Chili peppers have a long history of cultivation in China. The first step to successfully growing chili peppers is, of course, preparing the seeds. So, how many days does it take for chili pepper seeds to germinate after planting? Let's find out below.
How many days does it take for chili seeds to germinate?
Chili seeds germinate relatively easily, usually within 7-10 days. However, the specific germination time is closely related to the seedling environment.
How do you plant chili pepper seeds?
1. Planting time
Chili peppers prefer to grow in relatively warm environments, with the optimal growing temperature between 20 and 30°C. Generally, sowing can be carried out from March to July.
2. Seedbed preparation
Before sowing, spread nutrient soil on the seedbed and water it thoroughly, ensuring that the soil layer 6-10 cm deep is moist, i.e., water it thoroughly. After the water has seeped in, sprinkle a layer of finely sifted nutrient soil as seedbed soil, with a thickness of 0.2-0.3 cm.
3. Seed treatment
The main steps are disinfection and germination. After disinfection, seeds can be soaked in warm water for 8 hours. Then, wrap the soaked seeds in a damp gauze or towel and place them in a place at around 25°C to germinate. Spray water twice a day. When 70% of the seeds show signs of sprouting, they can be sown.
4. Exercise in a well-ventilated area
After the chili seedlings emerge, ventilation can be combined with appropriate cooling. During the day, the temperature should be controlled between 23℃ and 25℃, and the bed temperature should not exceed 30℃ during the day. At night, the temperature should be controlled between 15℃ and 17℃. When the chili seedlings have developed their terminal buds, in order to ensure the smooth growth and unfolding of the first true leaf, the temperature needs to be increased. The daytime high temperature should be controlled at 30℃, and the afternoon temperature can be controlled at 22℃ with a curtain. At the same time, ventilation should be started to train their ability to withstand low temperatures.
5. Post-emergence topdressing
Apply fertilizer 14 days after sowing. Sprinkle organic fertilizer around the plant, avoiding contact with the roots to prevent fertilizer burn. Cover with a thin layer of soil after fertilizing. After about 20 days of growth, thin out the seedlings, discarding those with yellowed cotyledons and selecting only one robust seedling with a thick stem.
