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Optimal soil temperature for germination is
28°C. The soil should be watered to keep it moist but not
waterlogged. Thin seedlings and feed with a soluble fertilizer
after their true leaves appear. Seedlings can be grown in either
trays or seedling beds: |
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Seedling tray method. Fill the holes with a sterilized medium that drains
well, such as peat moss, commercial potting soil, or a mixture
of sand, compost, and burnt rice hulls. We recommend a mixture
of 67% peat moss and 33% coarse vermiculite. Sow 1-2 seeds per
hole, thinning to keep the strongest plant. |
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Seedbed method. Choose a well-drained area not recently cropped
with a Solanaceous crop. Burning a 3-4 cm layer of rice straw
on the seedbed before sowing and forming a raised seedbed of
15 cm or higher to improve drainage might reduce soilborne disease
problems. Sow the seeds in rows approximately 6-cm apart. Cover
the bed surface with a thin layer of compost or rice straw mulch.
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"Damping-off" disease is due to
soil-borne fungi. Seedlings develop stem lesions and collapse.
If damping-off occurs, irrigate with a 0.25% (w/v) solution of
Benlate or a similar fungicide. |
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Insects, such as whiteflies, thrips, and aphids,
can transmit viruses to young pepper plants. Cover seedlings
with a net (60-mesh or finer) to prevent infestation. The net
will also protect seedlings from heavy rains. |
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