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Chili
Pepper Garden
skill level: easy
cost: $5-$20
craft time: 15-20 minutes to get the seeds planted
pepper seeds, 3-4 varieties--best varieties for
containers are Bermuda, Pueblo, and Thai peppers.
seed starting soil or a combination of 1/3 good garden/potting soil
(don't use clay soil), 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 sand (Hot pepper plants
due well in sandy soil as many varieties originate in areas with sandy
soil.)
peat pots, these are biodegradable pots that are wonderful for
transplanting
plastic wrap or a cheap plastic greenhouse from the nursery
large container for outdoor transplants
Soak seeds in warm water overnight to help seeds
germinate.
Fill the peat pots 1/4 inch from the top with soil.
Water thoroughly; let stand 2-4 hours.
Place 2-3 seeds per pot 1/4 inch deep.
Cover the peat pots with cling wrap and place in a sunny location (at
least six hours of sun). These seeds like hot places to germinate at
least 65.
Keep seeds moist, but do not soak.
Now sit back and relax, be patient, seeds can take 7 days or up to 5
weeks to germinate.
When seedlings start to show, remove the plastic wrap.
Once they begin to grow, cut the weaker seedlings off so the hardiest
can take over.
If any variety starts to grow tall and too "leggy", open the window
just a bit to shock the plant with cooler air. This will slow down
their growth and make their stem thicker and more conducive to
transplant.
Once the seedlings have at least two mature leaves, you're ready to
transplant.
Fill your large pot with the soil mixture.
Bury you peat pots in the soil. Plant the hardiest, one of each variety
in the pot. You don't have to remove the peat container. The roots will
grow right through it.
Once the weather is warm, move the pot outdoors.
Keep moist, harvest, and eat.
Maintenance
When
the plants start to blossom, spray with a weak solution of epsom salts.
This will provide magnesium to help the plants produce dark green
leaves and an lots of tasty peppers.
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