Paprika and chili peppers are popular vegetables that can be grown both in the garden and on the balcony. To achieve an optimal harvest, it is important to prick out the seedlings, i.e. to transplant them into larger pots.
Why prick out?
- More space: The roots of the seedlings have more space to grow in larger pots.
- Better nutrient supply: In fresh soil, the plants find more nutrients that they need for their growth.
- Stronger plants: Pricking out makes the plants bushier and more stable.
When to prick out?
The right time to prick out is when the seedlings are 4-6 weeks old and have 4-6 pairs of leaves.
How to prick out?
Pricking out is easy if you have the right tools and a little patience.
Required materials:
- Dibber or pricking fork
- Soil
- Pots with drainage holes
- Watering water
Here’s how it works:
- Preparation: Moisten the seedling soil and fill it into the pots.
- Pricking out: Carefully loosen the seedlings from the soil with the dibber.
- Planting: Place the seedlings in the center of the new pots and fill the soil around the roots.
- Watering: Water the plants well until the soil is moist.
- Location: Place the plants in a bright and warm location.
Further tips:
- Remove the first flower buds so that the plants can develop better.
- After pricking out, acclimatize the plants slowly to outdoor conditions before planting them out in the open.
By pricking out, you lay the foundation for healthy and productive paprika and chili plants.
Good luck!
In our video, we show you step by step how to prick out your paprika and chili plants: