All about pepper: types and properties, cultivation and subtleties of use
Sweet pepper is one of the healthiest vegetables, it is hard to imagine a summer salad without it. The vegetable is distinguished by its juiciness and original taste. The fruit contains an incredible amount of useful elements. In Russia, sweet pepper is grown almost everywhere except for the northern regions. In the Krasnodar Territory, sweet pepper is one of the main crops. But even in the Vladimir and Ivanovo regions, summer residents manage to get good harvests.
Description of culture
Pepper Feature:
- the shape of the fruit is cone-shaped with a rounded end;
- length - about 30 cm;
- wall thickness - 5 mm;
- average weight - 120 g;
- the bush grows up to one meter;
- the crop is removed in 12-18 weeks;
- up to a dozen fruits can grow on a bush;
- yield is consistently good.
Bulgarian pepper reads the age of more than seven thousand years, the first varieties of this crop appeared in South America. In our country, sweet pepper began to be cultivated in the 16th century. At the end of summer in central Russia, the temperature can be quite low, so experienced farmers try to cover the plants with a film.
Sweet pepper has an original and mild taste. It is willingly used by both chefs of expensive restaurants and ordinary citizens.
Compound
Pepper contains a significant concentration of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Also very much in this product:
- sucrose;
- fructose;
- glucose.
There are also a huge amount of metals and useful amino acids.
Calorie content and nutritional value
BJU sweet pepper is 27 kcal per 100 grams. It contains 1.4 g of proteins, 5.8 g of carbohydrates, and no fat at all.
Beneficial features
Sweet pepper can be found both on large plantations in the south of the country, and in greenhouses and greenhouses in the northern regions. The benefits of this vegetable are significant, it contains half of the elements of the periodic table. Especially a large amount of vitamins C and A in it, there are also other essential trace elements:
- B (almost the entire group);
- H;
- RR;
- beta carotene.
Bulgarian pepper contributes to the rhythmic work of the gastrointestinal tract, is an effective antioxidant, and effectively removes toxins.
Harm
There are a number of contraindications to the use of pepper. People with sick liver and kidneys should not eat this vegetable. It is also not recommended to use sweet pepper for patients who have:
- increased acidity of the stomach;
- haemorrhoids;
- ischemia;
- heart failure;
- stomach and duodenal ulcer;
- excessive excitability.
Varieties and varieties
One of the best varieties of pepper is "Big Mama" - mild, it has undeniable advantages and compares favorably with other varieties. Reviews about him are the most positive. First of all, it is worth mentioning the unique yield.
Peppers are best planted in March. He loves a lot of sunlight, only in this case, young plants will actively develop.
The weight of the fetus is an average of 200 grams, the ripening period does not exceed three months.
On average, a Big Mama bush reaches a height of one meter. Pepper is very tasty, this is another reason for its popularity. Pepper is often used for preservation.
The following varieties of this useful plant are also popular:
- "Red Giant";
- "Red Bull";
- "Orange Bull";
- "Yellow Bull".
They have a lot of unique properties. The fruits are thick-walled and very juicy. Ovary can occur even in places of low light. Their fruits can ripen even if they are plucked from a branch. These species are grown in the usual seedling way. The size of the fruit does not exceed twenty centimeters, and the weight is 250 grams. The height of the bush in the southern regions reaches one and a half meters. Often the branches do not withstand the weight of the fruit and are deformed, so this feature should be taken into account.
In Moldova, varieties of pepper "Gogoshary" and "Novogoshary" were bred, which can fully grow only in a warm climate in regions where the temperature does not fall below +15 degrees. The variety ripens a hundred days after the seeds have germinated.
The bush, small in size, reaches a height of half a meter, no more. Fruits can reach 140 g. Plants have a strong stem, thick walls. They are distinguished by good taste, juiciness and keeping quality. "Gogoshary" and "Novogoshary" can be cultivated on an industrial scale, they withstand transportation over long distances.
Peppers "Bison Red" and "Sweet Banana" have a unique taste, contain a huge amount of vitamins. They contain more vitamin C than citrus fruits. The same applies to vitamin A - in carrots this element is noticeably less.
The fruits ripen early - ripening lasts an average of one hundred days. Yields are above average. The weight of the fruit is up to 200 grams, its length is 26 cm. Peppers reach a height of one meter. Growing "Bison Red" and "Sweet Banana" is easy, they are undemanding to care for.
"Hercules" has bushes up to 60 cm high.The variety ripens within 100 days. The shape of the fruit is cubic, the length reaches 14 cm, the weight is up to 220 g. The fruits turn red at the last stage of ripening. The walls of the fruit are thick (7 mm), the pepper is juicy, ideal for preservation. Withstands long-term transportation.
Pepper got its characteristic name due to its good resistance to all possible diseases, especially it is immune to Fusarium. One bush can yield up to 3 kg. Pepper planting is recommended to be done after the probability of frost has gone, the soil should be warmed up to +10 degrees.
Varieties "Kakadu" and "Bouquet of the East" are distinguished by their large size and fleshy fruit. The crop ripens 130 days after planting. The height of the bush reaches one and a half meters. Picking is not carried out. Bushes grow well, branches withstand fruits, do not break.
The length of the pepper reaches 28 cm, the walls are thick (8 mm), up to 3 kg can be collected from one bush. Pepper can be canned, it can be stored fresh for quite a long time.
The mid-season variety "Elephant" ripens in 110 days. Ideal for both greenhouses and open areas. The height of the bush reaches almost one meter. Fruits reach a weight of 140 g, length - up to 20 cm, wall thickness - 6 mm. The taste is juicy and tender. Suitable for conservation and long-term transportation. Productivity - up to 7.5 kg per square meter.
"Turkish" pepper is very original, the height of the bush reaches 95 cm. In Russia, it can be grown in greenhouses. It has excellent taste qualities. It reaches a length of 16 cm, weight - 200 g, width - 4 cm. The variety perfectly resists pests, but is afraid of low temperatures and high humidity.
"Hungarian wax" is a classic pepper, its homeland is Hungary, this variety appeared 500 years ago. Fruit length - 15 cm, width - 4.5. Peppers of this variety can be translucent, ivory. The pulp of the fruit is very juicy and quite dense. Ideal for preservation, various stuffed dishes are also made from it.
Pepper "Summer Cube" is a plant that ripens quite early. Reaches a height of 90 cm. Fruit weight - 155 g, wall thickness - 7.5 mm. Differs in original taste and big productivity. Withstands long-term transportation.
Landing and care
Before planting sweet peppers, prepare the soil, which must include:
- humus;
- humus;
- bioadditives.
It is very useful for the future harvest to pour ash under the bushes, this significantly increases the yield. Before planting in a greenhouse, the soil must undergo heat treatment. Often, for these purposes, soil is bought separately in specialized farms.
To grow a pepper crop, you can plant it with seeds, but for this it is recommended to follow a few rules. Seeds are best bought from organizations that have licenses and certificates. Having bought planting material, it should be checked. This is done in this way: a teaspoon of salt is dissolved in a small container with water, seeds are placed in it. If they are bad, then they will definitely emerge, since they are hollow inside.
Shortly before planting, the seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth or gauze, so they are better prepared. The special composition "Epin" helps a lot in the growth of sweet pepper, which effectively stimulates the development of the plant. Before planting, the seeds are placed in this solution for two to three hours, only then they are installed in the ground.
The cultivation of sweet peppers is based on proper watering, as well as the planned addition of the necessary top dressings. These two factors are the basis for achieving the desired result.
Mulching should also be done, it enables the plant to successfully cope with weeds, helps to pass the dry summer period without much difficulty.
During the flowering period, the culture is often “fed” with nettle and plantain leaves. These plants are crushed and mixed with manure, adding a little ash.
Also, the culture needs proper formation, which is the key to a rich harvest. When the plant reaches a height of just over 20 centimeters, the branches are cut off. When the first inflorescence appears, it is cut off so that further growth continues unhindered. With the advent of the ninth leaf, pruning should be done, while three sprouts are left. Bad branches are also cut off, a couple of dozen ovaries remain on the bushes, the rest are removed.
Pepper has wide leaves and a very developed root system, so no additional garter is required. The plant without any deformation can withstand even large fruits.
Pepper seedlings are immersed in the ground by two centimeters and are well watered. The containers are covered with PVC film and stored in a dry place with a temperature not lower than +20 Celsius. As soon as the first sprouts appear, the containers are placed in a place where there is a lot of sunlight, while the temperature should be at least +25 degrees. Optimal weather conditions for the development of sweet pepper:
- night temperature - not lower than +11 degrees;
- there must be constant air exchange;
- humidity should be moderate;
- lighting should be at least 10 hours daily.
Pepper does not withstand an excess of moisture, the root system begins to rot.It is also important that watering is carried out only with warm water, otherwise the crop can be spoiled, even if it follows all the rules.
To activate the metabolism in the root system, it is watered with sodium humate (12 ml per bucket of water). If two sprouts germinate in one container, then they are seated in different boxes.
Usually, the soil for pepper is prepared ahead of time - it is processed, dug up, compost is added to it.
Soil is ideal for peppers, where the acidity level is medium or minimal. Well, this culture develops in those areas where it has already grown before:
- cucumbers;
- pumpkin;
- onion.
The most effective are superphosphate additives containing potassium salts. One square meter requires 50 g of chemicals (average value).
At the beginning of spring, it is useful to add ammonium nitrate (35 g per 1 sq. meter). Nitrogen generates the rapid development of greenery, which is very important at the beginning of the season. After the end of flowering, the introduction of nitrogen additives stops.
When planting pepper between plants, intervals of about 40 cm should be left. Plants are planted in a checkerboard pattern. There are times when young plants need to be transplanted. After transplantation, pepper must be fed with various additives,
Watering pepper is best done in the morning and after sunset. Water should be defended in special barrels, it should be above +20 degrees. The yield of sweet pepper largely depends on the frequency of watering. In the spring, it is watered every seven days until the buds appear. When the ovaries appear, the bushes are watered twice a week.
On average, one square meter of bell pepper plantation requires at least 5 liters of water.After the plant has taken shape and has become an adult, it will be possible to water it once a week.
The soil around the trunk should be carefully cultivated - the root system is located close to the surface, so it is easy to damage it.
From natural fertilizers, cow dung is used (it is bred in a ratio of 1: 16) and bird droppings (1: 10).
During flowering, peppers must be sprayed with boric acid (1.5-2 grams per liter of water). It is not uncommon for a little sugar to be added to the spray formulation, which attracts more bees and bumblebees. It is recommended not to do all work in hot weather and in the sun.
Usage Tips
Summer residents prefer to grow varieties of sweet peppers that are suitable for salads, stuffing, and canning. Especially in this regard, the Red Bull variety stands out favorably.
The use of red pepper helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, it is especially useful for lactating women.
It is useful to use pepper when breastfeeding. It contains a large amount of vitamin C, as well as rutin. This combination has the most beneficial effect on the health of the baby and mother. Pepper can cause an allergic reaction, so its use should be introduced in stages and in small doses.
Pepper should not be fed to a child until he is less than 6 months old. It is also recommended to pre-stew or boil the fruit.
There is a pepper, not even hot, on an empty stomach is not recommended. It is better to buy fruits that were harvested in the region where the buyer lives.
About pepper, features of care, planting and cultivation, see the following video.