Pepper pinching rules
Bulgarian (sweet) peppers are famous for their pleasant taste; they are planted in gardens or in apartments to delight themselves with useful fruits. But even among experienced gardeners, the culture does not always develop and bear fruit correctly. Consider one of the factors affecting the development of a plant - pinching of peppers.
Pinching peppers
What is pinching for?
Pinching is carried out not only in order to form a beautiful bush. This procedure increases yields, promotes root development and improves water supply.
Thanks to pinching, upward growth is suspended and the development of stepsons is activated, which give the bush a spherical appearance. The pinching of the peppers must be carried out correctly, otherwise the sprout will not only stop developing, but even die altogether.
Pinching is carried out with clean scissors or gently break off the stem with your fingers.
What varieties need to be formed
Of course, all varieties need to remove excess branches and leaves, but for varieties characterized by tall bushes, this procedure is mandatory. Medium bushes should be eliminated only from sterile shoots, which improves lighting and activates the flow of air.
Low-growing and dwarf varieties bear fruit well without forming, if a certain distance (about 50 cm) is observed during planting, however, in order to plant more space, gardeners plant the bushes closely. In this case, shaping is mandatory so that development does not stop due to the lack of light and air. In large gardens, pinching of pepper is not relevant.
Pinching the pepper correctly
Pinching is a lengthy process that requires attention. In order not to harm the plant, you must adhere to certain rules. Let's take a step-by-step description of the process.
- Remove the root bud. At first, only one shoot develops. Upon reaching a height of 25-30 cm, several branches are formed. At the site of branching, a root bud is born, which is recommended to be removed for better development. To remove, it is necessary to cut off the tops with scissors, stepping back from the bud 3-4 cm. It is necessary to pinch it in time, otherwise the bush will continue to grow upward.
- We get rid of unnecessary branches. Usually 2-3 main shoots are isolated from the plant, which fully develop and set the shape. It is necessary to leave the strongest branches, and pinch the rest. This stimulates the development of the lateral processes that form the bush.
- We get rid of sterile shoots and lower leaves. Barren shoots and excessive foliage take away the strength of the plant. Instead of directing energy to the formation of fruits and their development, the plant spends energy to maintain the life of completely unnecessary leaves.
- Pinching of skeletal branches. Over time, enough fruit is formed on the bush. To accelerate growth, in this case, pinching of growth points on the main branches is carried out. Thanks to this action, the forces are concentrated on the already existing ovaries.
- It is necessary to pinch the pepper as new stems grow. In the zone of active growth, you can pinch the tops of the pepper once every 2 weeks. In the calm stage, once a month is enough.
Seedling formation
Seedlings need attention
Do the seedlings need to be pinched? The top of young seedlings does not require pinching, but if the moment of planting is missed and lateral shoots and root buds have begun to form, it is necessary to plant as soon as possible in order to proceed to the design of the bush.
It is strictly forbidden to remove excess shoots from seedlings, because the plant has not yet gained strength and can easily pick up diseases, and this often ends in the death of the plantings. Such seedlings are more difficult to take root and require constant care. If the pinching was done before planting, the sprouts must be treated with a solution of copper sulfate before planting.
Some Recommendations
Tips to help you avoid growing problems.
- The bush forms gradually. If a young plant is deprived of all unnecessary branches at one time, it will wither. Stepsons are removed at the beginning of their appearance, until they have developed.
- The processes without the ovary are removed: they take away strength and biologically active substances.
- After the procedure, watering is not recommended for several days: this way the pinching place will heal faster. Together with running water, various diseases and infections can get into the wounds.
- It is important to remove the removed twigs and leaves from the planting site and dispose of.
Conclusion
Bell peppers are one of the most common vegetables in any kitchen in the world. No one will remain indifferent to its taste. In order for the plant to delight with fruits and an excellent appearance, it is important to pinch the pepper correctly.