How to determine when to transplant peppers after germination?

Pepper seeds sown in late winter or early spring quickly sprout, and then the seedlings undergo an important agricultural procedure: picking. This laborious process has its advantages and disadvantages. Particular care is required, as the root system of this vegetable crop is very delicate and has a weak ability to regenerate.

It's important to know when to transplant peppers after germination, as the optimal timing (which can be verified using the lunar calendar) combined with proper growing techniques will allow the plant to withstand this stressful process with relative ease. Furthermore, replanting overgrown peppers can be challenging, and separating the intertwined roots without damage is virtually impossible.

Pros and cons of the procedure

Advantages of transplanting seedlings into individual containers:

• soil that is not absorbed by the roots becomes acidic, and using the optimal volume of substrate in a compact container during this procedure allows you to avoid this;
• saving space in the early stages of growing seedlings;
• culling weak, diseased, underdeveloped specimens and selecting the strongest and healthiest seedlings that are capable of producing a good harvest in the long term;
• formation and intensive growth of lateral roots in transplanted plants, which can obtain moisture and essential nutrients from the upper fertile soil layer;
• gradual increase in the feeding area due to replanting (this is more rational for the development of the plant).

Flaws:

• slowing of plant growth and development due to damage to the root system, and as a result of disruption of the integrity of the taproot, decreased drought resistance (since the root obtains moisture from the lower layers of the soil);
• increased vulnerability of plants to diseases and the likelihood of transmission of viral diseases through tools, hands and new soil;
• labor intensity of the procedure;
• possible change in fruiting periods.

Planting and caring for pepper seedlings before picking

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Sprouted pepper seeds, disinfected for half an hour in a pink solution of potassium permanganate, can be sown in a general-purpose potting soil in late February or early March. The container should have drainage. The soil should be thoroughly watered before sowing.

Sow in holes 1.5 cm deep and spaced 3-5 cm apart to avoid damaging the tender seedlings when transplanting. After sowing, carefully fill the holes with soil, sprinkle the surface of the soil with warm water, cover the container with plastic wrap, and place in a warm, draft-free location (25-28°C). After 4 days, water the soil again.

Seedlings should appear approximately 6-10 days after sowing the seeds. Place the container in a bright location and remove the plastic wrap. Supplemental lighting will be needed (to ensure 12-14 hours of daylight) and the air temperature will need to be lowered to 20°C for 2-3 days (then maintain the temperature between 22-25°C).

Watering should be moderate, but avoid allowing the soil to dry out. It is recommended to use settled, room-temperature water. Avoid cold water, as it will stunt the plant's growth.

How to determine when it is time to transplant peppers after germination

Young plants are usually ready for transplanting after 3 weeks of sowing. To determine exactly when it's time transplant pepper seedlings, it's essential to monitor its development. The appearance of the third true leaf (excluding cotyledons) will be a signal to act. It's also common to transplant immature seedlings at the cotyledon stage or overgrown ones with 4-6 true leaves.

A delayed relocation is also not recommended, as plants planted too closely together in the same container will begin to crowd each other with their leaves and intertwine with their roots. These roots will become elongated and weakened, complicating subsequent replanting. Furthermore, the developed root system can be stressed for a long time by such actions. It can also be damaged during removal from the old pot, resulting in insufficient water and nutrients reaching the aboveground portions. All this will impact growth and ultimately the productivity of the future pepper crop.

Recommended timing for the procedure

The picking time depends on the sowing time, which is determined based on local climate conditions and the variety's early maturity. The lunar calendar also helps.

In the greenhouse

These works are carried out from mid-April to June 10. In central Russia, the climate allows peppers to be planted in unheated greenhouses starting in the second ten days of May.

Transplanting into the greenhouse occurs when the seedlings reach 55-65 days of age. Within a couple of months, depending on the variety, the peppers should reach a height of 20-30 cm. Plants with 6-7 pairs of bright green leaves, a strong, non-woody stem with short internodes, and several buds are considered ready for greenhouse conditions.

On the windowsill

If the seeds were sown in the second ten days of February, the seedlings can be transplanted into individual pots as early as early March. The interval between these procedures is approximately 15-20 days.

During the waning moon, the reverse process occurs. Transplanting at this time is less effective. However, it is believed that the moon's presence in fertile zodiac signs (Cancer, Taurus, Capricorn, Pisces, Libra, and Scorpio) has a positive effect and can improve the situation. However, if the moon is in infertile signs (Aquarius, Leo, and Aries), it is best to postpone transplanting.

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It is not recommended to perform this procedure during the new moon (all nutrients accumulate in the roots) or the full moon (the energy is concentrated in the above-ground portion of the plant). You can focus on favorable dates regardless of where you grow your seedlings.

Rules and methods for diving

The most important rule when transplanting peppers is to avoid damaging their root system. Handling the seedlings should be done with extreme caution.

There's no need to plant the plant too deeply. It's best to plant it at its original level. A 1-1.5 cm layer of soil can be added. The cotyledons should definitely not be hidden under the substrate. The roots of the planted specimen should not be twisted.

A common method for transplanting peppers includes the following steps:

• a couple of hours before picking, you need to water the substrate generously to make it easy to remove the plants from it;

  

• Lightly compact the soil in the new container and make a depression in it that will accommodate the entire root;

  

• Carefully dig up the pepper with a spoon or stick (it's best to purchase special tools for this purpose) and remove it along with the soil. It's recommended not to hold the seedling by the stem, but rather by the root ball or cotyledons;

  

• free the root system from excess soil;

  

• Place the pepper in the hole so that the roots are freely positioned (bending and twisting, especially counterclockwise, can affect the development of the plant);

  

• fill with substrate, lightly compact the soil with your fingers at the base of the stem;
• water with warm water and leave away from bright light for 2-3 days.

  

The term "pricking out" also refers to pinching off the central root. However, since peppers are quite sensitive to various damages, pinching this particular plant isn't always advisable.

Many experienced gardeners sow this crop directly into individual cups. Over time, the seedlings require a larger container. In this case, transplanting is considered a gentler method, as the roots are not exposed and are not subject to mechanical damage.

The sequence of actions for this method is as follows:

• 2 days before the procedure, stop watering the seedlings so that the root ball can be easily removed from the container;
• secure the plant between your fingers, turn the container with the seedlings over and carefully shake them out along with the lump of earth;
• place in a more spacious container and fill the voids with nutritious soil mixture;
• water with warm, settled water.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Despite the special care required when transplanting peppers, the procedure itself is not very difficult and produces strong, productive plants. However, it's important to choose the optimal time for transplanting and create favorable conditions before and after.