Description
Description For Capsicum Seeds
How To Grow Capsicum From Seeds:
Introduction and Uses: Capsicum is also known as Simla Mirch or Bhopli Mirchi. Did you know that Capsicum is used to make medicines too? These plump, bell shaped, crunchy vegetables can easily grow in different types of climate. Loaded with Vitamins A, B6, C and K, carotenoids, dietary fiber and folate Bell pepper helps to lower homocysteine levels, and reduces the risk of heart disease considerably.
Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum
Sowing Season: Throughout the year.
Sowing method: Transplantation.
First harvest: 10 to 12 weeks
Because the seeds are small, Capsicum plant is grown by transplantation method. Seeds are first sown indoors in seedling trays or outdoors on seed beds. Later the seedlings are transplanted into containers or in raised beds.
Sowing container: Seedling trays/ seed cups/ small polybags/ Seed bed.
Sowing medium: Coco Peat (Indoors), Fine soil (Outdoors)
STEPS FOR SEED SOWING (SEED STARTING) IN A CONTAINER:
Sowing Technique:
Covering: Keep the seed tray in a box or cover it with paper for first 4-5 days to encourage faster seed germination.
Watering:
GROWTH STAGES OF CAPSICUM PLANT:
Sprouting Stage: Seeds will germinate within first 6-8 days or so & tiny sprouts will be visible. Once seeds germinate, put the tray in an open partially sunny spot near the window. Don’t cover the tray anymore.
Cotyledons: The early two leaves will emerge from the second week of germination. These are false leaves called as cotyledons.
First leaves: First leaves will emerge above cotyledons at the end of the second week. These are Capsicum’s original compound leaves.
Seedling stage: Second week onwards, seedlings will start growing into a small plant. At this stage exposé the seedlings to more & more sunlight for leaf growth.
Thinning: After the second week, keep only single seedling per cell/cup. Cut off the weak, small & lagging seedlings with a pair of scissors.
Transplantation:
Spacing: Plant the seedlings minimum 2 feet apart (60×60 or 60×45 cm) from each other on raised beds. Plant only single seedling at the centre of a single regular 8-12 inch pot.
HOW TO TAKE CARE FOR CAPSICUM PLANT:
Sunlight: Capsicum plants require full sunlight in winter & partial sunlight in summer. Therefore, place your raised beds & potted plants according to season.
Watering: Water your potted Capsicum plant every day in summer & every other day in winter. Water at the soil near the plant. Use a watering can and make sure that the plants get water in the form of a shower & not by a single flow. You can also make provision for watering by drip irrigation system for your raised beds. Avoid overwatering.
Manuring: Add good quality organic manure in the soil with 2:1 ratio before transplanting the seedling. Organic fertilizer can be well rotten , farmyard manure, compost or vermicompost.
Plant care: Always look for the early signs of any insect/fungal/ any other infections. Spray appropriate medicines as soon as any symptoms of such diseases are spotted.
Support: Support your Capsicum plant by tying its main stem to a single erect stick buried in the soil near the plant. With this support, your plant will stay upright.
Pinching/Topping: Pinch out the apical (top) growing point of Capsicum plant when it is 2 months old to encourage new and uniform side growth. This will increase the chilly production. Also, pinch off any diseased leaves & branches immediately.
Harvesting: Capsicum plant will start flowering at the end of 3rd month. Capsicum can be harvested 70 to 80 days from the sowing of seeds. If proper care is taken. Harvesting season can continue for 4-5 months or more.
