Growing Chili Peppers

自己种植辣椒

This is the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

这里是美国之音慢速英语农业报道。

Some people say eating hot chili peppers can help you breathe easier if you have a cold. Others believe that chilies give you more energy. All we know is that people have been growing chilies for centuries. And there are plenty of different kinds of chili peppers to choose from, along with different levels of heat.

有人说，感冒时吃很辣的辣椒有助于呼吸顺畅。还有人认为辣椒能带给你更多能量。而我们所知道的是，人类种植辣椒已经有几个世纪的历史，有很多不同种类、不同辣度的辣椒可以选择。

Want to spice up your meals with homegrown chilies? They need a warm climate. If you plant the seeds outside when the weather is cool, place a glass over them. That will add warmth from the sun and protect them from wind. You can also start the seeds in your home or a greenhouse.

想在饮食里增加点自己种的辣椒？辣椒生长需要温暖的气候。如果天气寒冷时在室外播种，要盖上一层玻璃。这样既可以增加温度，又可以防止风吹。你还可以把室内或温室中育种。

If you plant chili peppers inside, fill an eight-centimeter pot with soil. The pot should have holes in the bottom so water can run out. Tap the sides of the pot to settle the soil.

如果在室内种辣椒，找一个8厘米口径的花盆装满土。花盆底部要有孔，方便积水排出。拍打花盆边缘使土壤紧实平整。

Drop several seeds over the surface of the pot and cover with a thin layer of vermiculite. Vermiculite is a material that can hold air, water and nutrients. Then cover the top of the pot with a see-through plastic bag. Hold the bag in place with a rubber band. Place the pot in a warm area.

在花盆的土壤表面撒下数颗种子，并覆盖一层薄薄的蛭石。蛭石是一种可以保持空气、水分和营养成分的物质。然后把花盆顶部用透明塑料袋覆盖后，用橡皮筋扎紧塑料袋，放到一个温暖的地方。

When the chilies start growing, take off the bag. When the plants have reached about two centimeters high, place each one carefully in its own eight-centimeter pot.

当辣椒开始生长时取下塑料袋。当幼苗长到2厘米高左右时，将每株幼苗分别移栽到一个8厘米口径的花盆中。

When the roots show through the holes in the bottom of the pot, transplant each seedling into a twelve-centimeter pot. When the plants are twenty centimeters high, tie the plants to a stick placed in the pot to support them.

当幼苗的根系从花盆底部的孔露出来时，将它们分别移栽到12厘米口径的花盆中。当幼苗长到20厘米高时，把它们绑到插入花盆的木棍上，以支撑幼苗生长。

When the chili peppers are thirty centimeters high, pinch the tops off with your fingers. That should get new branches to grow. When the first flowers show, give the plants some potash fertilizer. When the weather is warm, put them into five-liter pots and place them outside. Make sure they get a good amount of light and water.

当辣椒植株（俗称辣椒树）长大30厘米高时，手工摘除顶芽，这样有利于新枝生长。开始开花时给辣椒植株施点钾肥。天气暖和的时候，把它们移栽到5L容量的盆中，并放到室外。要确保它们能获得充足的日照和水分。

Some people like mild chilies, others like plenty of heat. Some like to harvest the plants when the chilies are green. Others like their chilies red. Either way can give color and taste to many different foods.

有些人喜欢微辣的辣椒，还有些人喜欢很辣的辣椒。有些人喜欢在辣椒是绿色时采摘，还有些人喜欢红辣椒。无论哪种方式，都能给很多不同种类的食物增加色彩和美味。