Content
Intro
If you've been wanting to grow hot peppers indoors but didn't know where to start, this post is for you!
Growing hot peppers from seed is an excellent and fun way to get into gardening. The best part? You can do it indoors! It's also an easy project for any skill level. If you're just starting out, don't worry about getting all the steps right- no one expects perfection when they start something new.
Growing hot peppers in pots can be done on a balcony or patio (or even indoors), and it's easier than ever with the correct information.
Hot peppers can add a lovely spicy crunch to any dish, so I'm excited that you are thinking about growing them yourself!
Choosing The Pot
First, pick out a pot. A three-gallon pot will be big enough for a pepper plant. It's important to know what type of container you can use for a hot pepper pot. You'll need something with drainage holes in the bottom that will accommodate the height of your plants. If your pots don't have any holes, be sure to poke some! The best containers are those made out of plastic or clay. Terracotta pots are another option, but they tend to dry out too quickly, so you'll need water more often. They also crack when left out in the cold.
Starting Pepper Seeds
How to Germinate Hot Pepper Seeds
Using soil blocks is an excellent way to start your seeds. Make your soil blocks, add them to a clear plastic container, and place them in a sunny location or under grow lights. Using a plastic container with a lid will create condensation so your seeds will stay moist and they will not need to be watered continually. Doing this will ensure that your seedlings will not be leggy when they germinate because they will have light soon after germination. When seedlings don't get the sunlight or grow light, they will grow tall and skinny. These will not be healthy or strong seedlings.
Using a heat mat will also help your seedlings to germinate. Pepper seeds germinate best in temperatures from 75 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preparing The Soil Mix
I prefer to make a soil mix myself, but you may also choose a good potting soil. I like Happy Frog Potting Soil. It's essential to make sure you use a potting mix if you buy soil. Buying potting soil will get expensive. Well-draining soil is vital for growing in pots. Peppers are heavy feeders and need well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter.
A good soil mixture is one part compost, one part coco coir, and one part perlite. I add six tablespoons of greensand, six tablespoons of bone meal, six tablespoons of blood meal, and three tablespoons of azomite to the mix. This is what I use for a three-gallon container.
Sunlight Requirements
You will need full sun for peppers which means at least six hours of sun.
Water Requirements
Water at least twice a week. If you start having problems with leaf curl or blossom end rot, try watering more often.
Hot Pepper Nutrition
The most striking thing about hot pepper nutrition facts is that, in addition to being low in calories and fat, these spicy peppers are also packing vitamins A (really good for eyesight), B6 (one of the main ingredients used by your body to create energy from food) & C. With only 2% of daily value's worth of carbs or protein per serving size- which leaves a lot more room on our plates for other delicious foods like fruits and vegetables!
There are also many other benefits to hot pepper health such as their energy levels which are at 318 Kcal per serving size. It's not only the nutritional value that makes them so amazing though; they're rich in taste too with its spicy kick being just what you need for your food or drink recipes from scratch like salsa, sauces, dressings, and more.
Phytochemicals are the chemicals found in plants, that give the plants their bright colors. These compounds provide plant protection against predators and environmental stressors, like insects or diseases that they may come into contact with. This means plating is a must! Phyto-nutrients in hot peppers include carotene, lutein zeaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin.
FAQ
Are Hot Peppers a Fruit?
All peppers are fruit. A fruit is defined as, the fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a flowering plant. They are often sweet and succulent with an intense flavor that is unique to each type.
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