Growing peppers in a greenhouse

Growing peppers in a greenhousepromotes faster fruit ripening and an increase in yields. This is because paprika is a thermophilic vegetable that requires a sunny position and adequate humidity. We discuss the next stages of growing paprika in a greenhouse, from preparing seedlings, throughplanting paprika in the greenhouseand the necessary care treatments, to harvesting the fruits of this vegetable.

Growing paprika in a greenhouse
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What land for growing peppers in a greenhouse?

There are variousmethods of growing paprika in a greenhouse , such as: growing paprika on straw bales, in bags or on mineral substrates.In amateur crops, however, peppers are usually grown simply in the ground.
To meet the highrequirements for growing greenhouse peppers , we must provide fertile, humus, permeable, slightly acidic soil ( pH 6-6.8). Peppers grown in a greenhouse respond well to organic fertilizers, so it is worth using manure or compost in the fall, which will decompose and fertilize the soil well by spring. These fertilizers are spread over the surface of the soil and then dug to the depth of one spade. Compost can also be applied in the spring, beforeplanting paprika seedlings in the greenhouse

Seedling greenhouse peppers

Peppers in our climatic conditionswe grow only from seedlings. The seedling of thermophilic vegetables, such as peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, can be easily prepared at home.
Pepper seeds are sown at the turn of February and Marchin boxes or pots filled with soil for sowing seeds.We place the containers in a sunny and warm place with a temperature of 22-28 ° C. To ensure adequate air humidity, we can cover the containers with glass or foil.The ideal for the production of pepper seedlingsis a mini home greenhouse, which can be placed on the window sill.If we sowed the seeds in the box, remember to pierce the seedlings into individual pots. We do this when the plants have produced 2-4 true leaves. Remember to air the seedlings regularly and water them.

Paprika seedlings ready for planting in the greenhouse
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Planting peppers in a greenhouse

The pepper seedlings are planted in an unheated greenhousein the first half of May as deep as the plants grew in pots. Depending on the habit, we plant 5-8 plants per 1 m². Mulching the soil with black polyethylene film or black agrotextile will effectively reduce the occurrence of weeds, increase soil temperature and reduce water evaporation from the substrate.
Under the covers, the best varieties of short peppers, which do not require ties. If you are growing tall peppers, they need to be grown against supports. It is best tolead the paprika along the stringsWe wrap the string around the plant and tie it to the wires stretched along the greenhouse.

Peppers in a greenhouse mulched with agrotextile
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It is worth knowing that tomatoes can be planted next to peppers in a greenhouse, because these vegetables have a positive effect on each other. Herbs will be a good company for both peppers and tomatoes. I especially recommend basil, which repels some pests of tomatoes and peppers, and also improves the taste of their fruits.

Watering peppers in the greenhouse

Peppers have high water needs.We start watering the peppers in the greenhouseabout 5 days after planting the seedlings.We give the plants time to reach for water into the deeper layers of the substrate, which will improve their rooting. Depending on the weather conditions (e.g. sunlight and temperature in the greenhouse), we should water the plants every 3-4 days.
A sensitive period is the momentflowering and setting of paprika fruitsWater shortage during this time, they may result in the dropping of flowers and fruit buds.
For watering peppers, use water at ambient temperature , because cold water can cause a shock to plants, which is manifested, among others, by dropping flowers and fruit buds or inhibition of growth. It is best if it is rainwater or standing tap water.

Paprykau grown in a greenhouse requires regular watering
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Fertilizing peppers in the greenhouse

Pepper has high nutritional requirements.Top dressing of peppers in the greenhouseis done for the first time 3-4 weeks.after planting the plants and then during fruit setting. We use 10 g of ammonium nitrate per 1 m². At the beginning of flowering, we also use potassium sulphate at a dose of 10 g per 1 m² of growing area.
Instead of sprinkling granulated fertilizers,paprika fertigation in the greenhouse , i.e. watering the paprika with a solution of dissolved fertilizer in the water. This will allow you to combine watering with fertilizing. We start this method of fertilizing paprika in the greenhouse 2-3 weeks after planting the seedlings, when the plants manage to root well.In amateur cultivation of paprika in the greenhouse, we recommend using liquid organic fertilizer for vegetables or natural biohumus. These fertilizers diluted with water for irrigation do not pose a risk of over-fertilization.

It is also a very good ideawatering paprika with diluted nettle manureFor this purpose, you can buy ready-made nettle fertilizer available in gardening stores or prepare the liquid manure yourself.To prepare the nettle slurry on your own, pour 10 liters of water over a kilogram of fresh herb and leave it for 3-4 weeks in a shady place. The solution should be mixed every few days. It will start foaming first, and when the foam is gone, it is a sign that the fermentation process is complete and the slurry is ready for use.Dilute the liquid manure 1:20 with water before watering the peppers . Nettle will provide peppers with large doses of nitrogen, fertilize the soil, and when used as a spray, it can also prevent diseases and pests of peppers.

Of course, peppers can also be watered with mineral fertilizers dissolved in water. For this purpose, we only use fully soluble fertilizers, such as: ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate or calcium nitrate. It should be remembered that the most effective uptake of nutrients by the roots is related to a sufficiently moist soil and proper photosynthesis.Thereforepaprika fertigation in a greenhouse is best done 1-2 hours after sunrise

Foliar fertilization of peppers in the greenhouse

Pepper has a high demand for calcium, the deficiency of which may result, among others, in: poor rooting of plants, thin fruit walls and the occurrence of dry fruit rot, which is a frequent cause of rotting paprika on the bush. It is therefore advisable tospray the paprika with a solution of calcium nitrateIf the plants are poorly branching, you can also supplement them with nitrogen fertilizers. Foliar fertilization of paprika with potassium, magnesium or microelements is used only in the case of deficiencies of these ingredients. We finish foliar fertilization when the plants begin to bloom.
To intensify the nutrient uptake of plants, spray them after the leaves are dry. We do not spray the peppers in the evening, as this will increase the air humidity and expose the plants to disease.We must also make sure thatdo not spray the peppers with fertilizers in strong sunlight , because the plants may get burned.

Spraying peppers in the greenhouse
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Pollination of paprika in a greenhouse

No mechanical pollination is used in the cultivation of peppers in the greenhouse.We can possibly shake the wires to which the strings are tied, causing the pollen to fall off more intensively. Unlike cucumbers, the use of bumblebees for pollination does not increase the yield.

Pruning peppers in the greenhouse

Cutting peppers is a mustif we want to get a rich and he althy harvest. Removing the excessively growing mass of green leaves of the pepper will allow for better lighting of the fruit and will protect the plant against the risk of many diseases.
By trimming the pepper, leave2-4 shoots growing from the main fork.Trim the side shoots in such a way that each branch has one leaf and a part of the side shoot with a leaf and a fruit set. It is imperative to remove the flower growing in the first fork, because if left it inhibits the growth of the plant.For evenly fruiting paprika, pruning should be carried out regularly every 14 days

Ripening paprika fruits
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After the first harvestremove all the lower leaves from the main shootto the first branch. In this way, the pepper fruits are better illuminated. About 40 days before the end of the harvest, remove all flowers and cut the tops of the shoots above the 2-3 leaves above the last bud. This way we will accelerate the growth of the remaining fruits.

Harvesting peppers in a greenhouse

We start harvesting peppers in the greenhouse12-14 weeks after planting. We pick the fruit when it is physiological maturity or when it is still green, but fully developed.The harvested fruit can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or 2-3 days at room temperature. The best conditions for longer (up to 4 weeks) keeping the fruit are in a dark place with a temperature of approx. 10 ° C.

MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak