Pepper Picking. Should I Do It?

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

In the central zone of Russia, pinching is used when growing pepper. Such agrotechnology contributes to obtaining a good harvest. Consider the methodology for this event and the feasibility of removing stepchildren

Stealing: pros and cons

Pepper, like other vegetable crops, is subject to pinching, although there is no consensus on this issue. Many argue that peppers bear fruit well and develop without interference from the outside. Some consider this action to be forced when the plant needs it for full growth and proper formation. And it is better to avoid this measure, so as not to injure and not stress the plant. By the way, some varieties of pepper cannot be pinned at all.

Experts believe that pinching the shoots contributes to the formation of the greatest yield. The result of the "operation" is the formation of a bush directed not at the vertical, but at an increase in volume due to lateral shoot formation. As a result, the amount of green mass decreases, and the strength of the plant is directed exclusively to feeding the fruiting part. As a result, the fruits are well filled, their quality increases and the collection increases. A positive result may be absent if the pinching rules are not followed. For example, the wrong number of shoots is deleted, the wrong date is chosen for the event, or there is no further care.

How to pinch correctly

The success of a pepper pinning enterprise largely depends on the moment the "operation" is made. It is necessary not to miss the time of the appearance of the first stepsons. This usually happens when the seedling has gained strength and begins to actively grow. During this period, the stem is already strong and has 9-11 leaves. Bushes are considered unprepared, the height of which has not yet reached 20-25 centimeters. Before starting the process, you need to carefully examine the stem, identify two or three of the strongest shoots. They will become the basis of the future "skeleton" and will contribute to the qualitative development of the crown of a bush that can bear fruit well in the future.

Correct pinching of pepper is carried out as follows: the top of the seedling is removed. As a result, the bush becomes more compact, with developing lateral shoots. The lower shoots are also cut off, and the strongest shoots remain in the upper part. The number of future fruitful branches should not exceed 4-5 pieces. The set goal is aimed at providing the forces of the abandoned stepchildren, as well as the ability to form the maximum number of ovaries and form high-quality fruits.

Pepper care after pinching

Competent pinching involves not only a one-day event for the formation of a seedling. In the future, there is a regular examination for the appearance of new stepsons. All of them must be removed.

Initially left shoots quickly gain strength and develop excellently. In this form, one pepper bush acquires the ability to produce 20-25 fruits, since a flower bud is formed at each branch. With such a large fruit formation, quality is not lost; the pinched plant has enough strength to make the collected peppers sweet and fleshy.

In the process of growth, there is a possibility of ejection of sterile or empty shoots. This helps to identify the regular inspection. All branches without ovaries deprive the plant of strength and therefore must also be docked. Weakened or injured branches fall into this category. Dead leaves are not needed, they deplete the plant, so they are also removed. All stimulating cleaning procedures must be carried out carefully, since the pepper plant is fragile and, with a rough touch, the branches easily break off.

If we talk about foliage, then removing it is important to increase yields. High foliage deprives the sun, disrupts air circulation, reduces the uniformity of heating of the soil and the plant itself.

An important point is the garter of the seedling, this is due to the fragility and fragility of the shoots and the stem itself. At the time of pouring the fruit, there is a threat not only of breaking off the branches, but also the trunk of the plant may break. A stake driven in next to it, specially mounted trellises will serve as a support.