiting period,
• nitrogen is needed until flowering,
• Phosphorus is required before the first pepper is formed.

What to put in the hole when planting peppers

There is one trick. When planting pepper seedlings, you can put fertilizer in the planting hole. The most effective is wood ash. 100 grams of the drug are mixed with soil and seedlings are planted. But other means can also be used. For example, azofoska, superphosphate, chicken manure, compost, etc.

You can also put lime or dolomite flour in the hole if you need to deoxidize the soil.

IMPORTANT NOTICE. Be sure to add a small (1 cm) layer of soil between the product placed at the bottom of the planting hole and the root of the pepper.

Specialized fertilizers for peppers

You can purchase ready-made complex fertilizers for peppers (as well as for tomatoes and eggplants). They contain all macro- and microelements. Such drugs are diluted according to the instructions:

• " Fertilizer for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants " from Agricola.
• “ Baby. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants " from "Fasco".
• “ Tomato, eggplant, pepper ” from Gumi-Omi.
• «Fertilizer for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants" from "Hera".

Thus, knowing what, when and how to fertilize peppers in a greenhouse and open ground, you can grow a rich harvest of juicy peppers.

Watch the video! Feeding peppers

What fertilizers do peppers need when planting in the ground and greenhouse?

You can feed seedlings in two ways: root (liquid and dry fertilizers) and foliar (spraying with liquid compounds). Let's look at each type of fertilizer in more detail.

Root

Root feeding is carried out with liquid formulations. The water for diluting the solution must be settled and warmed up to ambient temperature. Before fertilizing, the soil must be watered so that the fertilizer is better absorbed. Also, watering is carried out exclusively at the root, so as not to burn the leaves. After applying fertilizer, it is advisable to mulch the beds to conserve moisture. When preparing a liquid solution of mineral fertilizer, you must first dissolve the product in a small amount of hot water, and then bring the volume to the working volume.

Non-root

Spraying is carried out mainly when there is a deficiency of any microelement or, if necessary, to add a growth stimulant.

Spraying is carried out in the morning or on a cloudy day, using weakly concentrated mixtures so as not to cause chemical burns. When spraying compounds in a greenhouse, it is very important to protect the respiratory system. It is also necessary to keep the door to the greenhouse open.

Seedling care

Planting pepper seedlings in a permanent place begins in the last ten days of May. At this time, at least 10 leaves should form on the seedlings, and sometimes there may be 1-2 flowers. At first, it is advisable to make a shelter for the plants, especially in cold weather. It’s easy to make from scrap materials. For example, you can install wooden or metal arches. Then cover them on top with polyethylene.

Before planting pepper seedlings, you need to prepare the bed. Good compost and nitroammophoska are added to the soil. After that, planting holes are prepared, they are placed every 30 cm in a row and row spacing is made 60 cm wide. The prepared holes are well watered, and seedlings are planted in the resulting mud. The soil around the seedlings is slightly compacted.

Important! After planting the seedlings, it is advisable to mulch the soil in the garden bed. This way you will save heat and prevent moisture evaporation.

The seedlings are fed for the first time 2 weeks after transplanting to a permanent place. At this time, you can use mullein solution to feed the pepper. In the last ten days of June, plants bloom en masse and shoot growth is activated. During this period, feeding is very important for peppers. You can use wood ash, make an infusion from it (pour hot water over the ash and leave for 3 days, then drain the liquid) and water the bushes or sprinkle the soil near the pepper. After 3 weeks, the plants need to be fed with mineral compounds that contain calcium and potassium. When the ovaries are formed, underdeveloped and excess fruits are removed. This will allow the remaining peppers to grow faster and larger.

In general, after planting in a permanent place, caring for peppers consists of:

• Pepper seedlings require regular and abundant watering;
• Plants should not overheat under the hot rays of the sun;
• The soil near the plants must be loosened regularly, especially after rains and waterings, so that air and moisture freely penetrate to the horse system of the seedlings;
• Fertilizers must contain the required amount of potassium and calcium, this will increase the resistance of seedlings to most diseases;
• To preserve moisture, the row spacing in the garden bed needs to be mulched;
• Peppers cannot be planted in one place for several years in a row.

Folk feeding immediately after planting

For lovers of organic farming, we have put together a selection of effective folk remedies that can be used to nourish peppers.

Yeast

Yeast has a great advantage over other drugs. They have a beneficial effect on the soil under plants. Yeast fungi process organic matter, which releases beneficial microelements.

First, a mother solution is prepared. A packet of dry yeast is diluted in half a bucket of warm water and 4 tablespoons of sugar are added. The mixture is allowed to ferment and used the next day, mixing 1 to 5 with clean water.

ON A NOTE . The yeast solution is not stored, so it must be used immediately.

Green manure

The product is prepared from finely chopped weeds, but it is better to use young nettles. Collect and finely chop the nettles so that it fills 20% of the bucket. Add water and leave for 5 days. Next, mix with clean water 1 to 10 and water the peppers. This fertilizer provides plants with nitrogen.

Iodine water with serum

To prevent peppers from getting sick, they are treated with a mixture of iodine and whey. For 10 liters of water you need 1 liter of whey and 10 drops of iodine. Mix everything thoroughly and treat the plants.

Banana peel

Collect banana skins, dry them and chop them finely. Then pour 1 liter of warm water and leave for 3 days. The resulting product is diluted with water and watered over peppers to increase productivity.

Boric acid

Helps with falling ovaries and shedding of flowers. Fertilizer is applied by foliar application. To prepare the solution, a teaspoon of boric acid is dissolved in a bucket of water.

Onion peel

This folk remedy can be added to the hole when planting, or can be used as a liquid fertilizer. The husk is boiled for 10 minutes. Then the infusion is cooled, diluted in a bucket of water and used for irrigation.

Ammonia

A solution of ammonia is used for root and foliar feeding of pepper. 3 tablespoons of ammonia are dissolved in a bucket of water and treated. Please note that ammonia is a source of nitrogen, so it cannot be combined with other nitrogen fertilizers.

How to feed peppers in open ground

Bell peppers in open ground always respond positively to fertilization. Regardless of whether it is organic or mineral compounds. Such products improve the yield, quality and taste of vegetables.

Organic fertilizers

You can prepare them yourself using livestock waste products, stems and leaves of herbs, as well as food waste. When working with organics, you don’t have to worry about overdosing. However, there are also some peculiarities here. Such fertilizers are not very rich in active ingredients. It is advisable to introduce them into open ground along with purchased drugs.

Natural fertilizers include:

1. Mullein. Record holder for potassium and calcium content. It also contains various organic compounds that have a beneficial effect on the growth and development of peppers. Mullein is 78% water. This allows you to keep the soil moist longer after watering. Thanks to the rich composition of mullein, the composition of the soil can be significantly improved. Prepare fertilizer in a large container. For open ground, use part cow dung to 5 parts water. After about a week, the finished infusion is diluted: 10 liters of water per ½ liter. The solution is heated to + 35 °C and the bushes are watered. The standard proportion for preparing liquid fertilizer is 1 part mullein per 10 liters of water.
2. Peat. Makes the soil softer and more porous, like a sponge. This allows moisture and oxygen to freely penetrate to the roots of the peppers. Peat also has an antiseptic effect and prevents nutrients from being washed out of the soil. Simply scattering pieces of peat around the area is useless. To prepare a truly effective fertilizer, you need to mix peat with garden soil and humus. For open ground, all components are taken in equal quantities. Superphosphate and wood ash are added to them. It is useful to combine peat with river sand and soil. Superphosphate with urea and potassium sulfate is usually used as impregnation.
3. Chicken droppings. The fresh product is much more nutritious than mullein or horse manure. It contains nitrogen-free substances, a lot of proteins and fiber. The manure is placed in the compost pit in layers, alternating it with other components. Peat every 5 cm, plant remains - 20 cm and soil - 10 cm. Ready-made fertilizer is applied at the rate of 3 to 6 kg/m2 of soil. You can also prepare an infusion from dry droppings. To do this, 500-700 g of raw material is poured into 10 liters of water and left in a tightly closed barrel for several days. The mixture is thoroughly mixed periodically. Before feeding the pepper, the fertilizer is diluted again and approximately 0.5 liters are poured under one bush.

For open ground, you can purchase ready-made organic compounds. The most popular are: “Ideal” and “Kornesil”. The “Ideal” preparation contains vermicompost, a waste product of worms. It makes the soil looser and lighter. Roots and fruits develop better, plants are more resistant to diseases and produce high yields. “Ideal” refers to alkaline fertilizers, so before using it in open ground it is necessary to check the acidity level of the soil.

"Kornesil" is a mixture of sodium humates and trace elements. Strengthens the roots, helps plants tolerate transplantation calmly, and saturates them with essential vitamins.

Mineral fertilizers

This is a group of chemicals that are produced in the form of ready-made complexes. When producing them, the individual characteristics of each vegetable crop are taken into account. When choosing mineral compositions for open ground, you need to take into account the climatic features of the location and the composition of the soil. Otherwise, an imbalance of elements occurs and the plant dies.

The most common mineral compositions for open ground:

1. Urea. It is also called urea. A fairly concentrated nitrogen-containing preparation (at least 46%). The granules quickly dissolve in water and are easily absorbed by plants. With foliar feeding, this happens within two days. Urea is added to open ground strictly according to the instructions, otherwise volatile ammonia will form, which will destroy the peppers.
2. Potassium sulfate. Stimulates abundant flowering and ovary formation of peppers. The fertilizer works best in areas with a lack of potassium: peat and soddy-podzolic soils. Apply it under the roots or spray the leaves. The dosage must be strictly observed, since the drug contains chlorine. There is also potassium/magnesium sulfate, which contains two components at once. Potassium accounts for up to 30%, magnesium – about 18%. In open ground, the drug stimulates the accumulation of chlorophyll and makes the pulp juicy and fleshy.
3. Superphosphate. Can be simple or double. Both types can be used in areas with any type of soil. The advantage of the fertilizer is the rapid absorption of the necessary phosphorus. Thanks to this drug, the metabolism of peppers improves, the root system actively develops, and the plants are protected from diseases and pests. Available in powder or granular form.
4. Ammonium nitrate. Also known as ammonium nitrate. It contains less nitrogen, so it acts more gently than other drugs. In open ground, it is best to apply this fertilizer late in the ripening period of vegetables. When storing ammonium nitrate, you must follow safety rules. The maximum shelf life is six months from the date of manufacture.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies have always been considered one of the most effective fertilizers for growing peppers in open ground. Such substances are found in every home.

Most often used to feed peppers:

1. Yeast. Accelerate the growth of bushes and help fight fungal infections. You can prepare the solution as follows: 100 g of yeast + 150 g of sugar per 5 liters of water. Cover tightly and let stand in the sun. When obvious signs of fermentation appear, ¼ of the liquid is drained, combined with a bucket of water and watered over the peppers.
2. Eggshell. A couple of pieces are enough. The raw materials need to be ground into a fine powder and covered with 2.5 liters of cold water. Now the container will be kept in a dark and cold place for three days. You need to stir the powder regularly (3-4 times a day). Then the infusion is passed through cheesecloth. A glass of ready-made fertilizer is mixed with 3 liters of water and watered over the pepper in the open ground.
3. Iodine. Disinfects the soil, preventing the formation of mold, and also improves immunity. It is necessary to draw 10 ml of the substance into a syringe and inject it into a 10-liter container of water. Mix everything thoroughly and start feeding. Additionally, you can add fresh milk or whey to the solution.
4. Ash. An excellent source of phosphorus and potassium. For every 200 g of raw material, 10 liters of water are used. The ash is infused for 7 days. After this, it is filtered. It is worth considering that ash destroys nitrogen. It is not recommended to apply it into open ground together with complexes that contain this substance.
5. Onion peel. Has a beneficial effect on soil fertility. The peel needs to be boiled for about half an hour. Pass the cooled liquid through several layers of gauze or bandage and let it brew. This fertilizing will accelerate the growth of bushes in open ground and reliably protect against pest invasion.
6. Coffee grounds. The product is simply mixed with the top layer of soil in the garden bed. It helps make the soil looser and more nutritious. After this procedure, the roots will breathe easier, and the plant in open ground will grow and develop better.
7. Herbs. Coltsfoot, dandelions, nettle, plantain and woodlice are suitable for preparing the tincture. The stems and leaves are crushed with a sharp blade. The prepared raw materials are transferred to a deep container and filled with water (it is not recommended to use hot liquid). After a week, the fertilizer can be used. Fertilizing peppers in the open ground with nettle tincture is carried out at the rate of 1 liter per bush.

Application of organic fertilizers for peppers immediately after planting

Traditionally, organic products are used to feed peppers. Let's look at the most popular fertilizers in this category.

Wood ash

One of the most effective and underrated fertilizers. Wood ash not only saturates peppers with potassium and other microelements, but also makes the soil more neutral in acidity. In dry form, ash can be used to repel pests.

Chicken droppings

Chicken manure can now be purchased in granular form at hardware stores. Its advantage over mullein is that the droppings infuse faster and are ready for use. The concentrate is prepared from a kilogram of litter and 1.5 buckets of water. You need to insist for a week. When watering, be sure to dilute with clean, settled water.

Compost

Compost can be used when planting, placing it at the bottom of the hole. The consumption rate is 5 kg per square meter of beds for peppers.

Manure

It is used for the same purposes and in the same volumes as compost. It is very important that the manure be rotten, as fresh manure is toxic to peppers.

Composition of fertilizer for peppers

• urea , a source of nitrogen, is used when plant development is slowed down, by foliar feeding, preferably with moist soil, the effect will be great;
• potassium - when used, the content of sugar and vitamins in fruits increases, taste qualities are added during autumn soil preparation and directly during planting;
• phosphorus - necessary for the root system, plant immunity, used in dry form when digging in the fall or when planting.

Traditional methods of feeding peppers after planting in the ground:

Almost all experienced gardeners try to avoid chemicals whenever possible. Naturalness is encouraged in everything. Let's list some of the popular ones:

• egg shells - has long become famous among amateurs, contains a useful composition of microelements necessary for peppers, use the prepared solution - dry the shells, grind them to dust, add water and leave for up to 4 days (3 liters of water + shells of 4 eggs), the infusion is ready is determined by a change in the color of the liquid and an unpleasant odor from the container. Dilute in proportion with water, 1:3, foliar feeding;
• iodine + milk (4 liters of water + 15 drops of iodine + liter of milk) - feed the pepper with this mixture in a foliar way immediately after transplanting into the ground. Pests and diseases recede with this aromatization of seedlings;
• whey is very rich in microelements, promotes the healthy development of plants, protects against diseases of fungal origin. The solution is in proportion, a liter of whey per bucket of water;
• bird droppings contain a huge amount of useful elements and are well absorbed when applied. Prepare a solution: 1 part chicken manure, 2 parts water, leave for up to 7 days, when ready, dilute with water 1:10, soak the plants under each bush in an amount of 0.5 liters;
• nettle - use an infusion, chop it, fill the container tightly, fill it with water and press it down with a weight on top to prevent the nettle from rising to the surface. Wait 10 days until ready. Dilute with water in a ratio of 1:10, feed the plants once every 7 days, pre-watering;
• Banana peel - cut into smaller pieces and dig into the beds. You can also prepare an infusion, three liters of water + peel of three fruits, wait 3 days, dilute with water 1:1 before use.

Fertilizing peppers after planting in the ground, like any treatments, folk or chemical, should be carried out at sunset. When used correctly, strictly with instructions, only folk recipes are used by eye. Many people think that they planted the pepper in the ground, came up with a temporary shelter, weeded it once, watered it three times and that’s it, they can wait for the harvest. No, pepper is a whimsical plant; in order to enjoy your labors, you must first add them. At first, without experience, everything seems very difficult. After growing for a couple of seasons, you will gain experience yourself and be able to share with newcomers in this business. In the meantime, I hope this article will be useful in your endeavors or already experienced work.

What drugs can be used

If you need to fully feed your plants at minimal cost, it is better to use mineral fertilizers. They are not that expensive, and you don’t need much of them to feed them.

Urea

For the first nitrogen fertilizing, it is best to use urea (30 grams per bucket of water). Granules do not dissolve well in water, so first boil a liter of liquid, stir the fertilizer in it, and then bring the volume up to working volume.

If there is a nitrogen deficiency, then urea is applied foliarly (a teaspoon per bucket of water).

Superphosphate

Superphosphate is added either to the hole or during the second and third feedings, when the peppers need phosphorus. The norm is 40 grams per square meter or 10 liters of water.

If you urgently need to fertilize with phosphorus, then dissolve 2 teaspoons of the product in a bucket of water and spray the peppers.

Potassium sulfate

As the name implies, this is a potassium fertilizer. It is also either incorporated into the soil or dissolved in water. Consumption rate 30 g.

Azofoska

A complex preparation containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Can be used at any stage of growing peppers. The product is sold in the form of granules and is used for root feeding. The consumption rate is a matchbox per bucket of water.

Complex drugs

This is a whole group of fertilizers. Nowadays they are mostly available in liquid form. They contain not only nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, but also humic acids and other trace elements. They must be added strictly according to the instructions. Among the most famous manufacturers are Agricola, Hera, Forte, etc.

Types of fertilizers

Bell pepper is one of the most voracious crops, which requires different fertilizers depending on the stage of development.

Mineral

A complex of useful vitamins and minerals, designed for each type of vegetable and climatic conditions. These supplements can be purchased, but you can easily make them yourself.

Urea

Light-colored, water-soluble granules. Replenishes the lack of nitrogen, which makes up 46% of the substance. Stimulates bush growth, protects pepper from diseases and pests. Suitable for any stage of development.

Important: an excess of nitrogen leads to excessive growth of foliage, and this negatively affects the fruits.

Superphosphate

Protects against phosphorus starvation. The affordable product dissolves in liquid, which makes it easier for roots to access nutrients. There is superphosphate with 20% phosphorus (single) and 45% (double). The mineral normalizes the metabolic processes of pepper, activates and strengthens the root system, and accelerates plant growth.

Ammonium nitrate

The effect is similar to urea, but softer. It contains 25-35% nitrogen, 5-15% sulfur. Saltpeter strengthens the plant's immunity, makes it resistant to temperature changes, and improves productivity. Used during the flowering period.

Important: if the soil is highly acidic, the mineral should be mixed with additives that contain alkali.

Potassium sulfate

Potassium fertilizers are essential for pepper to strengthen immunity, develop frost and drought resistance, and increase quality yield. Potassium sulfate contains 52% chlorine, so it is added in late autumn before the winter period.

Calcium nitrate

Suitable for acidic soils, normalizes the balance of nutrients in the soil. Contains 13% nitrogen and 18% calcium, which improves fruiting, strengthens the immune system, protects against diseases and parasites. Suitable as a foliar additive and also as an anti-rot agent. The best feeding time is spring.

Calimagnesia

It replenishes the deficiency of potassium and is similar in properties to potassium sulfate, but contains only 3% chlorine, which has a more favorable effect on the fruiting of peppers. In addition, the composition includes 28% potassium, 9% magnesium. Most of the fertilizer is added before frost, less - after the snow melts.

See also: Fertilizing peppers after planting in a greenhouse: what fertilizers and when to use

Peat oxidant

A plant growth stimulator that strengthens the immune system and increases resistance to diseases and parasites. Contains 15% nitrogen, 16 amino acids, 70% humic substances, macro- and microelements. Absolutely harmless to animals and people.

Organic

Natural fertilizers from animal, plant and food waste. Unlike minerals, their excess will not harm crops, but will not be able to completely compensate for the lack of vitamins.

Important: if organic additives are purchased, they must be taken from trusted sellers, since there is a high chance of purchasing contaminated fertilizer.

Rotten mullein

Feeding from cow manure. It has a rich mineral composition - nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus. It decomposes and saturates the soil for several years.

Humus

An artificially produced natural fertilizer from litter, manure and leaves processed by bacteria. Improves pepper growth, fruiting and normalizes the natural balance of the soil.

Wood ash

Rich in phosphorus and potassium, ideal for acidic or neutral soils. The most valuable composition is found in buckwheat or sunflower ash, as well as birch ash. Stimulates development and natural defense against diseases and parasites.

Bird droppings

One of the best natural fertilizers, having the richest mineral composition. The most commonly used are pigeon and chicken droppings. It is enough to water the plant with the infusion of the dung 2-4 times during the flowering stage, and the increase in yield can be up to 40%.

Complex

Complex mineral fertilizers differ from conventional fertilizers in their mixed composition, which contains several useful elements.

Nitroammofoska

Contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. It is perfectly soluble in water, which allows substances to quickly penetrate into the roots. Suitable for both spring and autumn feeding.

What to do if the pepper stops growing immediately after planting

Sometimes it happens that immediately after planting, a pepper seedling stops actively growing. The first few days are too early to raise the alarm. This is a normal situation, as the plant takes root in its new place. But even if after a few days nothing has changed, then some measures need to be taken.

The reasons for stunted growth may be incorrect planting time (seedlings are planted too early), damage to the roots and lack of fertilizers.

The first thing to do is treat the plants with Epin, Zircon or Atlet. If this does not help, treat with nitrogen fertilizer (ammonia solution, urea). If this does not help, then the problem is damaged pepper roots. Nothing can be done here.

Feeding peppers during fruit growth

You can find out whether peppers need fertilizing during fruit formation by the appearance of the plants. If they grow strong and even fruits, and they ripen quickly, then there is probably no need for fertilizer. It is necessary to feed so that the crop grows evenly and ripens faster. During this period, they are fed with potassium sulfate and superphosphate extract. These fertilizers should be applied after the first ripe peppers appear.

During fruit growth, the soil in the beds needs to be fed with wood ash, simply sprinkled on the soil. For 1 sq. m consume glasses of ash. During the growing season, you need to fertilize pepper at least 2 times. Be sure to fertilize the site with organic fertilizers for the first time 15 days after planting the pepper in the ground. You can use an infusion of manure or chicken droppings; mineral elements (complex fertilizers) are added to the composition. At least 1 liter is consumed per plant. After another 15 days, a second fertilizing is done, this time it is advisable to fertilize the soil with nitrogen fertilizers. At this time, growing peppers are in dire need of this element.

Common mistakes

Let's look at what mistakes novice gardeners make when feeding peppers.

1. Dry granular or powder fertilizer is scattered over the beds. The granules need to be dissolved in water, buried in the soil or scattered dry with abundant watering. Otherwise there will be no sense in such feeding.
2. Root feeding is carried out immediately after planting. During the first 10-15 days, the planted peppers will take root. All this time, the roots will not be able to properly nourish the plant. Therefore, such feeding is pointless. If you need to urgently feed the plant immediately after planting, then it is sprayed.
3. The soil is not moistened before fertilizing. In order for nutrients to be better absorbed, the soil under the peppers needs to be shed with warm water.
4. Spraying is carried out in hot weather. First, nutrients evaporate quickly in the heat. Secondly, this can lead to sunburn of the leaf blades.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Gardeners who have been cultivating sweet peppers for many years recommend planting seedlings in properly prepared soil. If the soil is heavy and deprived of nutrients, even healthy and strong shoots will quickly disappear.

Also, when choosing top dressing for bell peppers, you should consider the following points:

1. Fresh cow manure produces a huge amount of heat that will simply “burn” the plants.
2. The prepared fertilizer solution should be neither cold nor hot. The optimal temperature is within + 24-27 °C.
3. Fertilizing needs to be done with some regularity. It is best to do this every 10-14 days. This is the only way to achieve visible results.
4. To ensure that nutrients enter the soil in a balanced form, it is useful to alternate mineral preparations with organic matter.
5. It is not recommended to prepare decoctions and tinctures in metal containers.

Answers to frequently asked questions

When should you feed peppers?

The first planned feeding is carried out two weeks after planting the seedlings.

Which drugs are better?

If you have the opportunity, use wood ash. Of the mineral fertilizers, Azofoska is the most effective.

Feeding schedule

After planting the pepper in a permanent place, the vegetable must be fed regularly.

After landing in the ground

The first feeding is carried out 14 days after planting, when the pepper has taken root. At this stage, pepper needs nitrogen:

• urea - 20 g: 10 l of water;
• ammonium nitrate - 30 g: 10 l;
• a mixture of minerals - superphosphate (3 tbsp), ammonium nitrate (1.5 tbsp), potassium sulfate (2.5 tbsp) for 2 buckets of water;
• mullein - 1 kg: 10 l;
• litter - 1 kg: 20 l;
• herbal infusion - 1 l: 8 l.

Important: the additive is applied carefully to the root surface of the soil. If pepper leaves come in contact with them, wash them immediately with water to avoid burns.

For the formation of ovaries

The second feeding is given during the flowering period. Fertilize with a mixture of minerals:

• superphosphate (30 g), urea (10 g), potassium (10 g) per 10 liters of settled liquid. Use at the rate of 1 liter per 1 bush.

When did the green fruits appear?

The third feeding of pepper in the garden is introduced during fruiting, when the pepper requires potassium:

• potassium monophosphate - 20 g:10 l;
• potassium mixture - 15 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium salt per 10 l;
• ash fertilizer - 200 g: 10 l.

Foliar feeding

This fertilizer involves spraying the foliage. Usually carried out for therapeutic or preventive purposes, as well as in case of a lack of nutrients.

When to apply foliar feeding:

• early in the morning or in the evening, when the solution has time to be absorbed before direct sunlight;
• the weather should not be rainy or windy, ideally cloudy;
• in hot weather, spraying is strictly prohibited to avoid burns;

Fertilizer is applied to the outer and inner sides of the leaves, as well as to the stems.

Fertilizers for feeding

• Urea. This substance is the main source of nitrogen; plants are fed 2 weeks before planting seedlings in the garden. If the plants develop poorly, it is necessary to foliar fertilize the pepper in cloudy weather. Urea has a better effect on plants if fertilized in moist soil.
• Peat oxidate. It is used to stimulate the development of plants; even in large doses it is safe for people and animals. Peppers are treated with it immediately after planting the peppers in the ground. This will speed up adaptation to new conditions and stimulate the regeneration of the plant root system. If the seedlings do not take root well, then they are watered with this mixture once every 10 days. This substance increases the yield by about 25%, the fruits grow high-quality, with a high content of vitamins.
• Potash fertilizers. Potassium sulfate is mainly used to feed plants; its use makes it possible to increase the amount of vitamins and sugar in peppers, which improves their taste. It should be applied in the fall when digging up the site or while planting seedlings directly into the hole. In peat areas, potassium is always insufficient; for this reason, in the fall, the beds for planting peppers are fertilized with potassium sulfate.
• Phosphorus fertilizers. Superphosphate has a good effect on the development of the root system and improves plant immunity. Apply dry when digging or planting.

Fertilizer application methods

There are 2 main ways to apply fertilizers for any fruit, flower, and vegetable crops (including peppers):

• Root feeding - involves applying fertilizers under the roots; you can use both liquid and dry nutrients. Most often used to add macroelements (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus).

• Foliar feeding - done by spraying the above-ground part. It is auxiliary to the first method of adding nutrients. It is used primarily for replenishing microelements (for example, boron, manganese, magnesium, etc.). Foliar spraying is especially effective during critical periods of plant growth and development (this is a period when the lack or absence of nutrients has a sharply negative effect on the growth and development of the plant), it improves the digestibility of fertilizers.

What to feed if the pepper does not produce flowers

If the bushes grow well but bloom poorly, stop feeding the plants with nitrogen, but add superphosphates with water.

If the pepper leaves begin to curl, you need to add potassium fertilizer to the soil. The leaves turning a dull gray color on the underside indicates a lack of nitrogen fertilizer in the soil.

Don't overdo it with fertilizers. This is not a case where more is better. You should especially not overuse slurry, as this can lead to loss of fertility.

In bad weather conditions (lower air temperatures or prolonged rains), it is advisable to treat the plants with epin or zircon.

Feeding peppers during the flowering period

Feeding peppers during the flowering period is necessary in order to stimulate the setting of more fruits. At this time, the application of boron is especially effective (especially in unfavorable weather). Boron applied through foliar spraying.

As a boron-containing fertilizer, you can use an excellent folk remedy - boric acid in powder form (6 grams per 10 liters of water). And also the drug Borofoska, Boroplus (according to the instructions for use).

It is also recommended to apply foliar fertilizing with calcium fertilizer. Calcium is necessary for vegetable crops to prevent blossom end rot, as well as to stimulate metabolic processes between the root system and the above-ground part of the plant. It is better to fertilize before or after fruit set. For example, you can use calcium nitrate (to prepare the solution, you need to dilute 20 grams per bucket of water). The drug contains both calcium and nitrogen.

Acidic soil prevents a good harvest, and this vegetable crop does not like acidic soil. The problem can be solved by deoxidizing the soil, for example, by applying chalk fertilizer (the substance deoxidizes the soil and feeds it with calcium. It is recommended to prepare the solution according to the following recipe: 9 liters of water + 1 liter of herbal infusion (or a matchbox of ammonium nitrate, or urea) + 200 grams of chalk.

If you notice that the pepper leaves are not sufficiently developed, it is recommended to feed them with nitrogen before fruiting (or at least during it, if the moment is missed). The fact is that the plant also redirects nutrition from the leaves to grow fruit. And if they are small and poorly developed, then the fruits will also be small and inconspicuous.