Chilli, often known as Wonder Spice, is one of the most important commercial spice crops as they come in a wide variety of colours, sizes, tastes & spice-levels. Chilies can be an annual ( replanted each year) or perennial (grow back on their own). Moreover there are three general types of chili i.e. sweet, hot and ornamental.
Chilli pepper, is a member of the Capsicum genus in the Solanaceae family. Peppers are popular because they generate a large crop in a short amount of time.
Let's take a look at the top ways to increase chili pepper production.
Soil and Climate Conditions
Chili is a tropical and subtropical plant that thrives in hot, humid conditions with temperatures between 20 and 25°C. It is a rainfed crop that is grown in locations with 25-30 inches of yearly rainfall. Peppers can be grown in a variety of soils, but the best are sandy loam, clay loam, and loamy soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7. Pepper cultivation is not appropriate in acidic soil.
Pepper Plant Growing Tips
Pepper plants thrive in a wide range of soil conditions. They do best in rich organic soil, but they don't require special care. Bear in mind that you will need to fertilize your plants if your soil conditions are poor.
Pepper Plant Fertilization
Pepper prefers potassium over nitrogen. Also, remember to water and mulch your pepper plants. Over time, the mulch will enrich your soil and keep the plant from drying out.
Although pepper plants require a lot of water, do not overwater them; the soil should be free of drainage.
Fertilizers will assist the Peppers in maintaining a steady supply of critical nutrients.
Flower and Fruit Development
The first blossoms appear 4-6 months after seeding, depending on the variety of Pepper. You can turn it into a blooming fertilizer with more potassium and phosphorus at this point. For instance, tomato fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 7-3-10 might be beneficial. Trace elements affect plants directly and support soil life.
Faster Growth of Pepper Plant
Pepper plants need 60 to 120 days to mature from seed to fruit. You may grow peppers quicker if you sow seeds early and keep them warm until they germinate. Make sure to provide the appropriate amount of water under the appropriate environmental conditions to your plant. As long as the weather is warm, plant your seeds early, keep them warm, and use season extensions or indoor lights to help them germinate faster. Peppers require a lot of sunlight.
Watering the Pepper Plant
Peppers will develop to a large size if you water and care for the plant regularly. The stronger the spice, the bigger they are. The majority of pepper plants perish due to inadequate watering. The plants will recover faster after watering if this happens for a short time. Peppers are more vulnerable to stagnant dampness.
