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Hot pepper has many names, some call it “chili”, others like the name “spicy”. Today, more than three thousand varieties of hot pepper are known, all of them have their own characteristics. Eat red peppers, green, yellow, orange, purple and even chocolate ones. The shape of the peppers and their sizes also differ. But The main distinguishing feature is considered to be the heat or pungency of the fruit; its value is measured on the Scoville scale - the higher the SHU value indicated on the package with the seeds, the more “evil” the pepper will grow from them.
In this article we will look at the most famous hot pepper varieties, let's get acquainted with its characteristics and growing conditions.
How to grow hot peppers at home
Chilli The good thing is that it can be planted not only in a greenhouse or in a garden bed; very often this crop is planted in pots that decorate window sills or balconies.
Hot peppers came to Europe from tropical America and India. On these continents with a humid and hot climate, the crop is considered perennial - chili peppers can grow and bear fruit there all year round.
In the domestic climate, a heat-loving crop will have to be planted every season.Due to the long growing season (90 to 130 days), plants grown by seedlings:
- the seeds are pre-soaked and left in a warm place for pecking;
- plant the seeds in prepared loose soil;
- the pots are placed in a warm place where there are no drafts or temperature changes;
- 1-1.5 months after sowing, the seedlings can be transferred to a permanent place (in a greenhouse or on the ground).
What types of hot peppers are there?
Many people mistakenly believe that hot peppers must be red. Chili peppers can be colored in absolutely any shade. The same applies to the shape and size of the fruit. There are fruits whose length reaches 30 cm, and there are very small peppers, the size of which does not exceed a couple of centimeters.
In the tropics or in India, peppers grow with a pronounced fruity or citrus aroma and a pleasant taste. These fruits are used to make wonderful sauces, seasonings, and prepare exotic dishes.
The whole world classifies hot peppers into several main categories.:
- Chinese are considered the most burning.
- Mexican habanero are the most popular.
- Trinidad differ in taste, are used to prepare sauces and adzhik.
- 7 Pot grouped based on their unusual shape and pronounced fruity flavor.
- Jalapeño It loves warmth more than other species, so it is grown in greenhouses and conservatories. These are the varieties grown on the windowsills city apartments.
- Cayenne peppers are easy to recognize by their pungency and elongated shape; the bushes of these varieties are low and compact.
- Bush varieties, which include the famous Tabasco, are less popular, but also have their fans.
"Double Abundance"
This variety can be planted in open ground, but in greenhouse conditions the yield will be higher - up to 40 fruits can be harvested from each bush. Peppers do not ripen right away; they can be harvested up to five times per season.
The shape of the fruit is trunk-shaped, elongated. The length of each is about 20 cm, the average weight is 70 grams. When ripe, the pepper is colored red.
The walls of the peppers are quite thick, so they are not suitable for drying, but “Double Abundance” makes excellent preparations in jars, and the fruits can also be frozen.
The plant withstands strong summer heat and is not afraid of diseases and viruses.
"Burning bouquet"
This pepper can be grown both in a greenhouse and in the garden. The bushes grow small - up to 50 cm in height, not spreading. The branches of the plants do not need to be tied up, since the fruits of this variety are quite light.
The weight of one pod is only 15-20 grams, and the length is up to 12 cm. The shape of the fruit is cone-shaped, highly elongated, the peppers have a small diameter. At the stage of biological maturity, the fruits acquire a scarlet color.
The walls of the fruit are thin, they are excellent for drying and other uses.The pepper tastes pleasant, with a special aroma paprika.
"Chinese fire"
This variety is one of the hottest peppers. The bushes reach a height of 65 cm, they can be grown both in greenhouses and in open areas.
The peppers themselves are not very large - each weighs only 70 grams, but they are long - about 25 cm. When the fruit ripens, it becomes a rich red color. The pepper is shaped like a cone, but with a slightly curved lower part.
The culture is early ripening - the fruits can be harvested 90 days after germination. Plants resist viruses and diseases that are characteristic of the nightshade family.
"Trinidad Small Cherry"
The culture is considered super early - peppers can be eaten 70 days after the seeds hatch. The bushes grow powerful and spreading, their height often exceeds 0.8 meters.
In appearance, the fruits resemble cherries - they have the same round shape and small diameter - about 2 cm. The taste of peppers is also rich in cherry notes. Each bush produces a multitude of bright orange or scarlet peppercorns.
"Indian elephant"
These peppers are mildly hot, have a rich paprika aroma and a pleasant taste. The bushes are considered tall - their height often exceeds 130 cm, and the branches are spreading. Plants need to be tied up and are best grown in a greenhouse.
The shape of the fruit is trunk-shaped, the peppers are slightly drooping. At the ripe stage, the fruits are bright red and are divided into two chambers with testes. The wall thickness is approximately 1.5 mm, the weight of each pepper is about 30 grams.
If you grow the Indian Elephant variety in a greenhouse, you can get up to two kilograms of yield from every meter of land.
The taste characteristics allow this variety to be used as a seasoning, ingredient for any dish or sauce.
"Miracle of the Moscow Region"
A very productive variety, producing up to four kilograms of peppers per square meter. The bushes grow tall, with powerful side shoots and a small number of leaves.
The fruits themselves are cone-shaped, arranged droopingly, their surface is smooth and shiny. The length of the fruit can be up to 25 cm, and the diameter is small - about 3 cm.
The weight of each pod rarely exceeds 50 grams. The walls are quite thick - up to 2 mm. This variety has an unusual specific taste and a little pungency.
With proper care and timely watering, up to 20 peppercorns can ripen on one bush.
"Jalapeño"
A representative of one of the main types of hot pepper is the Mexican variety “Jalapeño”. The bushes of this plant are very tall - reaching one meter. The shoots are powerful and spreading. Up to 40 fruits can ripen simultaneously on one plant.
The peppers themselves are small - their length is no more than 10 cm. The shape of the fruit is barrel-shaped, slightly elongated. Peppercorns are dark green at first, but as they ripen they turn bright red.
"Habanero"
There are several varieties of this variety: there are peppers in red, yellow, orange, pink and chocolate shades. A distinctive feature of the variety is bruised fruits. Their shape is a cone.
Peppers grow small - the weight of one is only 15 grams. But each plant can ripen up to hundreds of fruits at the same time.
The taste of the fruits of this variety is also very unusual - they have strongly pronounced fruity notes mixed with strong pungency and pungency.
"Astrakhansky 147"
This variety is considered mid-season and high-yielding. It is quite possible to grow it in open ground, but in the northern regions of the country it is better to use film or agrofibre.
The fruits do not ripen at the same time, which provides the farmer with a regular harvest of fresh peppers. The height of the bush is small (up to 50 cm), the plants are not spreading, semi-standard. With proper care, up to 3.5 kg of hot fruits can be collected from one meter of land planted with this variety.
The shape of peppercorns is cone. The arrangement is drooping, the color is initially green, gradually turning into scarlet.
The surface of the fruit is smooth and shiny, the walls are thin. The weight of each pod is only 10 grams, and the length is 6 cm. Therefore, the variety can be used for preparing hot peppers for future use - dried and ground into powder.
"Cayenne Red"
Plants of this variety are very tall - more than 150 cm. They definitely need to be tied up, so it is better to grow them in a closed greenhouse.
Each bush is “decorated” with many pods - up to 40 peppercorns can ripen on one plant. The shape of the fruit is an elongated cone. Their length reaches 12 cm, but the diameter is very small - about 1.5 cm.
The surface of the fruit is glossy, initially green, and after biological ripening it becomes deep red. The taste of the fruit is moderately spicy.
Which varieties are more suitable for the domestic climate?
Almost all varieties of hot pepper can be planted in open ground.The exceptions are exotic species, hybrids of foreign selection and tall peppers that need to be tied up.
Information on how to grow the crop can be easily found on the seed packet, which also lists the pungency level of the pods (SHU). You need to eat hot peppers with extreme caution: in small doses this vegetable is very beneficial for the human body, but Excessive consumption of spicy fruits can lead to various diseases and pathologies.
