Pepper (long, bell, capia), especially under cover, demands continuous and balanced nutrition throughout a long harvest period. The right program directly affects fruit number, flesh thickness, colour, and shelf life. This guide presents a stage-by-stage pepper fertilization program from seedling to harvest, with product recommendations.
The Foundation: Soil Analysis
For pepper too, the program should start with a soil analysis. Fertilizing without knowing your field's nutrient profile and pH causes imbalance and higher costs. Learn to take a sample in our soil analysis guide, and have results interpreted by our agricultural engineers.
Fertilization Program by Growth Stage
1. Seedling and Rooting Stage
The goal is a strong root system and a sturdy seedling. High-phosphorus formulations (e.g. 13-40-13) support rooting. To reduce transplant stress, an application of AminoWork is recommended. Keep EC in the 1.0-1.5 mS/cm range.
2. Vegetative Growth Stage
Nitrogen demand rises during leaf and stem growth (20-20-20). For balanced macronutrients and organic components, Power NPK is ideal. Excess nitrogen here can delay generative growth (flowers/fruit), so balance matters.
3. Flowering and Fruit Set Stage
At flowering, calcium and boron along with amino acid support improve set and reduce drop; AminoWork is critical here. Pepper is sensitive to heat and sunscald, so amino acid and seaweed applications help with stress management.
4. Fruit Growth and Colouring Stage
Potassium demand is high throughout the long harvest; potassium-led nutrition (e.g. 10-5-35) improves flesh thickness, colour, and shelf life. For stress resistance and fruit quality, seaweed-based RapidAlg is recommended. With continuous harvest, balanced feeding after each pick sustains production.
Common Nutrient Problems in Pepper
- Blossom end rot: seen especially in capia and bell pepper; caused by calcium deficiency and irregular watering. Prevented with consistent irrigation and calcium nutrition.
- Leaf yellowing (chlorosis): usually iron deficiency; quickly corrected with FerroPlus (chelated iron).
- Sunscald and heat stress: stress tolerance is improved with AminoWork and RapidAlg.
Application via Fertigation
Delivering nutrients directly to the root zone via drip irrigation is the most effective way to feed pepper evenly through a long harvest. For EC/pH management and scheduling, see our fertigation guide, and for ratio selection the NPK selection guide.
Success in pepper rests on phosphorus at rooting, balanced nitrogen during growth, and continuous potassium plus calcium management through the long harvest.
For a program tailored to your field and pepper type, contact us; share your soil analysis and we will build the plan together.
