Preparation of pepper seeds for planting on seedlings is the most important stage for cultivation of quality shoots.
How to prepare pepper seeds for seedlings?
First of all, it is necessary to carefully select the seeds. To do this, they are dipped in a three-percent solution of common salt for 7 minutes. Some of the seeds will float to the surface. They will need to be discarded, since they are unsuitable for use. Seeds left on the bottom, get out, well washed, spread on paper for drying.
For the seeds of pepper is characteristic that they quickly lose their germination. To influence a situation, before landing in a ground spend their preliminary processing one of the following methods:
- etching;
- microelement processing;
- germination;
- bubbling;
- hardening.
In such ways, you can prepare the seeds of sweet or hot pepper for seedlings. Let's consider each of the methods separately.
Etching seeds of pepper
The seeds are sorted by size and placed for 20 minutes in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate or a 10% solution of hydrogen peroxide. After that, they are washed in running water and dried. An additional advantage will be the treatment of seeds with a solution of " Epin " or "Zircon". Etching of pepper seeds is carried out immediately before sowing.
Treatment of pepper seeds with microelements
This method is carried out 1-2 days before sowing. Seeds of pepper are laid out in pouches of gauze, which are lowered into a solution with trace elements. After 12-24 hours, the seeds are removed and dried.
Another option would be to place gauze pouches with seeds in a solution of wood ash (2 grams per liter of water), which contains many nutrients. The solution is insisted for 24 hours, then the seeds are lowered for 3 hours.
Germination of pepper seeds for seedlings
This is the fastest way to get shoots. Seeds are disinfected, then put in moistened gauze and left in a warm place for a day. They begin to germinate, and they are immediately sown in a moist soil. If the soil is dry, the seeds may not allow sprouting.
Bubbling seeds of pepper
The bubbling of pepper seeds is carried out 1-2 weeks before sowing. The high capacity is filled with water, the temperature of which is 20-22 ° C. A very good effect can be obtained by using thawed or rainwater. On the tank place the tip from the aquarium compressor . Since the appearance of the bubbles, the seeds are lowered into the water. They are left for 2-3 days, then they are removed and dried in the sun.
Hardening of pepper seeds for seedlings
Hardening of pepper seeds can be carried out in two ways:
- The disinfected seeds are soaked in warm water. When they swell, they are placed for 2-3 days in a cold place, where the temperature should not exceed 1-2 ° C. Then, the seeds are dried.
- The second method consists in influencing the seeds of variable temperatures. One day they are kept at a temperature of 20-24 ° C,
and others at a temperature of 2-6 ° C. Such temperature regimes for seeds alternate for 10-12 days.
In addition, some gardeners use the method of heating the seeds of pepper in hot water. To do this, they are placed in a thermos filled with water, the temperature of which is 50 ° C. But most of the opinions are that heating should not be used for the seeds of sweet and hot pepper.
Thus, having the necessary knowledge about the methods of preparing pepper seeds for seedlings, you can get quality shoots.