Many gardeners have already paid attention to the new variety of sweet and hot bell peppers. The vegetable has an amazing shape and is suitable not only for cooking, but also for decorating the site. The variety has many advantages and grows well both in the greenhouse and outdoors. Characteristics, cultivation of the Bellflower in the article.
Description and characteristics of bell pepper
Let's start with a description of the variety. It belongs to a rare type of berry pepper. The bushes reach 2 meters in height. The fruits have an unusual bell-shaped shape. Main characteristics:
- late-ripening variety;
- yield up to 1.5 kg per bush;
- average fruit weight 50g;
- sweet-spicy taste (combines bitter and sweet taste);
- the growing season is 140-150 days.
During ripening, the bell can have different shades of fruit - red, pink, light green, orange. On the site it looks unusual and unique, at the same time being an ornamental plant.
Growing seedlings should be started at the beginning of February. It takes about 150 days from the appearance of the first shoots to harvest. Like many pungent species, the variety is resistant to diseases and pests.
Variety history
The bell is native to southern Africa, where it is very popular today.... Only a few decades ago, the variety was brought to us. Gardeners have a unique opportunity to grow peppers of an unusual look and taste.
For the first time, mention of pepper was discovered three thousand years ago in ancient Indian scriptures. Therefore, India is considered the progenitor of the vegetable.
Advantages and disadvantages
Undoubtedly, there are much more pluses in the Kolokolchik variety than minuses. Main advantages:
- the variety is perennial;
- can be planted immediately in pots, and then taken away for the winter;
- in a greenhouse you can get a big harvest;
- the variety is suitable for preparing a huge number of dishes: canning, salads, drying, for snacks, stuffing;
- contains a large amount of B vitamins;
- hot peppers contain serotonin, the hormone of joy.
The only drawback of the variety is that it will have to be expected within 5 months.
Planting seeds
Gardeners recommend planting the Bellflower seedling method. There are no differences in the care of this variety in comparison with conventional varieties. Seed preparation begins in early February. Seeds can be bought in a specialized store or asked from neighbors who have already managed to grow this variety.
Before sowing seeds, you need to select them. To do this, separate large, medium from small. You can determine empty among the seeds as follows: add 20 grams to a glass of water. salt and put the seeds there. Those that surfaced are considered empty. You can safely throw them away.
In addition to selection, an important procedure is seed disinfection. This will require 1% potassium permanganate. Dip the seeds for half an hour in the solution, and then dry them. The procedure is performed immediately before sowing.
After soaking, the seeds should be put on cheesecloth and left to germinate. When the seeds are swollen, you can plant them in seedling pots.
Growing seedlings
The bell does not tolerate picking, so it is better to plant seeds for seedlings immediately in peat pots with a diameter of 10 cm. Large pots are not advisable as the peppers slowly develop root systems.
The soil should be light and loose, consisting of: humus and sand 1: 1. Add 20 grams of ash per kilogram of soil. Landing rules:
- After germination of the change, you need to place it in a damp cloth for a couple of days at t + 20.
- You need to plant a change to a depth of 3-4 cm. Sprouts can be obtained after a few days.
- It is recommended to water the ground immediately and cover the pot with foil.
- When the sprouts hatch, place the seedlings where t + 25 + 28 is maintained during the day, +15 at night.
- Watering the plant infrequently, so that the roots do not rot.
- Watering is carried out with warm water.
- Seedlings need additional lighting (especially in February-March).
A week before transplanting into open ground, gradually accustom the seedlings to cooler air. To do this, you need to take out the pots for several hours in fresh air.
Outdoor transplant
When 3-4 leaves appear, the seedlings can be transplanted into open ground. The best time is when mine starts, when the temperature at night has already stabilized to + 13C.
Disembarkation rules:
- The transplant is carried out so as not to damage the roots of the seedlings. The best time is evening.
- There should be a distance of 40 cm between the rows.
- The place in the garden should be sunny, windless.
- It is recommended to add ash to the hole and pour a little potassium permanganate solution.
- The seedlings are moved into the hole until the leaves. The soil is mulched and watered.
Growing conditions
The care is as follows:
- water only with warm water;
- 14 days after planting, fertilize the soil with a mullein;
- during the flowering period, add an ash solution;
- and after another 20 days, fertilize with calcium and potassium;
- when the formation of a bush takes place, it is recommended to pinch the side shoots;
- a month before harvesting, you need to pinch all the shoots.
While the fruit is green, it tastes sweet. As soon as the pepper starts to turn red, it becomes hot. Green peppers ripen within 7 days.
Diseases and pests
The bell is susceptible to aphid attack. To neutralize plants from pests, you can prepare the following solution:
- 200 g of tobacco and 10 g of ground pepper are brewed.
- A little laundry soap is rubbed into the mixture.
- Everything is diluted in 10 liters of water.
- The product is sprayed onto leaves and soil.
Celandine solution will help from the Colorado potato beetle, you can also plant beans next to the pepper. She repels insects.
Reviews of gardeners
Anna, Moscow region:A spider mite appears on my site every year. He also attacks pepper. To get rid of the insect, I use a mixture of onion and garlic infusion. I spray the plant in any period of its growth.
Julia, Krasnodar region:For seedlings, I use soil from the site and ash. I pierce holes at the bottom of the pot for easy suction of water. I like peppers very much. Sweet-sour-spicy to taste.
Conclusion
The variety will decorate any garden, because the fruits look very elegant and look great on the festive table. Can be used for seasoning preparation. Moreover, it can be stored in this form for a whole year.