Pepper growing. How to plant, grow and harvest pepper. 2/2

»Peppers are grown in seedbeds during the months of February and March in the northern hemisphere, and are transplanted approximately 2 months later into well-ventilated soil which is rich in organic matter. Seedlings should be placed in rows with a space of 40–50cm between each plant and 60–70 cm between rows.This plant requires ample heat and light. The optimum relative humidity varies from 50% to 70 %; the soil should be deep loamy-sandy soil which is rich in organic matter and well drained.The most common plant spacing is 1×0.5m although in some cases it may be reduced to as many as 3 plants /m2.Watering should be carried out moderately but on a consistent basis, drop irrigation is preferable due to the possible development of mould.Ridging is a technique that is used with this crop. It consists of heaping up soil to cover the neck of the plant and in this way improving both the stability of the plant, together with the growth of adventitious roots. This method prevents the stems from making direct contact with the water used for irrigation.Staking is also carried out in order to prevent the plants from falling over or the stems from snapping due to the weight of the fruit.There are two methods of staking, one consists of polypropylene lines or cords which are joined together to form a net, which then supports the plants and the Dutch system; which is where each of the stalks are left after pruning in order to shape the plants takes place. They are tied to a trellis with a vertical line which causes the plant to trail around itself as it grows.As pruning takes place the number of stalks is reduced to two or three. Any leaves or buds that appear below the cross of the plant should be eliminated. It is also advisable to get rid of any senescent or diseased leaves.At the end of the productive cycle de-budding of the plants is carried out along with leaf thinning. This is done to facilitate the ripening process with respect to the fruit which is left. It is also advisable to eliminate any fruit which appear at the first cross. This is done to ensure that the fruit obtained is of a better quality, shape, and comes to fruition earlier. This in turn will produce a better crop yield.The flower has a reproductive system which varies depending upon species and variety. This causes numerous intermediate situations between autogamy and allogamy and flower formation is largely conditioned by temperature. The pepper plant requires plenty of nitrogen during the first phases of growth, phosphorous is necessary when the first flowers appear and throughout the seed ripening process. Potassium is required in order to obtain early fruit colour and quality, and magnesium is needed during the ripening stage.The main plagues to affect peppers are white fly, plant lice, and thrips. Parasitoids and auxiliary fauna native to the area are used to biologically control enemy predators.The main diseases are White Rot, Grey Rot, Soft Rot and Wilt, and Bacterial Scabies.Harvesting will depend upon factors such as the variety grown, sowing and climate; which tends to be in the warm season.«