by Peppercorns, packaged in packs of 5-10 pieces, are like precious stones. You want to get the maximum benefit from each one. That is why it is even more offensive when they do not sprout or give three sprouts per ten seeds. Why does this happen and how to improve the germination of pepper?
Pepper is considered a slow-germinating crop, and according to some gardeners, it is also capricious. Before sprouting, the seeds can remain in the soil for quite a long time, showing no signs of life.
The average period from sowing seeds to emergence of shoots is 12-18 days, but in “difficult” cases it can take three weeks or more. We figure out what determines the speed of seed germination, what mistakes can lead to a delay in the period and how to avoid them.
Poor quality seeds
A good pepper harvest begins with the selection or preparation of the “right” planting material. Seeds collected in the previous season from well-ripened fruits and stored in optimal conditions will give excellent germination.
Moreover, the more time passes from the moment of collecting the seeds, the worse they germinate. It is believed that pepper seeds retain good germination in the first two years, then this indicator decreases significantly, and after 4 years it disappears altogether.
Proper storage and transportation are of great importance. High-quality shoots can only be obtained if seeds are stored at a temperature of 10-18°C and humidity no higher than 60% – overheating, excessive drying or too high humidity can lead to complete sterility of seeds.
Buy seeds only from trusted producers, be sure to check the date of collection and expiration date, take into account the recommendations for the growing zone. When collecting on your own, use fruits from the healthiest and most productive bushes, after drying, put the seeds in paper bags or containers with perforations for ventilation.
Insufficient pre-sowing treatment
Low germination is not always due to poor quality seeds – sometimes the reason is the gardener’s lack of experience and the associated improper preparation for sowing.
Dry pepper seeds germinate much more slowly than those that have undergone preliminary treatment. To obtain friendly and healthy shoots, the seeds are disinfected by soaking for 20-30 minutes in a 0,5% solution of potassium permanganate (1 g per 200 ml of water). After that, they are washed under running water and immersed for several hours in a nutrient solution based on ash, nitrophoska (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water) or liquid sodium humate.
To obtain maximum germination after all the “water procedures” it is advisable to germinate the seeds by wrapping them in a damp cloth and placing them in a low container for 2-3 days. Sometimes, to strengthen the immune system, they are also hardened, alternating between warm and cold conditions during germination.
Seeds coated or disinfected by the manufacturer do not require additional processing – they can be embedded in the soil dry. In the case of such material, soaking or hardening can lead to the opposite result than what you expected – the seeds will sprout slowly or will not sprout at all.
Unsuitable soil
The fertility of the soil for growing peppers is not as important as the degree of its air permeability. In a light, loose substrate, pepper seeds will sprout within the timeframe stated by the manufacturer, but in dense clay soil they may not sprout at all, because they will not receive enough oxygen for life.
Peppers should be sown in high-quality nutritious soil, which can be purchased at a garden center or prepared independently. In the first case, choose specialized soil for seedlings or for nightshade crops.
If you decide to make the substrate yourself, you can take the following components:
- deoxidized peat, sand and turf soil in a ratio of 2:1:1;
- purchased soil for seedlings, humus and perlite (or vermiculite) in equal parts;
- turf soil, mature compost and river sand in a ratio of 2:1:1.
Don’t forget to add 1 cup of wood ash for every 10 liters of soil mixture – for deoxidation and additional feeding of future seedlings. Remember that pepper likes neutral or slightly alkaline soil with a pH level of 6,5-7,5.
Incorrect seeding depth
The general rule when sowing any crops: the seed must be planted to a depth equal to two of its diameters. For pepper, the optimal planting depth is 0,5-1 cm. If you sprinkle the seeds with too thick a layer of soil, some of them will die without sprouting, while others will produce thin shoots that will lose a lot of strength trying to reach the light. If you do not plant the seeds in the soil at all, they risk drying out and not sprouting either.
The crops are sprinkled with slightly moistened soil, without compacting it too much and in no case flooding it with water – an overly wet substrate will hinder the access of oxygen to the seeds, and therefore reduce the chances of germination.
Be sure to cover the containers with transparent cling film, a lid or glass to create a greenhouse effect, but do not forget about daily airing of the crops – remove the lid (film) once or twice a day, carefully removing the accumulated condensation.
Low temperature
Pepper seeds germinate most quickly at a temperature of 25-27°C – with such a content of crops (and compliance with other agricultural requirements), shoots can appear in 5-7 days. If the thermometer in the room drops below 18°C, seed germination will slow down.
The process is also adversely affected by sudden temperature changes and drafts. Therefore, it is advisable not to place containers near a window that is often opened for ventilation – otherwise you may not see any sprouts at all.
Pay special attention to lighting. Until the moment of hatching, the crops can be kept in a shaded place, but as soon as the shoots appear, they need to be provided with bright light. For harmonious development, pepper needs at least 14 hours of daylight, so when sowing early in January-February, it is necessary to illuminate it with a phytolamp.
Watering errors
A necessary condition for successful germination of peppers is moderate soil moisture without drying out or excessive dampness. In the first couple of days, the soil with embedded seeds does not need to be watered – the moisture received initially will be enough for them. Then you need to make sure that the soil does not dry out and become crusty, as this will be detrimental to the sprouted sprouts.
Before the shoots appear, the soil is moistened with settled water at room temperature (23-25°C) from a spray bottle. The ideal option would be melted or rain water, if you have the opportunity to “get” such.
After germination, it is recommended to water the seedlings about once a week, carefully applying water under the root from a syringe or syringe without a needle, so as not to damage the delicate stems. Watering through the tray or along the wall of the container is also allowed.
Pepper is a capricious but beloved crop by all gardeners. Regardless of whether you want to grow sweet peppers in a greenhouse or spicy hot ones on a windowsill, start with proper preparation and competent sowing of seeds. Then you will have every chance of getting an excellent harvest!
