Germinating pepper seeds
Germination of pepper seeds is one of the preparatory processes for the cultivation of seedlings of this culture. Do not plant seed directly into the soil. This method doesn't pay off. To get quality seedlings, preparation is necessary.
Germinating pepper seeds
Why sprout pepper
This method of growing seedlings is used for both spicy and sweet species. Seeds infected with fungal diseases or other bacteria are disinfected. Also, this method helps to improve the sowing quality of the material. Its germination is significantly increased.
If you sprout pepper from seeds, then the seedlings adapt more easily to environmental conditions. The sprouts have powerful stems. The use of special preparations affects the future indicators of crop yield. After all, seeds are saturated with trace elements and nutrients. Germination accelerates seedling growth and improves its defense mechanism.
Seed preparation for germination
This is a multi-step process. It takes effort and time. To accelerate the appearance of sprouts, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures.
Seed selection
Pepper seeds quickly lose their germination. Therefore, when buying them, you should pay attention to the expiration date.
When buying, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. Famous brands are preferred. If the seed is processed, then this is written on the package. Its price will be significantly higher, since it has antifungal protection, and it is improved with the help of growth stimulants, trace elements.
If the grains were not amenable to processing or there is no confidence in its implementation, it is necessary to carry out this procedure at home. Otherwise, the peppers will not germinate well, the plant may be sick in the future. The quality of the crop will be at risk.
Seed sampling
Before germinating bell pepper seeds, you need to calibrate them and check for germination. For this, the grains are lined on paper and the smallest ones are selected. They are not used for planting. To distinguish hollow seed from full seed, proceed as follows:
- add 35-40 g of table salt to 1 liter of water, mix;
- the seeds are dipped in the solution for about 5 minutes.
Low-quality grains will float up, they are removed. The fit ones will fall to the bottom. To prepare for the next step, the remaining bell pepper seeds are washed with fresh water and dried. This event is carried out just before germination.
Disinfection
Disinfection is an important part of this process. The health of future seedlings depends on it. At home, seed dressing can be implemented using potassium permanganate. They do it like this:
- prepare a 1-2% solution of the substance, it should be pale pink;
- the grains are wrapped in cheesecloth;
- dipped in liquid for 20 minutes;
- after extraction, rinse with running water;
- dried.
Seeds need to be disinfected
An agent such as Fitosporin can help to disinfect the seed. To do this, add 4 drops of the drug to 1 glass of water. The solution has a detrimental effect on fungi and bacteria. Does not pose a danger to humans, animals and insects.
Before placing the seeds in the solution, you can soak them for a while (less than 2 hours) in water with a temperature of 40-45˚С. First you need to wrap it in a soft cloth. To germinate pepper seeds, disinfection is carried out no earlier than 2 days before. Otherwise, they will lose their sowing qualities.
Treatment with growth stimulants
Germination will be good if sweet peppers are saturated with nutrients before planting. The objectives of this procedure:
- increased germination;
- increasing plant immunity to diseases;
- adaptation to adverse environmental conditions in the early stages of development.
A good source of nutrients is readily available organic matter such as wood ash.
It contains many vitamins and minerals. The solution is prepared in this way: add 20 g of ash to 1 liter of water, insist for a day, stir regularly. The grains wrapped in gauze are dipped in the prepared product for 5 hours. Then they are washed and dried. Ash water can be stored for a long time.
In order for the development of plants to be rapid, it is necessary to stimulate the seed. For this purpose, I use biological and chemical substances. Chicken egg and aloe juice are some of the most affordable products that contain a lot of nutrients. They can be combined - the juice is mixed with a beaten egg and the seeds are poured. After soaking in such a solution, commercial preparations are also used: "Energena", "Epin-extra", "Zircon". They are used strictly according to the attached instructions.
Heating
Some gardeners use this method to speed up the germination of pepper seeds. After all the above procedures, the seeds are warmed up. For this purpose, they must be laid out on a windowsill from the sunny side or placed in warm water (40˚C). You can also use a thermos. In a well-warmed seed, growth processes are activated, then they will germinate better.
Germinating seeds
The procedure begins in February - early March. To germinate the seeds correctly, melt water is taken for the pepper.
It activates biological processes well and stimulates the growth of seedlings. If tap water is used, it must be defended. Then the chlorine contained in the liquid will evaporate.
The seeds are laid out on a gauze or napkin folded in several layers. Cover from above in the same way. You can use cosmetic discs, sponge. Moisten with water. Placed in a vessel with a lid, leave in an environment with a temperature of 25-28˚С. You can achieve such indicators using a radiator. It should be opened every day to ventilate. You can not use the container. But then you need to make sure that the fabric remains wet. And in the evening, they cover it with plastic wrap.
Full germination of pepper will take 7-10 days.
The strongest seeds will sprout in 3-5 days. Sometimes it takes longer. Then, for the rapid germination of pepper seeds, a solution of chlorine bleach or saltpeter is used. The seeds are placed in them for 5 minutes. This contributes to the destruction of the shell and the activation of the process. The planting of the hatched seeds is carried out in special containers.
Conclusion
It is much easier to care for plants that are grown in this way. They are less likely to get sick and grow faster. Compliance with all the rules for the preparation and germination of peppers helps to increase yields.