Bell peppers: characteristics and cultivation

Pepper is a familiar culture that is present in one form or another in the diet of almost every person. It has excellent taste.In addition, this vegetable is incredibly useful. Today, there are many varieties of sweet and hot peppers, each of which is attractive in its own way. In this article we will look at a novelty on the agricultural market - Bell Pepper, which has already managed to conquer many with its savory taste and unusual shape.

All varieties of peppers are beneficial to the human body. They contain vitamins, sugars, carotene, essential oils, acids, antioxidants, and various trace elements. The "Bellflower" variety is truly unique, as it combines both bitter and sweet-sour taste. The ripened fruits resemble bells in their form: the flesh near the stem is sharp. Pepper has a pleasant aroma, which adds spice to any dish.

Pepper "Kolokolchik" - comes from South America, in the domestic market, it appeared not so long ago. Moreover, it is very difficult to find a variety on sale - not a single Russian agribusiness company is engaged in its production.

The fruits of this variety are in harmony with cucumbers, tomatoes, used to prepare the first and second courses. But most of all they are suitable for preservation as an auxiliary ingredient. Peppers are well tolerated by freezing, to be dried. The food can be used as ripe fruit, which has a more spicy and spicy taste, and young, sweetish taste.

In the process of ripening, pepper changes not only its taste qualities, but also its appearance: immature fruits are colored dark green, over time they turn red, and mature fruits become dark red. The entire reddening stage takes a little more than a week.

"Bellflower" is quite a fruitful crop. From one bush you can collect about two kilograms of fruit. This is not surprising, because plants usually grow to 1.5-2 m in height. And since this variety is considered a multi-year crop, you can harvest more than one year in a row.

Judging by the characteristics, "Bell" refers to late-ripening varieties. For its cultivation are suitable open ground, greenhouses, even pots. To obtain a rich harvest, you need to properly pinch the lower young shoots and in time remove the stepchildren, thereby forming spreading bushes.

It is known that the "bell" is susceptible to diseases, as well as the habitual inhabitant of our beds - Bulgarian pepper. He "does not like" excessive moisture, suffers from cold snaps and scorching rays. Therefore, sometimes these bushes can be found on the verandas, attic, gazebos, where they are easy to tolerate the heat in the summer and wintering.

This variety has impressive advantages:

• the grade is long-term that considerably facilitates care of it;
• if necessary, the culture can be grown in small pots, forming neat bushes;
• fruits are edible in fresh and canned form;
• Pepper is rich in beneficial vitamins and microelements.

Kolokolchika has no serious shortcomings. However, he needs quality care. Otherwise, the occurrence of various diseases and the appearance of deformed fruits.

Observing all the rules of farming, the problems in the cultivation of this variety can be forgotten. In addition, having studied the reviews, it can be noted that the majority of vegetable growers have almost no difficulties with the "bell". Some acquire seeds with the desire to try to grow exotics. Others, on the contrary, are passionate about its valuable properties.

Not to mention the great benefits of the bitter sweet bell "bell" for the human body. Is he:

• promotes healing of the heart muscle, is an excellent prevention of stroke and heart attack;
• having a preventive property, protects against infectious and viral diseases;
• eliminates overstrain and uplifting
• improves the appearance of skin, hair, nails;
• helps to eliminate cholesterol from the body;
• strengthens bones;
• has a beneficial effect on the state of the circulatory system, heals the walls of blood vessels and makes them more elastic;
• promotes concentration, color perception;
• improves mental activity.

Pepper "Kolokolchik" perfectly fructifies both in open beds and in greenhouse conditions. Experts recommend planting this variety away from the place where other varieties of pepper will be grown so that no cross-pollination occurs between them.

To plant seedlings in the ground need to be grown. For seedlings, seeds are sown early enough (starting from January-February). Transplantation of the crop into the soil or greenhouse starts from the first days of May, when the air temperature no longer drops below + 16 ° C. When transplanting to the site, it is better to cover the bushes with a film, creating the effect of a greenhouse.

Pepper “Kolokolchik” is a heat-loving culture, therefore in case of a cold snap the bush stops in development and growth.

The growing season of pepper lasts about five months, which is why if you plan to replant the seedlings on the plot, you need to plant the seeds even in winter. Capacities for crops can be plastic or wooden. The main thing - to equip the drainage and make holes in the bottom of the container to remove excess moisture. As a filler for the tank, you can use the soil mixed with wood ash. At the same time 1/3 of the volume of the container should be left empty.

For normal growth and fruiting pepper need to provide a comfortable environment. The temperature in the room should be + 20-23 ° С, therefore at first tara with seedlings is placed in a very warm place. After the appearance of the first shoots, it can be rearranged to a cooler room.

It is worth noting that for the bittersweet variety, transplanting is a very traumatic process. Therefore, the majority of gardeners practicing the cultivation of "bell", do not dive seedlings. Many people sow seeds in individual cups or leave a lot of space in a common container.

Watering seedlings should be moderate. It is not necessary to flood the seedlings, but it is dangerous to leave them without regular watering - the plants will start to wither.

Not bad, if tubs with seedlings will be located in the fresh air. This will help to harden the seedlings and make the process of transplanting to the site less painful. By the way, some gardeners recommend planting peppers in cloudy weather or after sunset.

Between seedlings need to leave about 40 cm of free space. Since the "Bell" does not like direct rays, it is good if the landing site will be shaded by trees growing nearby. It is also worth choosing a place protected from strong wind.

When transplanting into the hole, pour a little wood ash, mixing it with a weak solution of manganese. This will help deter pests. In addition, the ash makes the soil moisture and loose. After planting, the bush must be mulched to protect the roots from overheating in the sun. Also, mulch is a good way to retain moisture in the soil.

As mentioned above, the seedlings do not dive. But if it is still necessary, then it should be done carefully, trying not to hurt the roots of the plants.

Spicy bitter sweet pepper is a unique culture. Therefore, care must be appropriate.

• Side shoots of pepper pinch after the start of flowering, but before the onset of cold weather. Pinch to below the very first ripened ovary. In the future, you need to eliminate all stepchildren growing vertically. A branch must be branched independently.
• Watered pepper to warm water after sunset.
• In no case can not fill the seedlings - in this case, the crop can not wait. Watering is carried out every three days.
• The soil around the bush should be regularly loosened and free from weeds.
• Before flowering, plants are treated with fungicides.
• It is necessary to fertilize pepper three times during the warm period. The first time the bushes are sprayed after landing for 14-15 days with a solution of water and mullein. Then the pepper is fed from the beginning of flowering, adding wood ash to the water for watering. 2-3 weeks after flowering, the soil is fertilized with minerals (potassium, phosphorus, calcium).

"Bell" is prone to almost all of the diseases which suffer sweet and bitter varieties of peppers.

• Gray rot. On the leaves appear gray spots that darken over time. The plant begins to slowly fade. If the disease is only at the initial stage, then you can try to cut off the infected shoots. If there was a strong defeat of gray rot, then the bush should be treated with fungicidal agents.

• Anthracosis. On the leaves and branches appear noticeable brown spots, which as the plant grows in size. The affected shoots are removed immediately, and the bush is sprayed with fungicides.

• Wilt. The disease passes quickly: the leaves turn yellow and fade. Growth stops, withering fruit. In this case, either the affected shrub should be removed completely or all infected shoots should be removed. As a preventive measure, regular soil loosening should be organized.

From aphids well helps solution of ash, soap and water. Instead of ash, you can take tobacco dust. A glass of ash and 1 tablespoon of liquid soap are thoroughly mixed in a bucket of water. After that, the leaves of the plant are sprayed from the spray. You can repeat the procedure twice a month.

Another “fan” of pepper leaves is the famous Colorado potato beetle. From it well helps solution celandine. Alternatively, near the pepper, you can plant beans. If a spider mite was found on the bush, you can water the bush with water previously infused with onions or garlic. A solution of water with mustard powder or black pepper helps the slugs well.

To learn how to properly form a pepper bush, see the following video.