Although Siberia has a harsh climate and short summers, it is still possible to grow peppers from seedlings in this region.
Naturally, doing this is a little more difficult than, for example, in the Krasnodar Territory, but not impossible. 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! In today’s article we will talk about the timing of planting sweet pepper seedlings in Siberia in 2022. You will also learn how to determine planting dates using the instructions of the lunar sowing calendar.
Which pepper varieties are suitable for planting in Siberia
For Siberia, it is better to take early and mid-early varieties of sweet pepper. Still, beyond the Urals, summer is very short, which leads to the fact that late-ripening varieties simply do not have time to ripen.
Specific names include Valentine, White Lady F1, Bagheera, Gemini F1, Raisin, Jaguar, Orange Miracle, Cardinal, Latino, Cockatoo, Californian Miracle, Red Miracle, etc.
ADVICE. It is better to give preference to the most modern varieties of bell peppers, because they are the most adaptable and resistant.
What are the best pepper seeds to grow in Siberia?
For short summer conditions, it is better to choose early-ripening or late-ripening varieties. When choosing seeds for seedlings, you must be guided by such a characteristic as thickness. Preference is given to specimens with thick, fleshy walls (from 0.6 to 1.1 cm). Such fruits contain a high amount of useful substances, and the bushes are characterized by high productivity. This article will tell you what you can plant with what in a greenhouse.
What varieties of sweet thick-walled to plant at home
The most popular varieties are:
- California miracle. Pepper with large (up to 250 g) fruits with a low bitterness concentration. The bushes grow up to 60 cm and begin to bear fruit at 110-120 days. A high-yielding, long-lasting variety that tolerates transportation well.
- Fat Baron. Early variety - the harvest can be harvested 95 days after sowing. The height of the bush is up to a meter. The fruits are red in color, aromatic, their weight is 180-200 g. Requiring care - it is advisable to grow under cover and monitor the watering regime, while ensuring good air access.
- Bogatyr is highly resistant to Siberian conditions and putrefactive diseases. Medium-sized burgundy fruits have a cuboid shape. The bushes are branched and prolific. Requires abundant watering and mulching of the soil.
- Quadro red is a plant with very large (up to 350 g) cubic red fruits. Resistant to temperature fluctuations, tolerates transportation well. The pulp is tender and sweet.
Which spicy varieties to sow?
Hot peppers are often used as a seasoning, so in Siberia they are grown not much less often than sweet peppers. Among the variety of varieties, you should pay attention to:
- Little Miracle is a mid-early variety with a low (about 30 cm) compact bush and very sharp small fruits. Their color varies from pale green at the beginning of ripening to cherry when fully ripe.
- Aladdin is a very early variety with semi-spreading, medium-sized bushes. Ripe fruits are red, aromatic, hot and spicy.
- Hungarian yellow is an early ripening pepper. The scarlet-colored fruits have a semi-sharp taste.
Siberian varieties for growing in a greenhouse
Most Siberian gardeners prefer to grow peppers in greenhouses, using seeds of the following varieties:
- Belozerka is an early ripening species. The bush grows up to 75 cm, and the fruits have white juicy pulp with a pronounced aroma.
- Casablanca is a high-yielding hybrid with cube-shaped, thick-walled, juicy fruits. It begins to bear fruit 2.5-3 months after planting the seeds in open beds. To ensure good ovary, it is better to sow this variety in a greenhouse.
- Merchant is a not very large (60-80 g) pepper with red, fleshy flesh. It has a high content of vitamin C.
For open ground
If it is not possible to use a greenhouse or other shelter, then you can grow species of this crop that are resistant to the cold soil of Siberia:
- Oriole is a high-yielding variety with small, but very sweet and aromatic yellow fruits. Capable of forming an ovary in poor light conditions and low temperatures for this crop.
- Poplar is a large-fruited red species with high disease resistance.
- Siberian Prince is a variety with sweet and very juicy fruits up to 160 g. Peppers begin to ripen after 110 days. Resistant to stressful climatic conditions. The main disadvantage is the low yield.
- Bulls - pepper with fruits of red, orange or yellow color, weighing from 200 to 400 g. An unpretentious variety with high yield. Ripening begins at 95-110 days.
Early and ultra-early
Many agricultural companies take into account the peculiarities of Siberian conditions and develop varieties of peppers of early and ultra-early ripeness. Among them:
- Health is a variety whose growing season is 78-87 days. The bushes are tall, with red fruits weighing up to 80 g. They are distinguished by their high ability to form ovaries at low air temperatures.
- Brother Fox is an ultra early variety that begins to bear fruit after 85 days. The fruits are small and orange.
- Nemesis F1 is a medium-sized Dutch red pepper that ripens in 90 days.
Mid-season
When choosing a productive mid-season variety, you should pay attention to:
- Yellow bull is a pepper with beautiful, rich yellow fruits after ripening, which have a pronounced taste and aroma. Gives a high yield even at low temperatures, is well stored and transported.
- Claudio is a Dutch hybrid that ripens in 110-115 days. Large red peppers weigh 250-280 g. The bushes are tall, so they require support and tying up.
- Atlant is a mid-season variety with low yields, which are compensated by excellent taste.
There are a variety of seeds bred specifically for cultivation in Siberian conditions, “Golden Sotka of Siberia”, “Seeds of Altai”, “Siberian Garden”.
How to choose the right time to sow pepper in Siberia
When to sow peppers for seedlings in Siberia is influenced by two fundamental factors: the vegetation characteristics of the crop and a particular variety and the lunar sowing calendar.
If you follow the biodynamic method of plant growing, then you know that in accordance with the lunar calendar, sowing should be done on the waxing moon. Thus, you look at the lunar calendar for the month and mark for yourself the suitable days for sowing.
Next, you need to check the varietal characteristics of the crop. The time that passes from the moment of planting grains to harvesting the fruits is 80 - 160 days.
That is, the seeds must be planted between February and April.
ON A NOTE. Happy owners of heated greenhouses can sow grains a little earlier and a little later than the specified dates.
How to choose the right soil
The next important point is the choice of suitable soil. The soil for growing pepper seedlings should be light, nutritious and loose. This is a general soil requirement for any seedling.
For sowing, you can use the most common universal soil. It is sold in all hardware and flower stores, and sometimes it is even delivered to regular supermarkets. This soil meets all requirements and is completely suitable for seedlings.
Some summer residents purchase specialized soil for peppers, tomatoes and eggplants. In fact, it is not much different from the universal one. Sometimes the proportions of different components are slightly adjusted. But this is not at all critical.
The most experienced gardeners, who grow seedlings not only for themselves, but also for sale, prepare the substrate themselves.
The proportions are:
- 2 parts humus;
- 1 part river sand;
- 2 parts peat.
All components can be purchased at the store or prepared yourself. The substrate is thoroughly mixed and sifted. Then disinfection is carried out using a solution of potassium permanganate or calcination in the oven.
How to grow in soil with hydrogel?
Hydrogel
is a polymer that retains moisture. The advantage of using it is that the seedlings will have to be watered less.
The hydrogel is sold in dry form. It will need to be prepared before planting. For 1 liter of soil you need 200 ml of ready-made hydrogel jelly. Both components are mixed, and pepper grains are sown into the prepared substrate.
The further growing process is no different from the classical method. The only difference is that you will have to water the seedlings much less often.
Favorable time for planting pepper in 2022 according to the lunar calendar in Siberia
So, as mentioned above, in order to obtain seedlings that bear fruit well and are resistant to negative influences, sowing must be done on the rising moon. This is the most favorable time for the procedure.
It just so happens that in 2022 the moon waxes mainly in the second half of the month.
Below is data on the most favorable days for sowing in the first half of the year.
- January 3 -17
- February 2 -15
- March 3 – 17
- April 2 – 15
- 1 -15, 31 May
- 1 - 13, 30 June
Conditions required for pepper seedlings and care features
So, the grains fell into the ground, and now it’s time to wait for the first shoots to appear. In order for the seeds to germinate and then the seedlings to develop well and be healthy, it is necessary to create the appropriate conditions. Let's consider the main parameters.
Temperature
Until the shoots appear, the temperature must be maintained at least 25 degrees. When seedlings appear, the boxes with seedlings are temporarily moved to a cooler place (temperature no higher than 18 degrees).
After 5 days, when all the shoots have already appeared, the boxes are again moved to warmth (22 - 25 degrees) and kept at this temperature until planting.
Lighting
Peppers need constant access to sunlight for at least 12 hours. Therefore, after the emergence of seedlings, they need to be illuminated until the daylight hours increase.
The light should be bright, but diffused. This is especially important in the last weeks before planting, so that direct UV rays do not burn the leaves of the seedlings.
Features of watering
Watering is carried out with warm, settled water as the soil dries. It is best to use melt or rain water. After watering, it is imperative to loosen the soil so that the water does not stagnate, the soil does not become compacted, and the roots receive air.
basic rules for caring for peppers
Unfavorable time for sowing pepper seedlings in 2022 in Siberia
A definitely bad decision would be to plant seeds on new and full moon days. The seedlings are rare, weak and non-viable.
In 2022, new moons and full moons will fall on the following dates:
- In January
— 1, 2, 3, 18 - In February
– 1, 2, 16 - In March
– 1, 2, 3, 18 - In April
– 1, 2, 16, 29, 30 - In May
– 16, 29, 30, 31 - In June
– 14, 28, 29, 30
There is no clear opinion among summer residents about the period of the dying moon. Some believe that this is also a bad time to sow seeds. Some people are sure that planting can be done, but seedlings will take a little longer to appear.
Preparing for landing
Seed preparation
It is necessary to remove all seeds unsuitable for sowing: those with visible damage, puny ones. There are several ways to identify quality beans. The fastest: prepare a 5% saline solution, place the seeds in it for 10 minutes - the weak ones will remain on the surface. The best way: at any time (before the sowing season) plant a few seeds from a bag as a test without germinating them. As a result, by how many seeds have sprouted, it will be clear whether the material is of high quality. You will also know exactly when to sow and how long it will take for a sprout to appear;
Grains suitable for planting must be processed to avoid infection with fungal infections. To do this, the seeds are placed in a gauze bag and soaked in a thick solution of manganese for half an hour. After processing, thoroughly wash the seeds without removing them from the gauze. The seeds of some companies are sold already processed; you should carefully read the annotation;
Start germinating seeds (if you are not sure that the seeds will sprout). Place the seeds (separate from each other) between a damp cloth folded in half. To prevent the liquid from evaporating too quickly, the seeds need to be covered. Place the seeds in a warm (+25 degrees) place. You need to make sure that the seeds do not germinate more than 1 mm, otherwise the tip can easily come off during sowing. If this happens, you may not get the harvest.
Other ways to increase seed germination
Heat activation.
A month before planting, you need to put the seeds in a linen bag and hang it near the radiator, or put it in another warm place;
Soaking in melt water.
Video: When to plant pepper seedlings (The best way)
Video: How I grow healthy and strong pepper seedlings without picking. Sowing on February 11
After treatment with potassium permanganate, the seeds are placed in melt (warm) water for a day. Then you need to put them in a saucer and in a plastic bag, after wrapping them in gauze. Cover the bag, but do not tie it, to allow air access. Place in a warm place for germination (not on a radiator). Seeds germinate on average within a week.
Soaking in ash.
The seeds are placed in water with wood ash (in the proportion of one tablespoon per liter) for one to two days. Next, they are germinated in the same way as when soaking in melt water.
Oxygen saturation.
You need to immerse the seeds in water, and using a compressor (an aquarium compressor will do), supply air there. Treat two weeks before planting for 24 hours.
Hardening of seeds.
It is necessary to treat the grains with a nutrient solution, wrap them in a damp cloth and place them in the refrigerator (lower section) for two days. Then leave it in the room for 12 hours and put it back in the refrigerator for two days.
How to prepare the soil mixture
Now let's talk about what kind of soil should be for growing seedlings. Pepper loves organic fertilizers. Therefore, when preparing the soil for it, try to use very good compost. You can add a little rotted manure there. As a fertilizer, the soil must contain dolomite flour (100-150 g per bucket of soil), because pepper does not tolerate acidic soil at all. You can add complex fertilizer, for example, Kemira Universal, or nitroamophoska at the rate of 50-70 g per bucket of soil. After all these additions, do not forget to mix everything thoroughly, carefully rubbing all the lumps. You will essentially have “living soil” that will give strength to your plants.
What is the best way to sow pepper seedlings in Siberia
Now let's talk about some tricks on how to sow. Generally speaking, there are no tricks to sowing in Siberia. But there are several nuances that will make your work much easier.
How to choose soil
High-quality soil is an important component of successfully growing pepper seedlings.
The soil should be saturated with useful microelements, loose in structure with neutral acidity. When purchasing, it is better to take a substrate marked “for seedlings.” Universal primer can also be used.
But it is better not to use soil from the garden for sowing seeds for seedlings and obtaining seedlings. She is too “heavy” and “fat”. It may also contain fungal spores or parasite eggs.
With proper skill, you can prepare the soil yourself. To do this, mix humus, river sand and peat in proportions 2:1:2. Such a substrate must be subjected to a disinfection procedure. Also, the resulting soil mixture must be sifted so that the final substrate comes out loose. Looseness is necessary for air access to the roots of the seedlings.
IMPORTANT! Disinfect even purchased soil.
How to choose seeds for sowing
In general, “bell” pepper can even be obtained from grains collected from the fruits of last year’s harvest. But it’s still better to buy planting material in stores.
First, decide on the type of crop that is most suitable for your region.
Secondly, look at the packaging date. Do not take seed that is too old.
Thirdly, take large-fruited varieties.
What containers to plant in?
Now a summer resident has a huge choice of which containers to plant in.
Traditional method: sow in common containers, and then dive into separate cups. You can immediately plant them in cups, but this method has its drawbacks. It is very inconvenient to care for when shoots have not yet appeared.
Peat tablets are now sold. But they are quite expensive. However, if you plant peppers only “for food” and you don’t have very many seedlings, then you can use them.
What is the depth of sowing pepper seeds?
It is not advisable to bury pepper grains deeper than 1.5 cm.
How to choose a day to plant
The day to sow seeds for seedlings is chosen based on the lunar sowing calendar.
The chosen day must fall during the period when the moon is waxing.
Conditions for seed germination
In order for seedlings to appear as quickly as possible, the crops must be provided with appropriate conditions.
The substrate must be moistened. The temperature should be about 25 degrees. Therefore, containers with planted seeds are wrapped in polyethylene and placed under the radiator.
They need to be ventilated and watered periodically.
When the first shoots hatch, the polyethylene must be removed and the container itself must be placed in “cold” (+18 degrees).
The process of sowing bell peppers
Sow pepper seeds at intervals of 2 cm. It is good if by this time they have already sprouted.
Important! It is harmful to sow pepper seeds very densely, as the plants will shade each other and, as a result, will become very thin and light green.
Cover the top with a 1 cm layer of soil and lightly compact it. Water the peppers with great care so as not to accidentally wash the seeds onto the surface of the substrate. To prevent the top layer of soil from drying out too quickly, cover the container with glass or polyethylene.
The timing of emergence of seedlings greatly depends on the temperature. The greater the amount of heat, the faster the seedlings will sprout. So, at a soil temperature of up to 32 °C, plants will appear already on days 4 - 7, and at 24 - 26 °C - on the 15th day, if 21 - 22 °C - on the 20th day. When the temperature drops even lower, there may be no seedlings at all.
Sowing pepper seeds for seedlings step by step
Now let’s present a detailed step-by-step algorithm for pepper seedlings:
- Step 1. Pre-sowing treatment of seed material, soil and planting containers is carried out.
- Step 2. The containers are filled with substrate.
- Step 3. Make parallel grooves no more than 15 mm deep.
- Step 4. Lightly moisten the substrate.
- Step 5. Arrange the grains in 20 mm increments.
- Step 6. Carefully fill it up (we just fill it up, not fill it up!) with soil.
- Step 7. Gently pour water using a syringe.
- Step 8. Wrap it in cling film or a plastic bag and place it under the battery.
When to plant
On the eve of the start of spring work, the question of planting pepper seedlings always arises. Experienced gardeners navigate based on the climatic conditions of their residence. As a rule, young growth of early varieties is transferred to the ground at the age of 50-60 days, when the last spring frosts have passed.
- Capsicum varieties of medium ripeness are planted in the ground at the age of 60 days.
- And late ripening - at the age of 65-75 days.
Here, in the southern regions of Eastern Siberia, young shoots are transferred to the ground after June 10, and to the greenhouse in May. Rewinding 65 days from these numbers, you can determine the number of plantings of different varieties in the ground for its cultivation. We plant peppers in the greenhouse in the second half of May. Therefore, the first shoots appear on the windowsill in March.
Features of caring for pepper seedlings in Siberia
In general, in the Siberian region, bell pepper must be provided with the same conditions for growth and development as in other regions. But some features still exist.
They are mainly related to the climate of this region.
How often to water pepper seedlings
Peppers do not need to be watered often. Focus on the condition of the soil. It should dry out. Be sure to loosen the soil to avoid stagnation of water at the roots. This is fraught with rotting.
To avoid such problems, take care of the drainage system even before planting the seeds.
For watering, use warm, settled water. If possible, collect precipitation for irrigation.
Temperature
Before germination, containers with crops are kept at a temperature of at least +25 degrees. Then, when the first grains hatch, the temperature is lowered to +18. When most of the crops have sprouted, the temperature is again raised to +22+25.
This is the optimal temperature regime for seedlings.
What kind of lighting should there be for pepper seedlings in Siberia?
12 hours minimum. When growing crops in Siberia, take care of purchasing lamps for additional lighting.
A lack of light can lead to a slowdown in growth, and then to the fact that the seedlings will “stretch out” - becoming weak and thin.
In this case, the light must be diffused, otherwise there is a high probability that ultraviolet radiation will “burn” the leaves of young plants.
Feeding mode
In a good way, there is no need to feed the peppers before transplanting them into open ground, since the seedlings must be fed with nutrients from the substrate in which they grow.
But the reality is that seedlings need to be fed.
During the growing of seedlings, two feedings are carried out. The first a few days after the dive. Per liter of water you need 2 grams of potassium sulfate and urea and 6 grams of superphosphate. 100 ml is used for each plant.
The second feeding is carried out after 2-3 weeks (based on the condition of the plants). As for fertilizers, it is best to use liquid formulations with humates. The working solution is prepared in accordance with the instructions.
How to determine the peak time of pepper in Siberia
The picking procedure is carried out depending on the condition of the plants. When the seedlings have 3 true leaves, then the peppers dive.
NOTE. First, the plants develop two cotyledon leaves. They don't count!
How to do it correctly at home
Before sowing seeds at home, they are sorted, rejecting empty and weak ones. Hollow ones are easily checked in a 3% saline solution. Healthy ones sink to the bottom, and empty ones float to the surface.
After culling, they are treated with a growth stimulator. For home remedies, you can use freshly squeezed aloe juice. Soaking the juice for 10 hours activates the seeds and increases their germination.
Many gardeners use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or 3% hydrogen peroxide for disinfection.
I recommend watching the video (be sure to watch it to the end), you will learn a lot of new things:
After sowing with dry grains, pipping occurs only after 2 weeks. If you germinate them, the first shoots may appear on the 6th day. Sprout Capsicum in a damp cloth, wetting it periodically.
The soil can be bought ready-made. Or prepare the soil in advance. A mixture of turf soil, old humus and garden soil is suitable for cultivation. Humus can be replaced with peat. Wood ash or superphosphate is added to the soil mixture.
Activation of seeds with boiling water
This method significantly reduces the time for the first shoots to appear. They do it like this:
First, pour boiling water on the ground. Once the water is absorbed and the soil is completely moistened, spread the paprika seeds on the surface of the soil. Pour hot water over the top again. Under the influence of water, the grains themselves will deepen and find their place.
Deepen any achenes remaining on the surface with a toothpick. Lightly compact the soil and cover the top of the container with glass or film.
Don't forget about ventilation. Droplets of condensation should be removed with a sponge. Otherwise, mold will form on the soil.
Common mistakes
Let's look at the most common mistakes that Siberian summer residents make when growing pepper seedlings.
- Selection of low-quality planting material. 90% of success in growing pepper seedlings is quality seeds. To avoid wasting precious time re-sowing, buy seeds only from trusted manufacturers and dealers.
- Ignoring the recommendations of the lunar calendar. It has long been noted more than once that seeds sown on the rising moon germinate better, and the plants turn out healthier and more viable.
- Failure to comply with the conditions for planting and caring for seedlings. This includes sowing too deep, and inappropriate growing conditions (low or high temperature, lack of lighting), and improper care.
- The wrong variety has been selected for planting. Siberia is a harsh place where peppers have a hard time growing. To obtain satisfactory yields, it is worth giving preference to zoned varieties and hybrids.
- Seedlings do not undergo the hardening procedure. Because of this, when transplanting, plants suffer severe stress, and some of them die.
Into the snail
It has a number of positive aspects that gardeners appreciate.
- The seedlings are of high quality.
- This method helps preserve seedlings; they are stronger and resistant to disease.
- Weak shoots are immediately visible. Even at the stage of hatching from the seeds, they can be removed.
- It is easy to control the humidity in the cochlea.
- The method is compact and saves space. In a snail with a diameter of 20 cm you can get up to 100 shoots.
- It is convenient to pick seedlings from a snail without disturbing the delicate root system. And pepper painfully endures injuries on the roots.
- The method is convenient, consumables are available and not expensive. They can be reused.
The disadvantage of this method is that the sprouts are pulled out. This happens due to crowded growth, lack of lighting, and partly from waterlogging.
What you need to prepare
Strips of construction polypropylene fabric, which is called a laminate backing with a thickness of 2 mm. The material is considered environmentally friendly.
Two-ply toilet paper. Light soil mixture, uniform in consistency, without lumps. You can always sift it if you notice any inclusions. The soil is moistened until it holds a lump and does not crumble. You will need:
- rubber band for attaching the snail, or string,
- tweezers, spray bottle,
- plastic bag,
- sawdust,
- container where the snail will be placed.
Instead of a container, plastic buckets for mayonnaise and ice cream work well.
How to make a snail:
Cut a strip 15-17 cm wide from the backing material. The width of this strip should be 1.5-2 centimeters wider than toilet paper. Place a layer of toilet paper on top of the backing, stepping back 1.5 cm from one edge. Wet the paper using a spray bottle. Any growth stimulator “Epin” or “Energen” can be dissolved in water beforehand.
Stepping back 3-5 cm from the beginning of the strip, place the seeds at a distance of 2 cm from each other along the upper edge of the toilet paper (where it is smaller than the backing). Carefully roll the snail into a roll.
Capsicum varieties differ in terms of germination. Therefore, it is more convenient to place them in different snails.
Secure the snail with a rubber band and place it in a container, seeds facing up. Cover the container with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect. The humidity level must be checked daily. After 4 days the first loops appear. At this time, you can unfold the snails, remove weak sprouts, replacing them with new seeds.
Cover the sprouts with a 1-1.5 cm layer of soil. Lightly moisten it. Wrap the snail again and secure with an elastic band, not tightly. Pour sawdust into the bottom of the container. You can add soil on top if necessary. In a snail with soil, shoots can be present before picking. Water with a syringe.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to plant peppers directly in a garden or greenhouse in Siberia?
Unfortunately, the climate of Siberia does not allow pepper seeds to be sown immediately in a permanent growing location. Summer in this part of Russia is short, so the crop simply does not have time to bear fruit.
Complicating everything is the fact that pepper is considered “slow-witted”, that is, it develops very slowly. This is the second factor why peppers cannot be planted with seeds directly into open ground or a greenhouse.
Is it necessary to carry out pre-sowing preparation of seeds?
This is not a necessary event, but you need to understand that soaking the grains in a growth stimulant or hydrogen peroxide solution will increase germination and the plants will be healthy.
Is it necessary to buy zoned varieties?
Zoned varieties were bred by breeders taking into account the climatic characteristics of the growing region.
For example, for Siberia, pepper varieties are being developed with increased resistance to bad weather, as well as with an accelerated fruiting period.
Of course, no one forbids you to plant other varieties of pepper, but the problem is that they may either not produce a harvest at all, or the fruits will turn out small and tasteless.
Is it necessary to pick and harden pepper seedlings?
Picking is not always carried out. It is needed when the seeds were initially planted in a common container. If planting was carried out in separate containers (cups, peat tablets), there is no need to dive.
The situation with hardening is different. Using this procedure, seedlings are prepared for transplantation, as well as new growth conditions for them. Hardening is recommended.
Is it necessary to follow the lunar calendar?
The lunar sowing calendar tells the gardener the timing of the main agrotechnical activities: sowing, planting and planting.
Landing in the ground
Let's look at the nuances of growing peppers in Siberia in open ground.
Overexposure of seedlings can lead to the fact that the pepper bush will take root worse in its new location and bear less fruit. The most appropriate time will be the moment when the first flower blooms at the first fork .
Pepper is a delicate crop; it has a very sensitive root system . To ensure that the plant takes root well and does not get sick after transplanting into the ground, it is done by transshipment, without disturbing the roots and leaving an earthen lump on them.
In the Siberian climate, this is especially important, because these 7-10 days, while the roots adapt to the new place, will shift the ripening period of the fruits, which is unacceptable for a too short summer.
Damage to the roots can be avoided if you immediately sow the seeds in separate plastic bags or cardboard containers. They can be carefully cut and seedlings planted without disturbing the roots.
If planting by transfer is impossible for some reason, give your bushes a head start by planting them a week earlier.
The influence of the Moon on plant development
The Moon is the closest astronomical object to Earth, the only natural satellite. Its gravity affects the ebb and flow of the hydrosphere of our planet.
Living organisms are also mostly composed of water. Changes in people’s mood and well-being depending on the phases of the moon have been noticed for a long time and are being actively studied. But if a person contains 60-80% liquid, then in plants it is 80-90%.
Supporters of lunar calendars argue that even garden work needs to be adjusted to the phases of the natural satellite:
- New moon. All processes in plants are suspended, you can do pruning, pinching, and pinching. A good time for fertilizing and processing. You can't plant anything.
- Waxing Crescent. You can sow seeds or plant seedlings of crops that produce above-ground crops, including peppers and eggplants.
- Full moon. Hilling, weeding, harvesting, pest control - everything needs to be done in a few days. During this period, you cannot engage in pinching peppers and other garden crops or trimmings.
- Waning moon. The best time to sow carrots, beets, potatoes, and other vegetables that produce root crops.
Some esotericists claim that on the waning Moon the Earth “inhales”, all useful substances rush from the vegetative organs to the root, ensuring its maximum development. The growing part “exhales” and rapid growth of the above-ground part begins.
Feeding pepper seedlings after picking
After picking, after 7-10 days, the root system is restored and begins intensive development. The first feeding is carried out at this time with complex mineral fertilizer. The same solution can be used for a second feeding after 7-10 days.
To reap a rich harvest, it is very important to sow seeds for seedlings on time and, of course, caring for the plants is important.
We recommend reading these articles:
How to feed pepper and tomato seedlings at home for growth?
How to grow tulips by March 8th at home in a pot for beginners?
How to grow an avocado from a seed at home in a pot for beginners
A little criticism
Talking about the failure of lunar calendars to people who believe in them is futile work. But we need to try to convey some common sense to them.
If farmers had focused on the moon when planting any crop, supermarket shelves and markets would have been empty. And humanity would die out from hunger. They sow, plant and harvest when the time is right, and not at the behest of the stars.
The saying that in the spring the day feeds the year was dictated not by opponents of planting calendars, but by folk wisdom. It is unrealistic to wait for the stars to rise “correctly” and to have time to do everything; the gardener will be left without a harvest. What if large farmers and agricultural enterprises do this? Or will the stars give them a discount due to their desperate situation?
If you can still play with sowing seeds (well, they plant overgrown or very tiny seedlings), then when moving to a permanent place, the jokes usually end in tears. They planted it in cold soil - the crop froze, they were too late - it did not have time to take root and died from the heat. Particularly short periods are allocated to gardeners in areas of problematic agriculture.
Planting peppers in the Urals and other cold regions is a risky business. Even in a greenhouse, only early and middle varieties ripen, but in the garden, at best, they get one harvest. So you can rely on the Moon, but only if it does not contradict common sense, and the landing calendar coincides with weather forecasts.
