Growing pepper seedlings the process, although complex, but bringing a lot of pleasure. They start with the selection of quality seeds, prepare them in a certain way for planting. They stock up on soil, adapted containers, think over lighting. But the drawers take up all the free space in the kitchen.
Some inconveniences of growing seedlings are partially eliminated by a new method - germination of seeds in a snail. With this method of cultivation, the seeds appear as if in diapers.
Method advantages
The method is suitable for both experienced gardeners and beginners in planting peppers for seedlings.
The main advantages of planting peppers for seedlings in a snail are:
- compactness and space saving for growing plants. Get about 100 peppers from a snail with a diameter of 20 cm;
- control over seed germination and culling of weak plants;
- pepper seedlings are not stretched out so much;
- soil moisture control. The soil is not covered with mold, and such care practically excludes the disease "black leg";
- picking work is simplified. The snail simply unfolds and the plants are easy to reach. In this case, the root system is practically not damaged;
- the costs of materials for growing pepper are reduced, and the possibility of their reuse.
The only possible drawback may be the pulling out of the seedlings, due to improper care. The reason may be insufficient lighting and waterlogging of the soil.
Having studied the advantages of this method, they begin to plant pepper seedlings.
Preparation and planting of seeds
Before planting peppers, the seeds must be pre-prepared. When sorting seeds, empty, having a different color, of a small size are selected and discarded. Then several techniques are used to increase germination.
One of them is soaking, which stimulates seed germination. The seeds are spread on a piece of gauze, wrapped and placed in a small container with warm water. For hardening, they are soaked in cold water, periodically replacing it.
Before planting seeds, they are soaked in water with the addition of trace elements. To do this, use wood ash, potassium permanganate. A 1% solution is prepared from wood ash and potassium permanganate and the seeds are soaked in it for about 30 minutes. The source of ultraviolet radiation is the sun's rays or a special lamp. This method contributes to the production of high quality and healthy pepper seedlings.
In order to sow pepper seeds, it is better to disinfect them. For this purpose, garlic infusion is used. 20 grams of chopped garlic is poured with 100 grams of water. The seeds are soaked in this solution for one hour. After that, they must be rinsed with warm water.
The technology for arranging a snail and planting pepper in it is as follows:
- Cut off the required piece of backing material and spread it on the work surface. The width of the strips is 15-17 cm.
- Toilet paper is laid along the length of the strip. A layer of paper is spread 1.5 cm below the top edge of the backing. Seeds are sown to this depth for germination. The paper is sprayed with water.
- At a distance of up to 4 cm from the edge of the strip, pepper seeds are placed at intervals of 2 cm. When the planting material is laid, the snail is rolled up. It is important to take into account that different varieties of pepper have a different germination period.
- At this stage, the snail is placed in a prepared container, making sure that the seeds are in the upper part. We cover it in a film and put it in a warm place. In this way, the greenhouse effect is achieved.
- After a few days, we check the snail for seed germination. The seeds should already hatch. We put the snail on one side and carefully unwind it. We choose not mature or weak seeds and sprouts and throw them away.
- The prepared soil mixture is laid along the width of the unwound strip. Its layer is 1.5 cm. It is compacted and sprayed with water.
- Roll up the snail again. It turned out to be much wider. If necessary, add earth on top and watered abundantly. It is better to secure the roll with an elastic band, observing the compression force so as not to damage the plant root system.
- The bottom of the container is covered with sawdust. They put a new snail in place and cover it with foil again. After pecking the plants, the box with the seedlings is placed in a well-lit place.
- With the appearance of two leaves, the film is removed. It is best to do this gradually, accustoming the seedlings to fresh air. In a snail, young plants are kept before picking.
Picking and planting of plants
Picking pepper seedlings from a snail has its own characteristics. Despite the fact that the seeds are planted in the same period and under identical conditions, the seedlings may still be different. Some peppers can be healthy and strong, while others are weak and undergrowth.
In this case, the snail is unwound again and large seedlings are selected. This is easy to do, since the plants are planted far from each other. Roll up the snail again and put it in place.
The video indicates what they pay attention to when planting pepper in a snail:
