How to Propagate Peppers from Stem Cuttings?
Chili peppers originated in The Central or South America and were first cultivated in Mexico. European adventurers brought chili peppers back to the Old World in the late 16th century. It is a part of the Columbian Exchange, which led to the cultivation of multiple varieties across the world for food and traditional medicine.
There are many situations when you may want to propagate pepper plants. If you want particularly successful harvest, or a highly disease-resistant plant, propagation is a great idea. The process is simple, but it takes a long time, so plan accordingly.
How to Propagate Pepper
To increase chances of a successful propagation, always choose a branch that is actively growing. Fill an opaque cup about halfway full with fresh water. Dab a little bit of rooting hormone on the base of the stem. With a sharp knife or pruners cut a 4″ section of a pepper branch. After making cuttings from the branch, move it directly to your prepared cup of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged.
Keep the cuttings in a normal light room with indirect sunlight. Too much light can cause more leafy growth or burned of the new leaves. Stick the pepper cuttings in a moist rooting medium like sand or a 50/50 peat and perlite/vermiculite. Keep the cuttings moist so they won’t dry out. After a few weeks, some cuttings may start to form small roots.
Care for Pepper
Overabundance of water is bad for pepper plants. So, water your plants in limit. Fertilizing peppers helps to achieve large plants and big harvests. Pepper plant pot usually require some form of fertilizer, despite many potting mixes coming with some nutrients. Light is the key to healthy pepper plants. While they can grow in partial shade, full sun is ideal for best harvest and flavor.
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