100% on soaking pepper seeds before planting them for seedlings

Growing peppers is a multi-stage process, the success of which depends on following all cultivation rules. Before planting, preliminary soil preparation is recommended. seed preparation, first of all, it is important to soak them properly if necessary.

It is advisable to combine this procedure with disinfection and saturation of raw materials with microelements using potassium permanganate, seed dressings, stimulants, wood ash, hydrogen peroxide and other effective agents.

There are ways to increase the viability of planting material through hardening and accelerating germination. All these measures help to produce strong seedlings, which decisively impacts the quality and volume of the harvest.

Do I need to pre-soak?

There is no consensus among vegetable growers on this issue:

• This procedure is definitely not necessary for coated or encrusted seeds. In industrial settings, they are coated with a special mixture containing fungicides, often insecticides, and nutrients necessary for germination and healthy seedlings. When coated, the coating layer on the seed is thick, while when encrusted, it is thin. These seeds have excellent germination rates (95-100%) if they haven't been stored for long. They should be sown dry, as soaking will wash off the protective coating.

  

• Soaking regular varieties speeds up the germination process, which is especially important in regions with short summers. In warmer climates, where even late-ripening varieties ripen well before frost, this procedure can be omitted. However, experienced gardeners advise against neglecting it for the following reasons:
  • seedlings appear 1-1.5 weeks earlier;
  • you can select 100% suitable planting specimens with strong sprouts;
  • Additional operations help strengthen the immune system and increase the crop's resistance to diseases and pests.

Algorithm for preparing planting material

Preparation includes selection of seed material, disinfection, saturation with microelements in a nutrient solution, soaking and (if necessary) hardening.

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Calibration

The seeds must be carefully selected. First, a visual assessment is necessary: ​​pour them out onto a piece of paper and select medium-sized specimens (the rest can be discarded). Then, soak them in a salt solution (1 teaspoon per 1 cup of water) for 5-7 minutes. Any that float to the surface can be discarded, and those that settle to the bottom should be rinsed with clean water and dried on paper.

Some gardeners deny the effectiveness of this method, claiming that even good seeds float. Incidentally, the moisture content of seeds from large producers (especially imported ones) can be reduced to an acceptable level for longer storage. Despite their good quality, they will also float. There's no need to test them for suitability.

Disinfection

The most popular solution for this procedure is potassium permanganate (manganese). Make a weak solution (1-2%), soak the seeds in it for 15-20 minutes, then remove them, rinse well, and dry.

Another effective remedy is Fitosporin-M. This modern microbiological preparation inhibits the growth of various fungal and bacterial pathogens. It is available in powder, paste, and liquid forms. It should be used according to the included instructions. The same applies to the complex seed treatment agent Vitaros (available as a water-suspension concentrate) and others.

Stimulation of growth and saturation with microelements

Soaking in a nutrient solution should also be done immediately before sowing. A long-tested and highly effective method among gardeners is soaking the seeds in a solution of wood ash, which contains over 30 microelements beneficial to plants.

The solution is prepared in advance: add 2 tablespoons of ash to a 1-liter jar, fill it with water, and let it steep for 24 hours, shaking occasionally. Then, pour off the resulting infusion without any sediment, soak the seeds in it for 4-5 hours, then remove and dry them on paper.

If micronutrient fertilizers are purchased for this purpose, they should be dissolved in warm (40°C) water. The solution temperature before immersion should be 20-22°C.

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Soaking

This process accelerates seed germination by softening their seed coats and awakening their vitality. They should be evenly distributed in the container over a damp cloth or cotton wool surface and covered with the same material to better retain moisture. Then, moisten everything with settled or "live" meltwater.

It's important to monitor the moisture level in the container by periodically wetting the cloth or cotton wool. The air temperature should be at least 25°C. If these important conditions are neglected during the lengthy seed soaking process, the seeds may become unusable.

As soon as the sprouts appear, you should immediately sow (both sprouted and swollen seeds are suitable).

Hardening

The treated and warmed seeds should be soaked in warm water until swollen, mixed with river sand or moistened sawdust (to prevent contamination of the seeds, it is recommended to boil the sawdust for 2-3 minutes beforehand, and heat the sand in an oven). They should then be kept moist for three days at 20-25°C, and then placed in the refrigerator for the same period or outdoors, where the temperature remains around 0°C.

The swollen seed material can be exposed to variable temperatures daily for 10-12 days: half a day at 20-24°C, half a day at 2-6°C.

The main process

There are different means used for soaking, but before using them it is better to first soak in ordinary water for 20-40 minutes.

In hydrogen peroxide

If seeds take a long time to germinate, they can rot in the soil. Slow-germinating seeds contain inhibitors—substances that slow down chemical reactions, preventing germination. These inhibitors are lost through oxidation.

Add 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to 0.5 liters of water. Then, spread the seeds on cheesecloth, cover them with this solution, and soak them for 24 hours, changing the water every 4-5 hours (to prevent them from suffocating). Rinse and dry after treatment.

In potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate (or simply potassium permanganate) is an excellent antiseptic. Potassium permanganate helps eliminate unwanted fungi and bacteria, ensuring healthy plant growth. Soaking in potassium permanganate is used before applying growth stimulants.

Dissolve 1-2 grams of potassium permanganate in 0.5 cups of water and soak the planting material in the resulting pink solution for no more than 20 minutes. Then carefully drain the solution, rinse, and dry the planting material until it becomes free-flowing.

IN Epiney

Epin is an industrial growth stimulant that increases the resistance of plants (including peppers) to negative environmental factors (lack of light, moisture deficit and excess, hypothermia and overheating, etc.).

Before use, warm the preparation in your hands, then shake and add 1-2 drops to 100 ml of boiled water at 20-23°C. Peppers should be soaked at the same temperature for 18-24 hours. Then drain and dry.

In gauze

A very simple method, but with its own nuances. Place a folded gauze pad in the bottom of a shallow, light-permeable container. Place the prepared seeds on top in a single layer, spaced a few millimeters apart. Moisten the pad and place in a warm place (the optimal temperature is 25-28°C). It's important to water the gauze pad regularly, but not overwater.

Before planting in peat tablets

To speed up the growth of pepper sprouts, it is recommended to wrap the seeds in a cloth after disinfecting them with a potassium permanganate solution, place the bundle in a thermos with 40-degree water, and seal it tightly overnight.

The next day, the contents should be removed, excess moisture should be removed from the seeds using a paper towel, and they should be placed in a warm place (for example, on a radiator) with an air temperature of at least 25°C.

Frequently asked questions about growing