Pepper requires special attention, but at the same time generously rewards farmers with a rich harvest. Using a greenhouse, you can create the necessary conditions for its cultivation, but before buy a greenhouse you need to determine your goals. Based on these goals, you can choose a year-round or seasonal greenhouse, etc. For beginning greenhouse growers, a small greenhouse under film is quite enough; you can even make one with your own hands. Wood and PVC pipes are suitable for the frame; for covering it is better buy film for greenhouse.
Choice varieties
Next you need to select a variety and prepare the seeds. For greenhouses, hybrids that are disease-resistant and have high productivity are preferred. It is important to consider what type of pepper you want to grow: sweet for salads or hot for spices. Also pay attention to the height of the plants, since low-growing varieties require less space, while tall ones need staking. If you have limited space on your site or do not want to install a bulky greenhouse, you can buy a greenhouse made of agrofibre. It will allow you to plant seedlings or seeds in the spring, after frosts have subsided.
Soil preparation
The soil should be light, nutritious and well drained. A few weeks before planting, we add organic fertilizers such as compost or humus to the soil. If the greenhouse is used repeatedly, it is worth replacing the top layer of soil to avoid the accumulation of pathogens. It is also recommended to check the acidity of the soil: for pepper it should be close to neutral.
Preparing seedlings and transplanting
Pepper requires a long period of development, so the seeds are planted two months before the planned transplant into the greenhouse. The temperature for seed germination should be between 25-28 degrees. As soon as the first shoots appear, it is important to provide the plants with enough light and moderate watering. A lack of light can lead to stretching of seedlings, and excess moisture can lead to rotting of the roots.
Transplanting into a greenhouse is carried out when the plants reach a height of 20-25 cm and have 6-8 true leaves. The soil must be warmed up before planting; the air temperature should not fall below 15 degrees, especially at night. The recommended planting pattern is 40-50 cm between bushes, which provides each plant with enough space for development.
Pepper care and feeding
Pepper care includes regular watering, fertilizing and plant formation. Watering should be moderate but regular: overdrying or waterlogging of the soil negatively affects growth. Drip irrigation will help maintain a stable level of humidity, which is especially important in greenhouse conditions.
Feeding is carried out several times a season. At the beginning of growth, peppers need nitrogen for the formation of greenery, and during flowering and fruiting, phosphorus and potassium. An excellent choice would be organic solutions, such as an infusion of chicken manure or herbal tea.
Harvesting begins when the peppers reach technical maturity: they acquire a characteristic color, size and density. It is better to cut the fruits with a sharp knife so as not to damage the plant. For sweet varieties it can be light green, yellow or red, for hot varieties it can be bright red or orange.
Growing peppers in a greenhouse is a process that requires attention, but brings pleasure from the work and satisfaction from result. With the right approach, you can provide yourself and your customers with high-quality fruits that will delight you with their taste and benefits.
