Pepper in a snail - planting seedlings without picking

This method of growing seedlings involves placing the seeds in a special structure made of soil and plastic tape, rolled into a roll. This saves space, simplifies care, and promotes faster plant growth. To plant pepper seedlings in "snails," you'll need: pepper seeds, seedling soil, plastic tape, water, and a planting container.

10 simple steps:

1. Prepare all necessary materials.
2. Fill the planting container with soil to a depth of approximately 5 cm.
3. Moisten the soil with water.
4. Spread the pepper seeds evenly over the soil surface.
5. Roll the polyethylene tape into a roll approximately 10 cm wide and the same length as the planting container.
6. Pour a layer of soil about 2 cm thick onto the resulting “roll” and distribute it evenly over the entire surface.
7. Carefully transfer the “roll” into the planting container so that the seeds are at the bottom.
8. Spread the remaining soil over the entire surface of the “roll”.
9. Repeat these steps until the entire container is filled.
10. Moisten the soil again with water.

Cover the container with seedlings with film or glass, creating a greenhouse effect.

And now a detailed instruction for beginners.

What is a snail for seedlings?

A snail is a soft, rolled-up underlayment for laminate flooring. Its individual compartments allow you to sow dozens of seeds without worrying about the seedlings' roots becoming entangled. This method offers numerous advantages:

• the ability to control soil moisture and seed germination;
• Plants grown in a snail are less likely to stretch and are virtually disease-free. With proper care, the soil does not mold, and seedlings are less likely to be affected by blackleg;
• By using this method, you can avoid picking, which has a positive effect on both growth and yield;
• compactness - about 100 full-fledged plants can be grown in a snail with a diameter of 20 cm;
• low cost of construction and consumables.

Some gardeners note that the main drawback of snail sprouts is the elongation of seedlings, but even with other methods of germination, plants can become elongated due to over-watering of the substrate or insufficient lighting.

Technology

Vegetable growers prefer to grow pepper for seedlings At home. For this, the planting material is sown in the soil around the end of February or the beginning of March. For central Russia, planting takes place in the second half of March.

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Seed preparation

The germination and yield of the future harvest depend on the proper selection and preparation of seeds. If the planting material has already been treated, it can be sown directly into the soil. When purchasing regular seeds (or using home-grown ones), experienced gardeners recommend following these guidelines:

1. First of all, you need to select the right seed material.

   

2. The unpacked seeds are poured with distilled (melted) water to discard any that float to the surface, and left for 1 hour.
3. Prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate and place the planting material in it for disinfection.
4. The seeds are removed from the liquid and wrapped in a warm cloth. They should remain there for 24 hours.

After completing all procedures, you can begin preparing to plant the seeds.

Necessary materials

After preparing the seeds, you need to prepare a fertile soil mixture. It should be light and free of foreign matter. You can sift the soil through a garden sieve, then moisten it so that it forms a lump when squeezed in your hand. Next, begin preparing the basic materials for creating the snail:

1. The thickness of the porous polypropylene underlayment under laminate flooring should be approximately 2 mm. Polypropylene is an environmentally friendly material and can come into contact with food products.
2. You will need toilet paper (it is best to use two-ply).
3. To secure the structure, you can use a thin rope or elastic band.

   

4. You should prepare a container with water and a spray bottle.
5. For ease of sowing, you can use tweezers.
6. A bag or cling film will help create greenhouse conditions.
7. Prepare sawdust to prevent moisture accumulation. A plastic bucket or other food container can be used as a container. The diameter of the container should be 1-5 cm larger than the diameter of the snail.

Some vegetable growers use growth stimulants Epin or Enegen when sowing.

Agricultural technology of cultivation

First, the substrate is cut into strips approximately 10 cm wide. Toilet paper is laid on its surface, with the top edge of the substrate raised by 1.5 cm. The paper is moistened with water or a growth stimulant. The planting material is laid out, 4 cm from the edge of the strip. The distance between seeds should be at least 2 cm.

After 5-7 days, the snail is unrolled and the germination of the seeds is checked. If any seeds have not sprouted, they are replaced with new ones. Next, a substrate is spread over the entire surface of the tape, the layer of which should not exceed 1.5 cm. The soil is lightly compacted and moistened with a spray bottle. The substrate is rolled into a snail and secured. The bottom of the container is lined with a thin layer of sawdust, the snails are placed there, and generously watered with a spray bottle. The container is covered with plastic film, and after the seedlings appear, the film is gradually removed.

Planting in open ground

Growing crops in a snail is gaining popularity every year, as it allows you to grow healthy seedlings without picking.

Seven to ten days before planting in their permanent location, begin hardening off the seedlings by taking them outdoors. The initial "walks" should last no more than 20 minutes, then gradually increase the time.

After hardening, the plants will get used to outdoor conditions and will better tolerate transplantation.

The soil in the garden bed should be moderately fertile and light. A slightly acidic or neutral soil pH is best. Before planting the seedlings, loosen and level the soil thoroughly. Leave about 50 cm between rows and 40-45 cm between holes. Some vegetable growers use a denser planting pattern of 20x50 cm to avoid staking the plants. The plants support each other, so even a strong gust of wind will prevent the pepper plants from breaking.

The snail is transferred to the bed, carefully unrolled, and the seedlings are removed along with the root ball. Tall varieties are best planted in the center of the bed, while dwarf and short varieties should be planted at the edge. The plants should be planted at the same level they were in the snail. The seedling is buried in the hole, covered with soil, and lifted slightly to position the root correctly. After this, the soil around the plant is firmed and watered. Mulching the beds with dry soil or peat is recommended.

You can install arches over the bed, and to prevent the film from sagging, stretch twine between them on both sides.

Further care of plants

After planting, the crop needs 10-12 days to adapt to the new location.

At this time, the seedlings may appear weak and unhealthy. Even with minor damage to the root system, the plant will thrive in open ground. To promote rooting, you can lightly loosen the soil in the hole to provide fresh air for the roots. The main loosening of the soil can be done three weeks after planting.

Water carefully during the first few days, as too much water can cause rot, while too little can cause the seedlings to wilt. The best option is to moisten the soil around the stems daily, using 100-150 ml of water per plant. Regular watering can be resumed a week after planting.

This irrigation method has a positive effect on the taste of the harvest. During ripening, the plants are watered generously once every 5 days. Maintaining a consistent watering schedule will help you grow tasty, juicy, and plump peppers.

Among the many fertilizers available, vegetable growers favor phosphates and urea. Bird droppings and cow manure, diluted with water, are also used as fertilizer. Special fertilizers should be applied once the plant's problem has been identified:

• If the bush has acquired a purple tint, it lacks phosphorus;
• If burns appear on the foliage, there is most likely a potassium deficiency in the soil.

Frequently asked questions