When and what fertilizer to use for peppers (how often should you fertilize peppers?)

Generally speaking, pepper fertilization can be divided into two parts: base fertilizer and topdressing. Topdressing can be divided into topdressing during the seedling stage, topdressing during the flowering stage, and topdressing during the fruiting stage. The fertilizer used for each topdressing is also different, and it should be adjusted according to the growth stage of the pepper.

How often should peppers be fertilized?

The frequency of fertilizing peppers varies according to the growth stage of the peppers. Specifically, the closer to the peak fruit-bearing period, the higher the frequency of fertilization. In other words, the frequency of fertilizing peppers is increasing.

During the pepper seedling stage, if sufficient base fertilizer is applied, then top dressing is not necessary. If the base fertilizer is not sufficient, top dressing can be applied.

When peppers are in bloom, top dressing must be done at this time, because a lot of nutrients are needed before and after flowering. Therefore, top dressing should be done once during the flowering period, during flowering, and after flowering to ensure flower bud differentiation and increase the fruit setting rate in the later period.

The period from the peak fruit-bearing period to the harvest period of peppers is the time when peppers need to be fertilized most frequently. Because peppers are a crop that can be harvested multiple times, fertilizer should be applied while harvesting.

It is generally recommended to apply top dressing after each harvest to ensure the normal growth of the fruit in the later stage. Fertilization can only be stopped after the peppers are harvested.

Therefore, the number of times peppers are fertilized is not fixed, but increases according to the growth stage. The later the stage, the more times fertilization is needed. However, it should also be noted that the nutrients required by peppers at each stage are different.

What fertilizers are generally used for peppers to increase yield

Pepper is a crop that has relatively high demand for nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. During the growth process, the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium must be controlled, and fertilizer should be applied reasonably according to the growth stage.

①Base fertilizer

   The base fertilizer for peppers is mainly organic fertilizer and microbial agents. Organic fertilizer can be decomposed manure, or finished organic fertilizer can be selected. The amount is about 5,000 kilograms per mu, and deep plowing should be carried out after spreading.

This will ensure that the nutrient content in the soil is increased while maintaining the looseness of the soil.

The main purpose of adding microbial agents is to activate the soil, increase the content of beneficial bacteria, inhibit the development of harmful bacteria, promote the growth of pepper roots, and reduce the occurrence of soil-borne diseases.

② Topdressing during the seedling stage

   The amount of topdressing required in the seedling stage is relatively small, and generally balanced water-soluble fertilizer can be selected. Although peppers require nitrogen fertilizer, it should not be applied too much in the early stage, otherwise it will cause vigorous growth in the seedling stage and affect the differentiation of flower buds.

③ Topdressing during flowering period

   For topdressing during the flowering period of peppers, you can generally use a mixture of balanced water-soluble fertilizers and high-potassium water-soluble fertilizers. You can apply phosphorus fertilizer once before topdressing to ensure the quality of pepper flowering.

④ Topdressing during fruiting period

   After the peppers enter the peak fruit-bearing period, the amount of potassium fertilizer applied should be gradually increased, that is, high-potassium water-soluble fertilizer should be gradually used. In addition, attention should also be paid to the supplement of trace elements. Some chelated calcium can be sprayed to avoid physiological diseases.

In addition, peppers are Solanaceae crops and are chlorine-averse, so there are certain requirements when applying fertilizers. For example, chlorine-containing fertilizers such as potassium chloride, if used for a long time, may affect the growth and yield of peppers.