Content
Among the many modern varieties of sweet peppers, it is easy to get confused not only for beginners, but also for professionals. Among the peppers, there are also those that were bred relatively long ago, but somehow got lost in the general flow of new products, the volume of which only increases every year. This happened with the Polet pepper, which is grown with pleasure by professional vegetable growers and farmers, but is little known to ordinary summer residents and gardeners. This variety of pepper is valued by professionals, first of all, for its attractive presentation and amazing aroma, which also last for a long time. But gardeners may also be interested in getting to know this variety of sweet pepper.
Description of the variety
Perhaps one of the reasons for the insufficient prevalence of Polet pepper among Russian gardeners is that it owes its appearance to the scientific breeders Yu.I. Panchev. and Ilyenko T.S., who work at the NIITSSSA (Research Center for Seed Breeding and Agricultural Technology), located in Transnistria. In Moldova and Ukraine, Polet pepper is quite widespread. And in Russia it appeared only in the 90s of the last century.In 1997, it was included in the State Register of Russia with recommendations for cultivation in open ground in the Central Black Earth and North Caucasus regions. In other regions of Russia, it is advisable to grow this pepper in greenhouses or at least in greenhouses, which is quite realistic, given the small height of its bushes.
Poljot pepper bushes are standard, medium-leaved, do not exceed 45-50 cm in height. Large dark green leaves are ovoid in shape. Judging by the reviews, Polet pepper can be classified as mid-early (the fruits ripen 80-110 days after germination) or mid-ripening (when the growing season to technical maturity is 120-130 days), depending on the growing conditions.
In any case, in order for the fruits to reach biological maturity (acquiring the color required for pepper according to its characteristics), it is necessary to wait another 10-20 days.
As for the yield of Polet pepper, there are some discrepancies between the actual results obtained and the declared characteristics in the description of the variety. The originator states that the potential yield of this pepper variety can be up to 8-9 kg per square meter. In terms of hectares in industrial cultivation, this amounts to about 80 -90 tons of pepper fruits per hectare of plantings.
According to reviews from farmers, when planting Polet pepper in the fields in the Central Black Earth region, they were able to achieve a yield of only about 1.5-2 kg per square meter. In the North Caucasus region, the situation with the yield of this pepper was better, but still it could not produce more than 3-4 kg of marketable fruit per square meter.Perhaps, yield figures closer to the declared ones can be obtained by growing this pepper in greenhouse conditions. In addition, the harvesting period is quite extended and in the total harvest over several months it is quite possible to collect up to 8-9 kg per square meter.
The plants tolerate relative cold well, are able to recover quite quickly from stress, and set fruit well in conditions of sudden temperature fluctuations.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of Polet pepper have a very attractive appearance and have the following characteristics:
- The shape of the fruit is regular, cone-shaped, with a wide base, while the edges are weakly expressed. The fruits are located, drooping towards the ground.
- The surface of the skin is shiny and smooth.
- There are only 2-3 seed chambers inside. The flesh is juicy and even crispy. Peppers contain from 7.2 to 8.3% dry matter.
- The color of the fruits at the stage of technical maturity is light green, but when they are fully ripe, they become dark red.
- Peppers can be of different sizes depending on growing conditions, but, as a rule, they are quite large, weighing from 100 grams. Individual peppercorns can reach 250-300 grams. The fruits reach 15 cm in length and 6-10 cm in circumference.
- The thickness of the walls at the stage of technical maturity reaches 6 mm, and at biological maturity – 8 mm.
- Taste characteristics are rated as good and excellent. The fruits, even at the stage of technical maturity, already contain from 2.4 to 4.2% sugars and about 55 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of pulp.
- But the main thing that distinguishes the fruits of this variety is the pronounced peppery aroma that lasts for a long time.
- The purpose of the fruits is universal, since they are equally good in salads, in preparing main courses and in various twists. The fruits can be frozen.
- Peppers have good keeping quality and high transportability. For up to two to three weeks, they practically do not change their attractive appearance and aroma, which cannot but interest agricultural producers.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Pepper Polet has many advantages that make it attractive for growing both on farms and in home gardens:
- High yields;
- Sets fruit well in conditions of temperature fluctuations;
- Excellent presentation of the fruit and excellent aroma;
- Good preservation of fruits and their transportability.
Polet pepper also has some disadvantages:
- The size of the fruit, as well as the yield, strongly depend on the growing conditions.
Features of cultivation
Without a seedling period in Russian conditions, growing any variety of sweet pepper is impossible. Polet pepper seeds have good germination rate, about 90%, which allows sowing even without special treatment.
The timing of sowing seeds depends on the timing of planting seedlings in a permanent place. If you are going to grow seedlings in a greenhouse in the future, then you can plant them in May.Therefore, it is better to sow seeds no later than February. In the case of growing peppers in open ground, keeping in mind the relatively early ripening periods of this pepper variety, you can start sowing from the beginning of March.
Seeds can germinate from 4-5 days to two weeks. The time of fruit ripening is calculated from the moment more than half of all shoots appear. The first two to three weeks after germination, seedlings need at least 12 hours of daylight, so it is advisable to provide them with additional lighting. The temperature during this period should be moderate, about +20°+22°C, so that the root system is better formed. Watering is also minimal.
If you are growing seedlings of pickled peppers, then in the phase of the appearance of the first two true leaves, the plants must be carefully transplanted into separate containers. After transplantation, there may be some delay in development for 5-8 days. After the plants produce two leaves, they can be additionally fed. It is better to alternate watering with fertilizers with foliar feeding, that is, spraying on the leaf.
At the age of 65-75 days, when the seedlings are preparing to flower, they must be planted in a permanent place of growth. 25-35 cm are left between plants, and row spacing is made about 40-50 cm wide.
In the first days after planting, it is important to protect peppers from cold and excess moisture until the plant roots begin to work at full strength.
During the entire growth period, it is important to water the peppers very sparingly but regularly. It is advisable to use drip irrigation.
It is necessary to feed pepper plants at least three times during the growing season: before flowering, after flowering and during the period of fruit ripening.
The harvest usually begins in July and lasts several months until the onset of cold weather.
Reviews
Polet pepper is grown mainly by farmers and professional farmers, so there are few reviews. But those who have dealt with it recognize its qualities as worthy of growing it on their plot.
Conclusion
Pepper Poljot may be of interest to many gardeners for its attractive appearance, taste, and aroma. Its yield is also quite decent, and with suitable agricultural technology, record results can be achieved.
