Content
Hercules pepper is a hybrid variety obtained by French breeders. The variety gives a high yield and is distinguished by long-term fruiting. The hybrid is planted in open beds in the southern regions. In other climatic conditions, planting is done in a greenhouse.
Description of the variety
Description of Hercules F1 pepper:
- mid-early maturation;
- bush height 75-80 cm;
- fruiting 70-75 days after transfer of seedlings;
- yield per bush is from 2 to 3.5 kg.
Characteristics of the fruits of the Hercules F1 variety:
- cuboid shape;
- average weight 250 g, maximum – 300 g;
- wall thickness up to 1 cm;
- fruit length – 11 cm;
- As it ripens, it changes color from green to dark red;
- Even green fruits have a very sweet taste.
The fruits of the Hercules variety are suitable for fresh consumption, freezing and processing. Due to its good presentation, the variety is grown for sale.
Peppers can be harvested at the technical maturity stage. Then its shelf life is 2 months. If the fruits have already turned red on the bushes, then after picking they need to be processed as quickly as possible.
Pepper seedlings
The Hercules variety is grown by seedlings. Seeds are germinated at home. Before starting work, prepare the soil and planting material.When the pepper grows, it is transferred to a permanent place in an open area, in a greenhouse or greenhouse.
Preparing for landing
Seeds of the Hercules variety are planted in March or February. They are first wrapped in a damp cloth and kept warm for a couple of days. This treatment stimulates the appearance of sprouts.
If the seeds have a brightly colored shell, they are not treated before planting. This planting material has a nutrient shell, due to which the seedlings develop faster.
The soil for planting the Hercules variety is prepared from the following components:
- humus - 2 parts;
- coarse river sand – 1 part;
- land from the site - 1 part;
- wood ash - 2 tbsp. l.
The resulting soil is heated for 15 minutes in a microwave or oven. Boxes or individual cups are prepared for seedlings. One option is to use peat pots.
If you grow Hercules peppers in boxes, then when 1-2 leaves appear, you need to pick them out into separate containers. The culture does not tolerate such changes in conditions, so picking should be avoided if possible.
The crops are watered and the containers are placed under glass or film. Seed germination occurs at temperatures above 20 degrees. The emerging shoots are transferred to the window.
Conditions for seedlings
Seedlings of the Hercules variety are provided with certain conditions:
- temperature regime (in the daytime - no more than 26 degrees, at night - about 12 degrees);
- moderate soil moisture;
- regular watering with warm, settled water;
- ventilation of the room;
- absence of drafts;
- increased air humidity due to spraying.
Before transferring the plants to a permanent place, they are fed twice with Agricola fertilizer or Fertika. Between treatments take a break of 2 weeks.
2 weeks before planting, young plants need hardening. They are transferred to a balcony or loggia, first for several hours, then this period is gradually increased. Then the transplant will bring less stress to the peppers.
Planting peppers
The Hercules variety is planted in open areas, greenhouses or greenhouses. The transplant is carried out at the end of May, when the air temperature rises to 15 degrees.
Pepper prefers light soils with low acidity. The preparation of the beds is carried out in the fall, when the soil is dug up and added per 1 square meter. m rotted manure (5 kg), double superphosphate (25 g) and potassium sulfate (50 g).
The place for growing the Hercules variety is chosen depending on the crop that previously grew on it. Good predecessors for peppers are zucchini, cucumbers, onions, pumpkin, and carrots.
It is not recommended to plant if any varieties of peppers, eggplants, potatoes, or tomatoes previously grew in the garden bed. These crops have common diseases that can spread to new plantings.
The order of planting Hercules peppers:
- Preparing holes 15 cm deep.
- The holes are placed in increments of 40 cm. 40 cm are also left between the rows.
- Add 1 tbsp to each hole. l. complex fertilizer including potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Plants are moved into pits along with a lump of earth.
- The roots of the peppers are covered with earth, which is lightly compacted.
- Plants are watered abundantly.
After transplantation, peppers require about 10 days to adapt. During this period, no moisture or fertilizer is added.
Care plan
According to reviews, Hercules F1 pepper responds positively to watering and fertilizing. Caring for the variety also includes loosening, mulching the soil with humus, and forming a bush.
The Hercules variety is formed into 1 stem when planted in open areas. If plants are planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse, then 2 stems are left. Side shoots are removed from peppers.
Watering the plantings
Before flowering, it is enough to water the peppers every week. When fruiting, plants are watered twice a week. Each bush requires 3 liters of water.
When the fruits are forming, the intensity of watering is increased to 2 times a week. To stimulate the ripening of Hercules fruits, watering is stopped 10-14 days before harvest.
The Hercules variety is watered from a watering can at the root. Moisture is taken from the barrels when it has settled and warmed up. Exposure to cold water is stressful for plants. For watering, choose the evening or morning period.
Feeding peppers
Regular feeding of Hercules F1 pepper stimulates its development and fruit formation. During the season, plants are treated by spraying and applying fertilizers at the root.
After planting the plants, the first fertilizing is based on a solution of urea (10 g) and double superphosphate (3 g) per 10 liters of water. 1 liter of the resulting fertilizer is applied to the plants.
During flowering, Hercules F1 peppers are fed with boric acid (4 g per 2 liters of water). The solution stimulates fruit formation and prevents the ovaries from falling off. Fertilizer is applied by spraying.When you add 200 g of sugar to the solution, pepper flowers will attract pollinating insects.
Repeated feeding of the Hercules variety with phosphorus and potassium is carried out during the ripening period of peppers. Plants are watered at the root.
Protection from diseases and pests
The Hercules variety is not susceptible to a number of diseases:
- bacterial spot;
- tobamovirus;
- tobacco mosaic;
- late blight.
Viral diseases are the most dangerous for peppers. To combat them, the affected plants are destroyed and the place where the crop is planted is changed.
Fungal diseases spread in dense plantings with high humidity. You can fight them with the help of the drugs Fundazol, Oxychom, Akara, Zaslon. If the product contains copper compounds, then the treatment is carried out before flowering and after harvesting the fruits.
The Hercules variety is attacked by pests that feed on their cell sap, roots and leaves. Insecticides Keltan or Karbofos are effective against insects and are used according to the instructions. Folk remedies include onion peel infusion, tobacco dust, and wood ash.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
According to the description, Hercules F1 pepper is distinguished by smooth ripening of fruits, sweet taste and high commercial qualities. The variety is resistant to diseases, but requires constant watering and fertilizing during cultivation. The fruits of the variety have universal use, suitable for preparing soups, side dishes, salads, snacks and homemade preparations.
