To achieve the highest yield from pepper, it must be fertilized. As fertilizers use organic, minerals, folk remedies. In this material we will tell you why and how to properly fertilize pepper with boric acid.

Why you need to process peppers with boric acid

Boric acid has been widely used in gardening for feeding various crops, processing planting material and soil. This product is a colorless substance in the form of odorless crystals. You can buy it at any specialized store.

Did you know? Pepper from ancient times was literally a valuable product. They paid them like money, and also paid fines. So, in one of the historical documents it is indicated that the inhabitants of Beziers (France) had to pay a fine of 3 pounds of pepper as a punishment for the death of the Viscount.

It is sold in the form of powder, packaged in paper bags, which further requires dilution in water, according to the instructions. Boric acid has the lowest, fourth, hazard class for humans, since it has very weak acidic properties. When it enters the skin, it does not cause burns.

Useful properties of boric acid

• Boric acid is used in gardening, as it has the following beneficial effects on plants:
• replenishes the deficiency of boron;
• improves calcium absorption;
• improves root air intake;
• enhances the synthesis of biologically active substances;
• increases the number of ovaries, and, therefore, allows you to significantly increase the percentage of productivity (by 20-30%);
• stimulates the formation of new growth points;
• increases the level of sugar in fruits and improves their taste;
• prolongs the storing of fruits;
• eliminates the effects of nitrogen or potassium overfeeding of plants;
• helps prevent the development of certain diseases and insect attacks.

Signs of a lack of boron in plants

If garden culture lacks any element, then this can be seen by the characteristic changes in its appearance.

• When a plant is in urgent need of boron, then such factors will testify to this:
• damage to the growth point;
• lethargy and death of apical kidneys;
• curvature of stems;
• active growth of lateral shoots;
• clarification of foliage;
• yellowing of the intervein space at the upper leaves;
• curling the leaves;
• absence, deformation or falling of flowers and ovaries;
• cessation of development and growth.

How to prepare a solution of boric acid

A boric acid solution is prepared by mixing the powder with water. The crystals are well diluted only in water heated to +70 ... + 80 ° C, so first the powder is poured into 1 liter of hot water, stirred until it dissolves, and then the amount of solution is adjusted to the required volume.

The proportions will depend on the purpose for which the substance is used. When preparing the solution, it is necessary to observe personal safety measures: protect hands with gloves, body with special clothing, mouth and nose with a respirator. When preparing and using the solution, you should not drink, eat food, smoke.

Important! It is forbidden to uncontrolledly introduce boron as a top dressing for plants whose fruits are eaten by humans. Accumulating in the body, this substance can lead to the development of severe chronic diseases, settle in the kidneys.

After working with the product, wash your hands and face thoroughly with soap and water. If during work with the drug or some time after that the person becomes ill, you should seek medical help. Storage of the finished solution must be carried out away from places where food is stored, out of the reach of children and pets.

How to use boric acid for peppers

A boric acid solution is used for several purposes:

• to feed the plants;
• for soaking planting material;
• to fertilize the soil;
• to fight insects and diseases.

As a top dressing

The solution can be applied in two ways: pouring under the root or spraying on the upper organs of the plant.

Root dressing

Boric acid is rarely added under the root. This method is used only in case of urgent need: acute boron starvation, infection with the disease. The working solution is prepared as follows: 0.1-0.2 g of powder is combined with 1 liter of water and stirred until crystals are completely dissolved.

The solution is poured into a watering can and gently watered the area near the roots or between the rows. Before applying acid, the soil is abundantly watered to avoid root burns.

Important! When performing root dressing, it is necessary to ensure that the solution does not fall on the stems and leaves. This can cause burns to the organs of the plant.

Foliar top dressing

More often, acid is used as foliar top dressing. The working solution is made less concentrated by dissolving 0.1 g of crystals in 1 liter of water. The mixture is poured into a sprayer and sprayed on the leaves.

This treatment is performed 3 times per season:

• during budding;
• during the appearance of flowers;
• during fruit ripening.

For spraying, choose a day when there is no sun and rainfall, or do them in the evening.

In order to increase the number of ovaries, pepper is sprayed with a solution of 0.2 g of acid and 10 l of water. The same solution can be used in case of decay of the fruit. A mixture of 0.5 g of acid and 1 liter of water is used to fertilize the freshly dosed seedlings.

Important! Spraying plants with acid in the phase of acquiring marketable ripeness with fruits is only necessary to combat ailments, harmful insects and with acute deficiency of boron. The substance does not affect the quality of pepper at this time.

Seed soaking

Soaking seeds in boric acid before being placed in the soil allows for an increase in yield. The seed is placed in a tissue bag and dipped in a solution prepared from 2 g of crystals dissolved in a bucket of water. So that the seeds do not float to the surface, a load is attached to the bag. The soaking procedure should last 24 hours.

The best effect is the soaking of the seed in a multicomponent solution, consisting of:

• boric acid - 0.2 g;
• infusion of onion husks - 0.5 l;
• wood ash - 0.5 l;
• baking soda - 5 g;
• potassium permanganate - 1 g.

If a large number of seeds are sown, then not soaking is applied, but dusting them with a mixture of acid with talc.

Soil fertilizer

To fertilize the soil before planting, dilute 2 g of powder in 10 l of water and water the plot using this amount per 10 m². After this procedure, the soil must be loosened and only then planted.

Such top dressing is most often used on poor, medium-fertile, acidic and marshy soils. 1-2 hours before fertilizing, the area is abundantly moistened.

To fight diseases and pests

Boric acid is used in the manufacture of bait against ants. The process of disposal lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.

Did you know? Boric acid is an excellent tool against soot on dishes. Powder or solution is applied to the dishes, left for 5–10 minutes, after which they are washed in hot water with a detergent.

The filling for the bait is prepared as follows:

1. 5 g boric acid is dissolved in 100 ml of hot water.
2. Add 1 tsp. honey or jam.
3. Contribute 6 hours sugar.
4. The mixture is mixed well.
5. Spread in a flat container.
6. They put it near the places of accumulation and movement of insects, periodically adding new mixture. It is important that children and pets cannot reach the bait.

This substance is also successfully used to combat late blight. It is used in combination with a solution of potassium permanganate and iodine.

Act as follows:

1. After the formation of the ovaries, the plants are sprayed with a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).
2. After 7 days, the treatment is carried out with an acid solution (2 g / 10 L).
3. After 7 days, iodine is sprayed.

So, boron is an important element that is necessary for the normal growth and development of any garden plant, including pepper. Its deficiency is compensated by the addition of boric acid diluted in water. Most often, this substance is used to increase yield and improve fruit quality.