The unpredictability of the weather causes problems for many a chili culture. In the protected environment of a greenhouse you can harvest earlier and for longer. Here's how to outwit the bad weather gods.
What requirements should a chili greenhouse meet?
An ideal chili greenhouse should be at least 2, 50 x 2, 50 m in size, have a side height of 1, 50-2, 00 m, have at least 1 door and 2 windows for ventilation, 10-16 mm triple-wall panels for glazing and use a stable aluminum foundation.
That's what a chili greenhouse should at least offer
Greenhouses for hobby gardens are available to suit every budget. Carelessly reaching for what appears to be the cheapest offer may end in frustration. After all, chilies are tropical plants with an average height of 1 meter.
These requirements should be met:
- Length 2, 50 m x width 2, 50 m
- Side height 1.50 m to 2.00 m
- 1 door and 2 windows for ventilation
- Glazing with 10-16 mm triple-wall panels
- 1 stable aluminum foundation
The use of blank glass is not recommended because it simply breaks too quickly.
The central location conditions
In addition to the external frame, climate and soil conditions determine the success of chili cultivation in the greenhouse:
- sunny to semi-shady location, warm and protected from the wind
- nutrient-rich soil, humus and well-drained
- Humidity of 70 percent and higher
- Temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius
Shading (€93.00 on Amazon) in summer and a heating source in winter should be available for heat regulation.
It's so easy to grow chili in the greenhouse
Sowing in the greenhouse starts in February at temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius. Once the seedlings have developed 3 to 4 pairs of leaves, they are pricked out. During this phase, keep the chilies constantly moist and do not apply any fertilizer.
From a height of 40 cm, regular thinning promotes vitality and a compact habitus. Watering is preferably done with collected rainwater. Organic fertilizer, such as compost and horn shavings, serve as food for heavy feeders.
If it gets too hot in the greenhouse in summer, open windows and shading can help. Busy insects get in through the openings and take care of the pollination of the flowers. Given these dream conditions, the harvest season starts at the end of July.
Tips & Tricks
The desire for a greenhouse in which the gardener can stand upright causes the purchase price to rise disproportionately. Smart chili growers quickly build a mini greenhouse over a self-dug trench lined with gravel and stand in it.
