How To Fertilize Peppers (Complete Guide) - Pepper Geek

Summary

In this Pepper Geek video, the host discusses the best practices for fertilizing pepper plants at different growth stages. They highlight the importance of adjusting fertilizer types and amounts from seedling to flowering stages. The video offers practical advice on when to start fertilizing, how much to use, and the difference between water-soluble nutrients and slow-release granules. Additionally, the host provides tips on feeding frequency, considering rainfall, and the benefits of soil testing for in-ground planting. The video concludes with a teaser for an upcoming comparison of various fertilizers' effectiveness on jalapeno plants.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Start fertilizing pepper plants about a week after they emerge, depending on the soil medium used.
• 🍃 Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for seedlings to promote foliage growth, starting at a reduced strength to avoid burning the plants.
• 🌼 Switch to a fertilizer with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium when the plant enters the flowering stage to encourage fruit production.
• 📅 Typically, plants can handle full-strength nutrients at 3 to 4 weeks old, and it's a good time to increase nitrogen value.
• 📦 For potted plants, assume no nutrients are present unless fresh soil with nutrients is used, and fertilize accordingly.
• 🌱 In-ground plants benefit from soil amendments like compost and manure to build up soil vitality and reduce reliance on fertilizers over time.
• 💧 Water-soluble nutrients provide instant feeding for plants showing deficiencies, while slow-release granules are suitable for a less frequent fertilizing regimen.
• 🌧️ Consider rainfall when fertilizing; heavy rain can flush out nutrients, so it's important to feed after rainfall or not just before expecting heavy rain.
• 📏 Always check the product label for feeding frequency recommendations, as they vary depending on the type of fertilizer used.
• 🔍 Conduct a soil test for in-ground beds to understand the nutrient content and needs, then amend the soil with organic matter to improve its quality.

Q & A

What are the three main stages of pepper plant growth discussed in the video?

The three main stages of pepper plant growth discussed are the seedling stage, the growth stage or vegetative stage, and the blooming stage or flowering and fruiting stage.

Why is it important to fertilize pepper plants at different stages of growth?

Pepper plants have different nutrient requirements at various stages of growth. Fertilizing at different stages ensures the plants receive the right nutrients at the right time, promoting healthy foliage, flowering, and fruit production.

What type of fertilizer is recommended for the seedling stage of pepper plants?

For the seedling stage, a nitrogen-rich fertilizer is recommended, where the first number (N) in the NPK ratio is higher than the other two.

How should the strength of the fertilizer be adjusted for young pepper plants?

For young pepper plants, the fertilizer should be used at a reduced strength, such as half or quarter strength, to prevent burning the plants.

When should you start fertilizing pepper plants after they emerge?

Fertilizing should start about a week after the plants emerge, depending on the soil medium used.

What is the recommended fertilizer blend when pepper plants reach the flowering stage?

When pepper plants reach the flowering stage, a fertilizer blend with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium is recommended to encourage more flowers and fruit.

How often should you fertilize pepper plants according to the video?

The frequency of fertilizing depends on the specific fertilizer product used. It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the product label.

What is the role of rainfall in fertilizing pepper plants?

Heavy rainfall can flush out nutrients from potted plants and raised beds, so it's important to fertilize after rainfall or not just before expecting heavy rain.

Why might slow-release granules be a better option for some gardeners according to the video?

Slow-release granules can be a better option for gardeners who don't want to maintain a regular fertilizing regimen, as they provide nutrients over a longer period and can be applied less frequently.

What is the benefit of using organic matter like compost in the soil for pepper plants?

Using organic matter like compost improves the soil's vitality and nutrient content, reducing the need for frequent fertilization and promoting healthy plant growth.

What is the significance of the 'Tiger Bloom' fertilizer mentioned in the video?

Tiger Bloom is a fertilizer with a 2-8-4 ratio, which is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium, making it suitable for the blooming stage of pepper plants to encourage fruit production.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Fertilizing Pepper Plants at Different Growth Stages

This paragraph discusses the importance of fertilizing pepper plants at various stages of growth. The video presenter explains that pepper plants have different nutritional needs during the seedling stage, the growth or vegetative stage, and the flowering or fruiting stage. During the seedling stage, nitrogen-rich fertilizers are recommended, but at a reduced strength to prevent burning the young plants. As the plants grow, the strength of the fertilizer is increased. When the plant reaches the flowering stage, a switch to a fertilizer with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium is advised to encourage fruit production. The presenter also mentions their ebook 'Growing Perfect Peppers' for more detailed information on fertilization and provides practical advice on when to start fertilizing and how to adjust the regimen based on the plant's stage of growth.

05:02

💧 Practical Fertilization Techniques and Considerations

In this segment, the presenter shares practical tips on how to fertilize pepper plants. They demonstrate the use of a liquid fertilizer, Tiger Bloom, which is applied at a rate of 2 to 3 teaspoons per gallon of water. The presenter advises starting fertilization about a week after the plants emerge and emphasizes the importance of following the product label's instructions for frequency and dosage. They also discuss the impact of rainfall on nutrient levels in potted plants and the difference in fertilization needs between container-grown and in-ground plants. The video touches on the benefits of using slow-release granules versus water-soluble nutrients, leaning towards the preference for slow-release fertilizers for their long-term benefits and convenience.

10:02

📊 Testing Fertilizers for Optimal Plant Growth

The final paragraph highlights the presenter's ongoing experiment with different fertilizers on jalapeno plants to determine which yields the best results in terms of plant vigor and fruit production. They mention having a variety of fertilizers, some intended for hydroponic use, and others for general soil application. The presenter expresses a preference for slow-release fertilizers and encourages viewers to share their experiences with different fertilizers in the comments. They also invite viewers to subscribe to stay updated on the results of their fertilizer tests and to explore their other channel, Geeky Greenhouse, for information on a wider range of plants.

Keywords

💡Fertilize

Fertilizing is the process of adding nutrients to the soil to promote plant growth. In the context of the video, fertilizing pepper plants is crucial at different stages of their development. The video discusses how to fertilize at the seedling stage with nitrogen-rich fertilizers, and then transitioning to a blend with more phosphorus and potassium as the plants enter the flowering stage. This is to ensure the plants have the necessary nutrients for healthy foliage growth and fruit production.

💡Nitrogen

Nitrogen is one of the primary nutrients required for plant growth, promoting leafy green growth and overall vigor. The video emphasizes the importance of nitrogen-rich fertilizers during the seedling stage of pepper plants, where a higher nitrogen content in the fertilizer blend is beneficial for the development of foliage. An example from the script is the recommendation to use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer at a reduced strength to prevent burning the young plants.

💡Phosphorus

Phosphorus is another essential nutrient that plays a vital role in root development and flowering. The video suggests switching to a fertilizer with higher phosphorus content during the flowering stage of pepper plants to encourage more flowers and fruit set. This transition helps in reducing excessive leafy growth and focuses the plant's energy on fruit production.

💡Potassium

Potassium is crucial for overall plant health, including disease resistance and fruit quality. In the video, it is mentioned that as pepper plants enter the flowering stage, the fertilizer regimen should include higher levels of potassium along with phosphorus to support the plant's reproductive processes and enhance fruit quality.

💡Seedling Stage

The seedling stage refers to the early growth phase of a plant when it is still developing its initial set of true leaves. The video explains that during this stage, pepper plants require a nitrogen-rich fertilizer at a reduced strength to support their slow and steady growth without overwhelming them.

💡Growth Stage

The growth stage, also known as the vegetative stage, is when plants focus on developing their structure and foliage. The video indicates that as pepper plants transition from the seedling to the growth stage, they can handle full-strength nitrogen-rich fertilizers to support their rapid growth and leaf development.

💡Blooming Stage

The blooming stage is when plants start producing flowers and preparing for fruiting. The video discusses the importance of switching to a fertilizer blend with lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus and potassium during this stage to encourage flowering and fruit set in pepper plants.

💡Fertilizer Regimen

A fertilizer regimen refers to a planned schedule of applying different types of fertilizers to plants based on their growth stages and nutritional needs. The video outlines a regimen for pepper plants that includes starting with nitrogen-rich fertilizers in the seedling stage, increasing the strength as they grow, and then switching to a phosphorus and potassium-rich blend during the blooming stage.

💡Tiger Bloom

Tiger Bloom is a specific type of fertilizer mentioned in the video, which is a 2-8-4 formula, meaning it has low nitrogen, high phosphorus, and higher potassium than nitrogen. It is recommended for use during the blooming stage of pepper plants to support flowering and fruiting. The video demonstrates how to use Tiger Bloom by adding 2 to 3 teaspoons per gallon of water.

💡Slow Release Granules

Slow release granules are a type of fertilizer that releases nutrients over an extended period, providing a steady supply of nutrients to plants. The video discusses the benefits of using slow release granules as a preventative measure early in the season, which can reduce the need for frequent fertilization and provide a consistent nutrient supply to the plants.

💡Water Soluble Nutrients

Water soluble nutrients are fertilizers that dissolve easily in water and can be applied directly to the soil or watering system. The video mentions that water soluble nutrients are useful for quickly addressing nutrient deficiencies in plants, as they are absorbed almost immediately, helping to resolve issues like yellowing leaves due to nitrogen deficiency.

Highlights

Discussing the best practices for fertilizing pepper plants at different stages of growth.

Three main stages of pepper plant growth where fertilizing regimen changes: seedling, growth, and blooming stage.

Using nitrogen-rich fertilizer for seedlings to promote foliage growth.

Starting to fertilize a week after plant emergence, depending on the soil medium used.

Increasing fertilizer strength as plants grow faster post-seedling stage.

Switching to a lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus and potassium fertilizer during the flowering stage.

Avoiding excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit production by adjusting fertilizer blend.

Demonstration of how to fertilize with liquid fertilizer, Tiger Bloom, during the flowering stage.

Recommendation to feed plants according to the fertilizer product label instructions.

Adjusting fertilizing frequency based on rainfall to prevent nutrient loss.

Differences in fertilizing potted plants versus those grown in the ground or raised beds.

Importance of soil testing and amending soil with organic matter for long-term nutrient management.

Choosing between water-soluble nutrients and slow-release granules based on plant needs.

Preference for slow-release fertilizers for long-term plant nutrition.

Testing different fertilizers for their impact on yield and plant vigor.

Invitation for viewers to share their fertilizer experiences and preferences.

Cross-promotion to the Geeky Greenhouse channel for information on fertilizing other types of plants.

Transcripts

hey there welcome back to Pepper geek in

today's video I'll be discussing how and

when to fertilize pepper

plants now if you've been following our

channel for a while you know we do have

a video about fertilizer for pepper

plants but that video goes more in depth

about nitrogen phosphorus and potassium

and all the other micronutrients that

plants need this video is intended to be

a bit more straightforward we'll show

you our process of fertilizing the

different stages of plant growth at

which we change our fertilizer regimen

and we won't talk so much about what's

actually in fertilizer before we get

started check out our ebook growing

perfect Peppers it's all about growing

peppers from start to finish and we

definitely have a section about

fertilizer and how to use it properly so

if you're interested in growing better

pepper plants check it out in the

description below okay so let's talk

fertilizing peppers I have a plant here

to demonstrate we're in early July right

now but there are three main stages

where we change our fertilizing regimen

and the three stages are the seedling

stage when the plants are very young

the growth stage or the vegetative stage

and then the blooming stage flowering or

fruiting stage now pepper plants behave

differently in these three stages so you

want to feed them accordingly so first

I'll give a really basic overview of

what we do at those three different

stages at the seedling stage we'll start

fertilizing with a nitrogen Rich

fertilizer basically the first number

the N number is higher than the other

two numbers so the plants are getting

plenty of nitrogen which they need to

grow lots of foliage we'll use use one

of these at a reduced strength so that

we don't burn the plants the plants are

really slow growing early on so they

don't need much fertilizer just a little

bit goes a long way we'll use a half

strength or sometimes even a quarter

strength depending on how strong the

fertilizer is once the plants take off

and they start growing faster will

increase the amount of fertilizer and

eventually get to a full strength of one

of these nitrogen-rich Blends then once

the plant gets to its flowering stage

this is sort of a good example of when

to switch over to a different

fertilizing regimen this plant is

beginning to produce flowers it's still

growing it's still using nitrogen but

you want a different blend you want a

lower nitrogen and a higher phosphorus

and potassium and all of these are

examples of fertilizer that provide that

and so you can sort of wean off of these

and onto one of these or you can just

reduce the amount that you're using over

here less nitrogen and try to get more

phosphorus and potassium for the plant

so now let's dive in when do you start

fertilizing well we usually start

fertilizing about a week after the

plants emerge that's going to depend on

what soil Medium you're using if it has

nutrients built in you may not need to

fertilize at all until a few weeks after

the plant Sprout or if you use a seed

starter mix like we do then you'll want

to fertilize about a week after the

plant Sprout to give them what they need

this is probably one of the most common

reasons people have stunted plants they

forget to fertilize or they don't know

that they need to fertilize uh you want

to provide the nutrients your plants

need especially when you're growing in

containers once the plants are about 3

to 4 weeks old that's usually when they

can handle full strength nutrients they

start growing a lot faster they can

photosynthesize more and they really

start to Branch out growing more leaves

more rapidly and at that stage you'll

just use full strength nutrients with a

high nitrogen value now about 6 to 10

weeks depending on the variety that's a

good time to switch over to a more

phosphorus and potassium rich fertilizer

and wean off of so much nitrogen and the

reason you do that is to avoid an

abundance of leafy growth at the expense

of fruits and to encourage the plant to

produce more flowers and set more fruit

so tiger bloom again this is another

example that we always use it's a 284

low nitrogen high phosphorus higher

potassium than nitrogen so that's one

option and all of these kind of do that

same thing they reduce the nitrogen

increase phosphorus and pottassium so

with all that in mind let's take this

plant outside and show you how we

fertilize okay so we're outside and

we're ready to feed this plant like I

said it's producing flowers so we're

ready to switch over to our blooming

fertilizer and today we'll just be using

tiger bloom because it's the most

straightforward and they recommend

adding 2 to three teaspoons per gallon

of water this is a 2 gallon watering can

so I'm going to go on the low side since

this plant isn't huge and I'm going to

do four teaspoons for 2 gallons and over

time if the plant does get large if it's

a very large variety then you can

increase the amount of fertilizer just

try to keep that in mind as the plants

are growing so give it a good

Shake so with this since it's liquid

it's very simple just add the required

[Music]

amount I will say less is more you don't

want to just try adding more than they

recommend start on the low side and see

how it

performs and we'll fill up just make

sure your hose water isn't too warm

sometimes if the hose lays in the Sun

for a while it'll get hot one

recommendation if you're using granules

that are water soluble use a little bit

of warm water to start you know just add

maybe an inch to the bottom of the

watering can and then swish it around

that can help dissolve those granules

and then you can fill the rest of the

water and can with cold

water but in this case we're using a

liquid fertilizer so we can

just add it all the way to the

top and so this will definitely feed

more than one plant I'll use it to feed

this one but then I'll take it over and

feed probably five or six pepper plants

uh 5 gallon grow bags here um and I like

to go slow when feeding just make sure

that the

soil is getting evenly

saturated and you don't want too much

draining out the bottom because that's

just a waste of nutrients so I'll sort

of Let It settle a bit there

and then feed one more time just to make

sure as much of the soil is saturated as

possible and so once again careful not

to lose any of the nutrient

water and go around the base of the

plant and water

thoroughly in case you're curious this

is some sweet alysum just to attract

some beneficial insects it's been

attracting lots of hoverflies and this

one's just about to start flowering so

this fertilizer should help the alysum

as well okay so this plant is done like

I said I'll use some of that nutrient

water to feed our other pepper plants

and other flowering plants like tomatoes

so now let's head back in and talk about

some other things to consider when

fertilizing okay so back inside let's

talk about some common things you want

to consider when it comes to feeding

pepper plants the first is how often to

feed your plants and there's a really

simple answer for that it's check the

product label on your fertilizer and go

by what the manufacturer recommends we

get this question so often but it really

depends on the nutrients that you're

using for example this Dr Earth's slow

release granular fertilizer requires a

feeding every 2 months whereas Miracle

girl performance Organics requires you

to feed every 7 days for ideal results

so you really need to check the product

labeling you don't want to feed too

often with something like this and you

don't want to skip a week with something

like this so I don't think we've ever

had a fertilizer where there weren't

instructions on how often to feed so

just make sure you're reading the label

another thing to consider if you're

using water soluble nutrients is

rainfall if you have heavy rain in your

area it can flush out some of the

nutrients from your potted plants and

even your raised beds so you want to

make sure that you're feeding after

rainfall or at least not just before you

expect to have Heavy Rain another thing

to consider is whether you're growing in

pots or if you're growing in the ground

potted plants you can basically assume

that there are no nutrients at all in

the soil unless you bought fresh soil

that does have nutrients then you can go

by the packaging of that soil and wait

until those nutrients are depleted

before fertilizing but after that point

you need to feed the plants it's a small

enclosed container where the nutrients

eventually get used up and then you have

to provide them for inground beds it's a

totally different world you're going to

want to use things like compost you're

going to want to feed that soil and sort

of amend it over time and build up its

Vitality that way you won't have to use

fertilizers like this so much in the

long run maybe early on but eventually

you'll have a soil that can be relied

upon to provide the nutrients your

plants need so in the case where you're

growing in the ground or in a raised bed

you should check what's in that soil

already get a soil test send a sample

away and understand what's in there and

what the soil needs to begin with then

like I said over time add that organic

matter add compost add rotted manure and

improve the soil adding those beneficial

bacteria and all those microbes that

help plants grow well another thing to

consider is whether to use water soluble

nutrients or slow release granules and

it's really going to depend on what you

need if your plants are showing a

deficiency in something you're seeing

yellowing leaves and your plants are low

in nitrogen for example you'll probably

want to use something water soluble

because that's going to feed the plants

instantaneously they're going to get

what they need and the problem will

start to resolve right away slow release

is great if you don't want to keep up

with a fertilizing regimen you can just

mend this into the soil at the beginning

of the season and it'll feed the plants

for months and this can be used as a

preventative side dressing it just takes

a little bit longer for it to start to

break down in the soil and release for

the plants to use but to give you my

opinion you can see we've tried so many

fertilizers I really am starting to lean

towards the slow release fertilizers and

getting those into the soil early on in

the season so that the plants have what

they need then all you really have to

worry about is irrigating is watering

your plants and those nutrients are

there I'll definitely leave a link down

below to some of our favorite nutrients

that have given us really good results

with our pepper plants if you're

interested or in the market for

fertilizer and you might be wondering

why we have so many different nutrients

well some of these are actually for

Hydroponics this is intended for

hydroponic use only and others we just

like to try but the biggest reason we

have so many right now is we're actually

testing five different fertilizers on

some jalapeno plants that we're growing

this season and we'll see which produced

the best results in terms of yield and

plant Vigor and also just sort of round

up the usability of the fertilizer so

that video will be coming at the end of

this season so make sure you're

subscribed so you don't miss it now this

topic applies to more than just Peppers

so if you're growing anything else check

out our other channel geeky Greenhouse

where we talk about all the other plants

we're growing like tomatoes and carrots

and chard and pretty much anything else

Under the Sun we have lots of new videos

over on geeky Greenhouse so go check it

out and subscribe in the link down below

now I'm curious what fertilizers do you

use have you tried many in the past and

ended up switching to a different

fertilizer what is your go-to today

please share in the comments down below

we're always curious and willing to try

something new on the channel if you have

additional questions please check out

our other video about fertilizer where

we go a little more in depth about how

nutrients actually work when it comes to

growing plants I think you'll learn a

lot more on that video thanks for

watching pepper geek and I'll see you

next time