Growing peppers is a great way to add to your list of vegetable plants for your garden. Since peppers don't have deep roots, they grow well in grow bags which are very popular right now. For those who want to try growing peppers in grow bags, you're in luck because we've got the right answers to your questions.
Peppers come in different varieties and some of them can grow in different sizes of grow bags. However, for most peppers, a 5-gallon grow bag is perfect to cultivate them in. You will most likely get more peppers to harvest if you plant them in a bigger space, so a bigger grow bag is also a good idea.
Learning how to cultivate and care for peppers can be a little intimidating, especially if you are new at this. Keep reading because, in this post, we will share some basic information on how you can start with your pepper plants. We will also be sharing some advice about using grow bags and what kinds of peppers you can grow at home.
What Size Grow Bag For Peppers?
They can be spicy or they can be sweet—peppers are lovely vegetables that a lot of people enjoy planting in their home gardens. These plants are easy to grow and they don't grow too big, which is great for gardeners who prefer their plants in containers.
Grow bags are container bags made of breathable fabric. Typically, they are made of plastic, but newer types of grow bags are made from felt or other non-woven fabrics. Bags that are made from these materials allow better air circulation for plant roots and they are also water absorbent.
Different pepper varieties can grow in different containers. Some of them can grow in smaller containers, while some of them require more space for the roots to spread out.
However, most pepper varieties will be very happy to grow in a 5-gallon grow bag. If you plant them in bigger grow bags, you will most likely be able to get more peppers during harvest time.
How Many Peppers Can I Grow In A 5 Gallon Bag?
Peppers are great container plants. Some pepper varieties have small fruits and these plants can grow in smaller grow bags, probably around the 3-gallon size. However, most pepper varieties require more soil for the roots to grow, so it needs a bigger container.
Regardless of what kind of pepper you are planting, you should plant them in a grow bag that is at least 5 gallons in size. One pepper plant will be happy in a 5-gallon bag, and you can grow them in the same grow bag until they fully mature.
If you use a bigger grow bag, you can plant multiple pepper plants in them. A 7-gallon grow bag can keep two pepper plants happy. A 10-gallon grow bag can definitely take on more plants, like three or four, depending on the variety.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Grow Bags?
Grow bags are gaining popularity among many gardeners because they are easy to use even for beginners. They have quite a number of benefits that gardeners particularly enjoy, which makes planting a lot easier. However, like most good things, grow bags also have disadvantages that you should consider before you transition to using them.
Pros
Grow bags allow growth for a better root system
One of the best advantages you can get from a grow bag is its breathability. Since the material of the bags is very breathable, grow bags allow better air circulation which is great for a plant's root system. If you've ever used pots before, you will notice that roots tend to circle and surround the pot as it tries to look for air and nutrients.
With grow bags, the roots automatically prune themselves when they get in contact with air. This is what we call air pruning, wherein the plant's roots dry out when they find air. This makes the plant create more root tips, which gives the plant better chances of growing and utilizing the nutrients of the soil.
Grow bags have excellent drainage
Since grow bags are made of fabric, you can lessen the possibility of overwatering. Water will easily drain through the fabric of the grow bags. The plants will be damp enough and there is less risk of the roots becoming rotten due to excess water. Keep your grow bags raised in your garden so that they will not absorb the puddle of water on the ground.
They can be easily stored
Unlike pots and other containers, you can easily fold grow bags and keep them in your shelf or cabinets. After using them for a season, you can simply wash them clean and let them dry before storing them for next year. If you don't have the space to keep stacks of pots, grow bags are great alternatives, especially for seasonal plants.
They have multiple sizes and come in different colors
Just like their pot counterparts, grow bags also come in multiple sizes, depending on your needs. Grow bags come in sizes from seedling starters to 100-gallon grow bags which can immediately turn into a raised garden. They also come in different colors which adds to the whimsy of these plant containers. If your plants need warmer soil, black grow bags can help with this issue.
Check out these colorful grow bags on Amazon.
Grow bags have more surface area
The bottoms of grow bags are flat, which gives you more space for your soil. Unlike the tapered bottoms of plant pots, grow bags are a lot more stable when they are sitting on a flat surface, so they will not fall over easily. Since grow bags also have more soil, the roots are able to get more nutrients and are generally healthier.
Seedlings are unlikely to be root bound
If you are planning to propagate and get a headstart for your seedlings, grow bags are a great option to grow them. Since the grow bags are breathable, the roots will go through air pruning early and they will grow better when they need to transfer to a bigger container.
Grab these seedling grow bags on Amazon.
Cons
Grow bags are not as pretty as some container pots
Grow bags can look pretty drab compared to container pots like terracotta or ceramic. They look pretty much the same regardless of brand because they are simple cylindrical bags meant for growing plants. However, you can find some grow bags with a print design if you prefer to add creativity to your garden space.
Check out these boho-designed grow bags on Amazon.
Some grow bags are flimsy
Depending on the brand of grow bag that you have, some of them are not as durable compared to pots. Because of the fabric of the grow bags, they will disintegrate over time and the handles may rip or the bag has become flimsy. Try to look for grow bags that have handles with good stitches and fabrics that are thick and rip-proof.
Get these Bootstrap Farmer grow bags on Amazon.
They dry out quickly
Grow bags do have good drainage, but it can also be a problem because plants can dry out quickly in grow bags. Water evaporates faster in grow bags so you cannot leave plants unwatered for a few days, unlike pots. Try looking for ways to retain water by adding mulch to your pots to keep the moisture in.
What Pepper Plants Can I Grow At Home?
There are a number of pepper plants that you can easily grow in a home garden. Most of them will grow well in a container or a grow bag, but you can also opt to plant them on the ground if you wish. Here are some popular peppers you can start growing at home.
- Jalapeños
- Habaneros
- Ghost Peppers
- Thai Peppers
- Serranos
- Fire and Ice Peppers
- Shishito Peppers
- Sweet Banana Peppers
- Bell Peppers
- Poblanos
Check out this hot pepper seeds variety pack on Amazon.
In Conclusion
Pepper plants are great garden plants and they can easily be planted in containers. Grow bags make for excellent pepper plant containers because they allow the plants to grow with better root systems and healthier fruits for harvest. Try growing multiple varieties in different grow bags and enjoy the sweet and spicy harvest every season.
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