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Pepper is a prominent representative of vegetable crops. It contains a lot of useful microelements and vitamins. At the same time, the external qualities of the vegetable are amazing: the different shapes and colors of the fruit amaze the human imagination. Green, yellow, orange, and red peppers have long been grown by gardeners around the world. But purple pepper can be considered absolutely exotic. It is unique not only in color, but also in its agrotechnical features. Unfortunately, there are not too many purple varieties and the most famous of them are listed below.
Differences between purple peppers
The purple color of the vegetable is caused by the increased content of anthocyanin. This purple pigment is present in almost all cultures, but at low concentrations its presence is unnoticeable. At the same time, a high concentration of anthocyanins gives the plant and its fruits not only a unique color, but also resistance to cold, which is especially important for such a heat-loving crop as pepper.
Anthocyanins allow the plant to absorb solar energy and convert it into heat, thereby increasing the viability of the plant. Thus, many purple peppers can be grown in the northern regions of Russia.
Anthocyanins are also essential for the human body because they can have the following effects:
- destroy harmful bacteria.In the process of treating colds, it is recommended to increase the consumption of anthocyanins by 1.5 times;
- strengthen the walls of blood vessels, including in the retina of the eyes;
- lower intraocular pressure.
A person who regularly consumes foods rich in anthocyanins has a strong immune system and sharp vision. Purple peppers, along with other vitamins, contain a huge amount of this substance, so a unique vegetable grown in your own garden can become not only tasty, but also extremely healthy food.
Purple pepper varieties
Among purple peppers there are varieties and hybrids. They all differ in color, shape, taste, and yield. Choosing the best variety is quite difficult. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, a novice gardener should “listen” to the reviews and recommendations of experienced farmers. Thus, according to farmers, the best purple peppers adapted to domestic latitudes include:
Arab
The “Arap” variety “looks” great both in the garden and on the table. Its color is very deep, dark purple. The surface is glossy, with a very thin peel. The walls of the vegetable are of medium thickness (6.5 mm) very juicy and sweet, and are particularly tender.
The vegetable is characterized by a cone-shaped shape. The weight of each fruit is approximately 90-95 g. It is recommended to sow pepper seeds for seedlings in March, and already 110 days after that you can enjoy the first harvest. Both indoor and outdoor areas are excellent for cultivating the variety. The plant tolerates temperatures above +12 painlessly0WITH.
The bush of the "Arap" variety is medium-sized. Its height reaches 75 cm. The plant needs regular loosening, watering and feeding.Its total yield in favorable conditions is 5.5 kg/m2.
Maxim F1
Pepper "Maxim F1" is a hybrid. It was obtained by the domestic breeding company Semko-Unix. Each bush of this crop simultaneously produces dark red and purple peppers. Vegetables of this variety have a cone-like shape. Their average length is in the range of 9-10 cm. The weight of one vegetable ranges from 60 to 80 g. The thickness of its walls is small (0.5-0.6 mm). For the crop to ripen, at least 120 days must pass from the day of sowing the seed.
You can grow purple peppers of the Maxim F1 variety using seedlings. In this case, sowing the seed should be done in March. Pepper can be cultivated in open ground or in greenhouses. The bush of the plant is semi-spreading, medium-sized. Its height reaches 90 cm, which undoubtedly requires a garter. The recommended placement scheme for peppers involves growing 4-5 bushes per 1 m2 soil. The productivity of the Maxim F1 variety is 8 kg/m2.
Othello F1
The hybrid "Othello F1" is another representative of the domestic selection. Its distinctive feature is the short ripening period of peppers - 110 days. The fruits of this variety are deep purple in color when ripe. Their shape is cone-like, length ranges from 11 to 14 cm. The weight of each fruit is from 100 to 120 g. The pulp of the purple pepper “Othello F1”, 7 mm thick, is distinguished by its sweetness and juiciness. You can evaluate the external qualities of the vegetable by looking at the photo below.
The variety can be grown in protected and open ground. The best time to sow seeds for seedlings is March. If grown early, you can taste the harvest already in June. Plants of this variety are vigorous, so you should not sow them densely.The recommended scheme for the variety is 3 plants per 1 m2 soil. Mandatory operations during cultivation are gartering, watering, loosening, and fertilizing. In gratitude for proper care, the pepper bears fruit in a volume of 9 kg/m2.
Lilac fog F1
This hybrid has a light purple color. Some fruits on the bush are red in color when ripe. The shape of the peppers is like a truncated pyramid. Each vegetable weighs around 100 g. The pulp of the fruit is juicy and its thickness is average. The variety is disease-resistant, tolerates cold weather well, and is recommended for cultivation in the northern regions of Russia.
From the day of sowing the seed until the fruits of this variety ripen, you must wait 120 days. Open ground and greenhouses are suitable for cultivation. The bush of the plant has an average height, so it is planted at the rate of 3 bushes per 1 m2. Each bush of this variety bears peppers in a volume of up to 2 kg, which ensures a total yield of up to 6 kg/m2.
Amethyst
"Amethyst" is recognized as one of the best cold-resistant varieties. It has an amazing, record yield for the crop, up to 12 kg/m2. At the same time, the fruit ripening period is short - 110 days. One plant produces red and purple vegetables, weighing up to 160 grams. The walls of the pepper are fleshy, juicy, and especially sweet. The variety is characterized by a unique, pronounced aroma.
The Amethyst variety can be grown in greenhouses or open ground. The plant is compact, of medium height (up to 60 cm). This allows you to plant 4 bushes per 1 m2 soil.
Oh yeah
An excellent variety of sweet pepper. Its fruits range in color from light purple to dark purple. Their shape is cuboid, weight varies from 100 to 150 g. The pulp is juicy, aromatic, sweet. Peppers are used for preparing fresh salads, canning and preparing paprika as an additional component.
Peppers of the Oda variety require at least 115 days to ripen. The bushes of the plant are compact, low-growing (up to 50 cm), and do not require staking. The variety is resistant to cold and disease and is recommended for cultivation in areas with difficult climatic conditions. The total pepper yield is 6 kg/m2.
Eastern Star (purple)
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Pepper “Star of the East” is familiar to many gardeners. It is represented by a number of varieties, with fruits of different colors. So, under this name you can find vegetables of red, yellow, orange, golden, chocolate, white and, of course, purple. The purple “Star of the East” surprises with its beauty and deep dark purple color. The vegetable is recommended for cultivation in Russian conditions, and the poor climate of some regions is not an obstacle to its cultivation.
The variety is early ripening, pepper fruits ripen in 100-110 days. Their shape is cuboid. Each vegetable weighs about 200 g. Its walls are thick and fleshy.
Sowing seeds of this variety for seedlings can be done in March-April, depending on the climatic characteristics of the area. The plant develops favorably at temperatures above +100C. The total crop yield is 7 kg/m2.
Pepper belongs not only to the category of heat-loving, but also quite fastidious crops. Therefore, in addition to choosing a variety, attention should be paid to cultivation rules. The features of growing vegetables are described in detail in the video:
conclusions
Purple sweet pepper, due to its agrotechnical features and adaptability to cold weather, is excellent for the central and northwestern parts of Russia. Each variety of this unusual vegetable undoubtedly brings aesthetic and taste pleasure, as well as irreplaceable health benefits. By choosing a good variety and following all the rules of cultivation, every farmer will be able to grow a marvelous harvest with his own hands.
