Pepper Seedling harvesting
Peppers are easy to grow from seed. Even if one sows them in pots on a windowsill, without heat or lights or precautions against damping-off, some of the plants will still survive.
To select seeds is quite cumbersome and difficult for a beginner. A little difference may be marked between flavor of heirloom and hybrid in connection with peppers as compared with tomatoes. Few areas need selection of more disease resistant seeds. If one is not familiar with bell type peppers then they should take a look at some non-bell varieties.
Planning to decide when to start harvesting is yet another important decision. A pepper plant will survive till there is no frost, but caution has to be taken so as not to plant them before the soil warms, otherwise the seeds may just sulk. It is a better option to keep them indoors under light when the weather is cool. Generally pepper seeds are planted 2 weeks after setting out tomatoes.
Hot pepper sometimes grows slower, so they are usually given 12 week head start. Germination is speeded up by soaking the pepper seeds. Soak the pepper seeds till seeds sink to the bottom. It is preferable to use hydrogen peroxide or weak chamomile tea to break down the seed coat.
It is easier to maintain the moisture level in a seed starting tray, and this is recommended for sowing of pepper seeds.
Pepper grows best at around 80 degree temperature. As soon as the first sign of sprouting is seen the seeding tray must be kept under light. The lights should be as close to the seedlings as possible. Pepper seedlings should be transplanted as soon as they have 2 pairs of true leaves.
Harden off your pepper seedlings before planting out in garden. There should be a minimum space of 12 to 18 inches between the seedlings depending on the variety. Close spacing often allows the plants to support each other, with no need for caging. Grass clippings or straw makes excellent mulch for peppers. Although plants may tolerate some dryness, one will get more peppers if pepper seedlings are watered regularly.
As with any gardening topic, there’s no “one true way” to start peppers from seed. One can find a wide variety of tips and techniques shared in the Pepper Forum and in the Beginner Vegetable Gardening forum. It is left on one’s choice to decide.
Kim Wilhelm is author of this article and writes Articles Since long time For further details about Pepper seedlings and Tomato seeds please visit the site.
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