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Growing sweet bell peppers has long ceased to be the exclusive prerogative of residents of the southern regions. Many gardeners in the middle zone, as well as in regions with unstable weather conditions in summer, such as the Urals and Siberia, boldly undertake planting sweet pepper bushes not only in greenhouses, but often in open ground, covering them from adverse conditions with a variety of protective non-woven materials. The yield forecasts in such conditions will be especially favorable for early ripening varieties and hybrids of pepper. And in this sense, the earlier the fruits ripen, the more promising this type of pepper becomes for Siberia, where the summer months can be quite warm, but very short.
In the last decade, a hybrid variety of pepper from Holland, Gypsy, has become noticeably popular. This hybrid has many attractive qualities, and, above all, super early ripening. Although, according to reviews from gardeners, the Gypsy F1 pepper has some disadvantages, apparently, the number of its advantages clearly outweighs the scales, since the hybrid continues to be popular not only among professionals and farmers, but also among ordinary gardeners and summer residents.
Description of the hybrid
Pepper Gypsy F1, a detailed description of which you can find later in the article, was bred at the beginning of the 21st century in the Netherlands.In 2007, it was officially entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia for cultivation in all regions of our country, both in open ground and under film or polycarbonate covers. In Russia, its seeds are distributed by Simenis (Monsanto) and can be found in the packages of some seed companies, such as Altai Seeds, Lita Chernozemye, Agros and others.
Gypsy pepper belongs, one might say, to the ultra-early ripening varieties of sweet pepper. According to the originator, the first fruits at the stage of technical maturity can be harvested already 85-90 days after emergence. In the characteristics and descriptions of the hybrid pepper variety Gypsy, you can also find the following figure - fruit ripening begins 65 days after planting pepper seedlings in a permanent place. Usually, pepper seedlings are planted in a permanent place at at least two months of age. Therefore, there is a certain contradiction here, but what all gardeners agree on in their reviews is that the Gypsy pepper really ripens one of the first, and in terms of early ripening it has practically no equal.
The bushes are formed of medium height, semi-spreading with medium-sized green leaves. One of the main disadvantages of this hybrid is the thinness of the stems, the small foliage of the bushes, the light green color of the leaves and, in general, the rather weak-looking habit of the plants. However, this usually does not affect the yield. Only Gypsy pepper bushes must be tied to supports, despite their small height. Otherwise, the stems may break under the weight of the fruit.
The productivity of this hybrid is at an average level, which, however, is not surprising.Since most early varieties of vegetables usually do not have high yields. Their advantage lies in something else - their fruits ripen at a time when other vegetables are just moving from the flowering stage to fruit set. From one square meter of gypsy pepper plantings, an average of 3.8 to 4.2 kg of fruit is collected. That is, approximately 10-12 peppers are formed on one bush.
The gypsy hybrid is resistant to many of the troubles that plague pepper plants during their growth and development, including many fungal and viral diseases. The originator specifically notes the special resistance of Gypsy to the tobacco mosaic virus.
Description of pepper fruits
The following characteristics can be observed in the fruits of gypsy pepper:
- The growth form of peppers is drooping, but the shape of the fruits themselves can be attributed to the Hungarian type, that is, it is classic, conical.
- The skin is quite thin, but at the same time dense and glossy.
- The thickness of the fruit walls is on average small, about 5-6 mm, although according to some reviews it can reach up to 8 mm.
- The fruits themselves are not particularly large in size; they reach 13-15 cm in length, and the widest part of the cone is 6 cm. The average weight of one peppercorn is 100-150 grams.
- The number of seed chambers is 2-3.
- Experts rate the taste of peppers as excellent. They are juicy, sweet, without the slightest hint of bitterness and very fragrant.
- The fruits at the initial stage of ripening are colored in a delicate light yellow shade, which resembles the color of ivory. The similarity is further enhanced by the waxy coating found on the outside of the fruit.
- During the process of ripening, the color of the peppers darkens and at the stage of biological maturity they become even red. Due to their early ripening, most fruits have time to fully color while still on the bushes and do not require ripening even in fairly northern regions of the country.
- The use of gypsy peppers is universal. Due to their small size, it is convenient to preserve them whole, as well as freeze them by nesting the cut fruits inside each other.
- They are very tasty fresh, and also as additives to various first and second courses. From dried fruits you can prepare paprika - a wonderful universal vitamin seasoning for the winter.
- Gypsy peppers store well because their fairly thick skin protects them from drying out.
- They are also able to withstand transportation over long distances.
Features of cultivation
Gypsy pepper, characterized by its early ripening, can be sown as seedlings at different times, depending on where you are going to grow it in the summer and when you can plant it in a permanent place. If you have a good greenhouse and you can plant seedlings there without fear of frost at the end of April - in May, then you can sow the seeds at the usual time - at the end of February, beginning of March. In this case, starting from June, you will be able to collect the fruits of the gypsy hybrid. By the way, fruiting in favorable conditions can last for a very long time - for several months.
If you have the opportunity to grow peppers only in open ground conditions or live in such a climatic zone that even peppers can be planted in a greenhouse no earlier than June, then it makes sense to sow the seeds of this hybrid for seedlings no earlier than the end of March - beginning of April.
According to gardeners, Gypsy peppers are especially difficult to tolerate picking and transplanting. To avoid disturbing the roots if possible, it is better to sow the seeds of this hybrid in separate pots. A good option would be to sow in peat tablets, especially since its seeds are quite expensive.
Gypsy pepper seedlings, like adult plants, do not look very powerful. Even with balanced feeding, you are unlikely to achieve vibrant, dark greenery from it. But this is a distinctive feature of this hybrid and should not bother you.
Gypsy peppers are planted in a permanent location at a density of no more than 5-6 plants per square meter. It is advisable to tie up the bushes immediately so as not to disturb the plants during flowering and fruiting. Feeding and watering are standard and necessary procedures for caring for these plants. On hot days, pepper bushes need to be slightly shaded from the scorching sun or planted a little in partial shade, since the bushes have few leaves and plants with fruits can get sunburned.
If all agrotechnical care work was carried out correctly, then gypsy pepper, as a rule, does not need additional treatments against pests and diseases.
Reviews from gardeners
Gardeners generally speak well of the Gypsy pepper, although there are many complaints about it regarding the appearance of the bushes.
Conclusion
Gypsy pepper is capable of attracting the interest of all those whose weather conditions do not allow them to grow full-fledged, thick-walled, but long-ripening varieties. With it, you will always have a harvest, and already at a time when the bulk of the peppers are still preparing to bear fruit.
