Content
Farmers in Western Siberia and the Urals who grow sweet bell peppers on their plots (in hotbeds or greenhouses) most often recommend that beginning gardeners pay attention to early varieties of this crop. This is justified by the fact that in these climatic zones, spring warming, as a rule, is delayed, and a cold, rainy autumn with the first frosts can come in mid-October. However, is this really so, and why do early varieties of peppers planted in open ground sometimes produce worse yields compared to mid-season and late varieties?
What to look for when choosing a variety
Starting to look for “what they need,” gardeners rush for information on the Internet, looking for the desired variety in numerous volumes of the State Register of Vegetable Growing. However, many varieties and hybrids included in the register and intended for cultivation in the unstable climate of the Urals are only theoretically suitable for obtaining good and stable yields.
When choosing the best sweet pepper for the regions of the Urals, you need to focus on the winter hardiness of the variety, its adaptability to a certain light zone and short, cool summer. All this can be initially incorporated into the hybrid by breeders, but the main set of conditions for heat-loving sweet peppers must be met by gardeners themselves.
Here are just a few recommendations from Ural farmers who receive early and mid-season Ural sweet peppers on their plots:
Germination of planting material
Despite some recommendations from manufacturers that seeds should begin to germinate and harden in February, for Ural soils this event should be carried out no earlier than March 20. As soon as the seeds hatch, sow them immediately.
Growing strong, disease-resistant seedlings
The hatched seeds are sown in opaque cups. Since the pepper root is too weak and easily injured, it is better if the planting material is planted in disposable peat containers. The second rule is to never let the seedlings dry out, watering the seedlings regularly. The air temperature in the room where the pepper grows should not fall below 25-260WITH.
Warm air and soil
Be sure to prepare beds for transferring seedlings to open ground. If the soil is prepared and insulated correctly, high yields are guaranteed. At a time when the seedlings are already prepared for transfer, you need to place heated plastic bottles with water or natural stone on the beds, which gives off heat at night and heats up under the sun's rays during the day.
The same applies to air temperature. Transplant peppers into open ground only when the temperature is guaranteed not to drop below 14-160WITH.During the process of growth, flowering and fruiting, the ideal temperature is 260C. Mid-season and early varieties of pepper for the Urals love neutral soils. 2.5 weeks before transferring the seedlings to open ground, fertilize the soil with compost.
Watering and lighting
It's no secret that sweet bell peppers love regular watering and direct natural light. The most effective way to retain moisture in the soil is mulching. Immediately after transferring the seedlings to a permanent place of growth, mulch the beds. The layer of mulch should not be lower than 20 cm, so during the entire period of flowering and fruiting, be sure to add fresh mulch to the bush. Pepper should not grow in the open scorching sun, but providing it with natural light throughout the day is simply necessary.
Forming sweet peppers
The best varieties of pepper for the Urals require regular pinching. In order for the bush to be powerful and the plant to grow, remove the first flower that appears on it. Pinching will also need to be carried out after the formation of three or more branches, however, it must be carried out after the seedlings have fully adapted to the open ground and are rooted.
Forming the desired harvest is also important. There is no need to leave all the ovaries on the bush, since the plant will devote its energy to fruit growth. There will be a lot of peppers, but there is no guarantee that they will all have time to ripen before the cold weather arrives.Leave the fruits that have already appeared on the bush, the rest of the ovaries, if there are a lot of them, remove them. Also pay attention to tall varieties of pepper - be sure to remove the leaves from the lower part of the stem during the growth process.
Feeding with fertilizers
Experienced farmers of the Urals use several main types of mixtures and formulations for fertilizing. Throughout the entire growth period, the bushes are fed with ash 3-5 times and about six times with any bio-infusion suitable for this variety. This is quite enough for the crop to produce stable and tasty harvests.
In addition to these simple recommendations, when growing productive varieties of pepper in the regions of the Urals, pay attention to the regularity and frequency of watering. Do not allow the soil to dry out under any circumstances.
The best early varieties of sweet bell pepper for the Urals
Montero
The full growing season is less than 100 days from the formation of the first shoots. The plant is a tall bush, growing up to 120 cm and higher in greenhouses. When planting in open ground and in film shelters, it requires supports and garters.
The shape of the fruit is slightly elongated, with an average weight of up to 200 g. The skin is dense, glossy, and during the period of biological maturity it has a bright red (closer to scarlet) color. Wall thickness – 7-8 mm. In the Urals it is recommended for growing in greenhouses, but also feels good in open areas if film protection from the wind is provided.
United
Another universal and early ripening variety that has received well-deserved recognition among gardeners in the Urals. Suitable for growing under film covers and in open ground. The plant is a low-growing bush, the height of which does not exceed 80 cm even in a greenhouse.The pepper is cube-shaped, with a wall thickness of 10 mm, and an average weight of one fruit of up to 200 grams.
Distinctive features of the Edino variety are high yields even at low temperatures and high soil moisture associated with heavy rains. This is one of the few varieties whose seedlings do not need to be kept indoors. At stable warm temperatures, planting material is sown directly into the ground.
Winnie the Pooh
Refers to early ripening varieties, with a full growing season in open ground - up to 110 days. The plant is very small. The bush rarely rises above the ground higher than 35-40 cm. The fruits ripen together and look very beautiful on the bushes in the form of scarlet bouquets. The weight of one Winnie the Pooh pepper is 50-70 grams, however, this does not in any way affect the excellent taste of this variety.
Amber
An early ripening variety for growing in the Urals. No more than 115 days pass from the first shoots to harvest. The color of the fruits of the “Amber” sweet pepper is orange, which is where the variety gets its name. The plant is medium-sized - 80-90 cm, in a greenhouse it requires additional supports and garters.
The fruits are cone-shaped and large in size. The weight of one pepper is from 110 to 130 g, and the wall thickness is 7-8 mm. “Yantar” is a high-yielding variety, however, throughout the entire fruiting period it requires mandatory feeding with mineral and organic fertilizers.
Agapovsky
An amazingly beautiful scarlet pepper that produces early and stable harvests in film shelters and in open areas. The weight of one fruit at full ripening reaches 120-140 grams, with a wall thickness of up to 8 mm. The fruits are juicy, have excellent taste, and tolerate long-term storage and transportation.
Kolobok
An early-ripening variety of sweet pepper, bred specifically for the northern regions of the country. The bush during the period of growth arrest does not exceed 30 cm and is compact. This quality of the variety makes it possible to significantly compact the planting of seedlings in beds and greenhouses.
The “Kolobok” fruits have a smooth, rounded shape, with an average weight of one pepper – up to 150 grams. Wall thickness 5-6 mm. The variety is characterized by high and consistent yield. This is one of the few varieties whose fruits can be harvested slightly unripe to give the plant strength to cope with the ripening and growth of the remaining crop.
Nikitich
An early-ripening variety of sweet pepper with low spreading bushes and large fruits, painted in a rich dark red color. The average weight of one Dobrynya Nikitich pepper is 130-150 grams, and the wall thickness can reach up to 10 mm.
The growing season is 110 days from the first seed pipping. The plant is resistant to TMV, root and fruit rot. Tolerates minor drought or, conversely, overwatering of the soil in open ground. The fruits have juicy, aromatic pulp and are universal. They have proven themselves well in canning and freezing for the winter.
Knight
A variety of bell pepper intended for tunnel shelters and open areas. The plant is a low-growing bush, 45-50 cm high. The fruits are cone-shaped with a dense glossy skin, colored dark red. The average weight of one pepper is 130-140 g, with a wall thickness of up to 8 mm.
The distinctive features of the Vityaz variety include resistance to viral diseases, slight drops in soil temperature, and short-term drought.
Mid-season varieties of sweet peppers for the Urals
Atlant
Pepper variety "Atlant" is adapted for cultivation in open ground and film tunnel shelters. The ripening period of the crop ranges from 110 to 125 days. The fruits are smooth, conical in shape, and colored red when biologically ripe. The variety is classified as large-fruited - the weight of one Atlant pepper is from 200 grams and above, with a wall thickness of 5-6 mm.
Distinctive features of the Atlant sweet pepper variety are resistance to sudden temperature fluctuations and high taste.
Bogatyr
A mid-season variety with a fruit growing season of up to 130 days. The fruits are large, cone-shaped. The average weight of one “Bogatyr” pepper is 200-250 g, with a length of 15-17 cm. The bush is medium-sized, spreading. In greenhouse conditions, it is recommended to tie the plant.
Distinctive features of the variety are resistance to TMV, fungal infections of the soil, preservation of quality characteristics and presentation during long-term storage and transportation. The variety is very popular among gardeners in the Urals, especially if crops are harvested for canning or sale.
Red and yellow bull
These are mid-season varieties of peppers, differing only in the color of the fruit. The pepper is prismatic and very large in size. The weight of one fruit at full ripening can reach 220 grams, with a wall thickness of up to 8 mm. The growing season begins on the 110-115th day from seed hatching.
Red And yellow bull are characterized by high productivity. From one bush in August or September you can harvest up to 8-10 kg of crop.
Merchant
Mid-season variety with a ripening period of up to 120 days. The bush is medium-sized, and even in greenhouse conditions it does not grow higher than 90 cm. The fruits are cylindrical in shape and small. The weight of one “Merchant” pepper is 100-120 g.
The distinctive features of the “Merchant” variety are that when seedlings are planted in the ground in the middle or end of May, the harvest can be harvested from the beginning of September until the first cold snap on the soil. The plant tolerates sudden cold snaps and minor drought well. Up to 4-5 kg of crop is harvested from one bush.
Useful tips and tricks
And some more useful tips for those who grow peppers in their summer cottages and gardens in the Urals:
- You need to transfer seedlings if the air temperature outside remains stably around 150C. At first, cover with film or spunbond at night;
- Resistance to low night temperatures can be added to the plant by means such as Zircon or Epin.
By following all the necessary recommendations for growing sweet peppers in the Urals, you can achieve quite good results and grow a tasty and large harvest. For more information about the varieties and cultivation of sweet peppers in the Urals, watch the video:
I never went through the seed preparation procedure, germination was very low, the plant was always strong, but there were few peppers and they often rotted. Next season I will do everything according to the rules, I hope for a better result.