When is the best time to cross chili peppers

Chili cutting is usually done when the plant grows to 15-20 centimeters high, at which point the lateral branches have not yet lignified and do not affect the growth of the main stem. Cutting too early can damage seedlings, while cutting too late can consume nutrients. The main influencing factors include variety characteristics, climatic conditions, plant growth, cultivation methods, and pest and disease conditions.

1. Variety characteristics

There are significant differences in branching ability among different pepper varieties. Early maturing varieties usually have fewer branches and can be crossed after the main stem buds appear; Late maturing varieties have strong branching and should be removed promptly when the lateral branches grow to 5-8 centimeters. Line peppers need to retain 2-3 strong lateral branches at the base, while lantern peppers often use single stem pruning.

2. Climate conditions

High temperature and high humidity environments can accelerate lateral bud germination, and it is necessary to cross the tree 3-5 days in advance; Drought prone areas can be postponed appropriately. During continuous rainy and overcast weather, it is recommended to temporarily stop crossing and wait for sunny days to avoid wound infection. In spring, greenhouse cultivation should be done after the dew has dried in the morning, and it is recommended to avoid strong sunlight at noon for open field cultivation.

3. Plant Growth

Strong plants can retain 1-2 lower lateral branches, while weak seedlings need to be crossed early to concentrate nutrients. When the main stem is found to be bent or excessively long, it should be fixed with a fork for hanging the vine. During the flowering period, crossing should avoid the nodes below the first inflorescence to prevent flower drop.

4. Cultivation Method

Close planting cultivation requires strict single stem pruning, and double stems can be retained if the plant spacing is greater than 40 centimeters. Scaffold cultivation should be forked before tying vines, and ground climbing cultivation requires regular cleaning of the inner branches. Organic planting can retain some lateral branches to enhance stress resistance.

5. Disease and pest situation

Areas with high incidence of diseases should be crossed early to improve ventilation. When the pest infestation is severe, prevention and control measures should be taken before operation. Plants with viral diseases should be treated with separate tools, and wounds can be treated with plant ash to prevent bacteria. After cutting the continuous cropping plot, it is recommended to spray biological agents to prevent diseases. After crossing, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied to promote wound healing, keep the soil moist but avoid water accumulation. Timely clean up residual branches in the field to reduce the source of disease, and disinfect tools with alcohol before and after use. Observe the plant response, and if wilting occurs, spray alginate foliar fertilizer to restore growth. Combining tillage and soil cultivation to enhance root vitality, adjust the number of branches to be retained based on the results. Pay attention to the changes in nutrient requirements during different growth stages, and retain an appropriate amount of new shoots during the fruiting period to maintain sustained fruit production capacity.