Capsicum Treasures Red

Plug Culture – 4 to 5 weeks
Stage 1 (days 1-7) Sow seed into 288 trays using a sterile and well-drained media with an EC of 0.5 or less (2:1 slurry). Maintain a temperature of 82-86 °F /28-30 °C (day) and 68 °F /20 °C (night). Optimum pH is 5.5 to 5.8. Lightly cover the seed with medium vermiculite and keep the soil moist but not saturated. Pepper also likes a high relative humidity

Stage 2 (days 8-14) The cotyledons are now visible and roots are beginning to form. Reduce relative humidity and maintain an air temperature between 65-70 °F/18-21 °C. A light feeding at 50-75 ppm nitrogen from a well-balanced calcium nitrate based formulation will strengthen the seedlings.

Stage 3 (days 15-25) The first true leaves are developed and roots are beginning to penetrate the media. Allow the media to dry slightly between irrigations to promote healthy root development. Increase the fertilizer rate to 100-150 ppm nitrogen once or twice per week to maintain an EC level between 0.75 and 1.0 (2:1 slurry). High fertilizer rates will have a negative impact on pepper seedlings, including stretchy growth and susceptibility to damping off.

Stage 4 (days 26-30/35) The plugs are now ready to transplant and should have 1-2 sets of true leaves.

Transplanting to shipping – 12 to 15 weeks

Containers: 4-inch (10 cm) to 1-gallon pots

Media: Select a sterile and well-drained media with a pH between 5.5 -6.3 and low in nutrients (EC level less than 1.0 mmhos 2:1 slurry).

Pinching: A pinch 3 weeks after transplant will result in a larger plant. However, unpinched plants make an acceptable product and allow for higher density. For pinched plants, please add an additional 2-3 weeks to the total crop time.

Spacing: Space 3 to 4 plants per square foot (34 to 44 plants per square meter).

Temperature: Optimum growing temperature is 75-86 °F/24-28 °C during the day and 65 °F/18 °C at night.

Fertilizer: Maintain the EC between 1.0 to 1.5 mmhos (2:1 slurry) by applying 200 ppm of nitrogen as needed from a well balanced calcium nitrate based formulation. The use of Cal/Mag formulations like 15-5-15 work well to supply adequate amounts of magnesium. Excess fertilizer rates both reduce and delay flowering and fruit set.

Moisture: Maintain the plants evenly moist but not saturated. To prevent checking growth and early fruit shriveling never allow the plants to dry out. Peppers like high relative humidity which is also important for winter production.

Growth regulators: Not needed but B-9 is effective at 25%.

Lighting: Ornamental peppers tolerate high levels of light, which helps the pigmentation of the fruit. Cool nights and warm days combined with plenty of direct sunlight produces the best crop.

Pests and Diseases: Aphids and leaf spot

Crop Scheduling: In general, 17-20 weeks from sowing