The best pepper varieties for growing in greenhouses in the Northwest

The correct selection of suitable pepper seeds for further cultivation primarily depends on the varieties' ability to grow and bear fruit, taking into account the climatic characteristics of a particular region. This concerns the characteristic variability or even unpredictability of weather conditions and the resistance of the plants themselves to possible cold weather with the ongoing formation of ovaries and the ripening of the fruits themselves.

Rules for selecting varieties for the northwestern regions

Pepper varieties suitable for growing in the northwestern regions are characterized by short bushes and early ripening fruits—approximately 100–105 days from the emergence of seedlings. Tall bushes of mid- and late-ripening varieties can only be grown in fully protected, heated greenhouses. The advantage of using hybrids in such cases is the ability to obtain a good harvest of large, fleshy fruits with minimal care.

Most varieties of pepper are characterized by their demand for:

• full sunlight;
• warm air;
• moderate regular watering of the soil with periodic use of mineral fertilizers.

Since northwestern regions are characterized by prolonged spring frosts and cloudy weather, at least until the third ten days of March, seeds for seedlings are sown 75 days before the planned planting in the permanent soil, approximately February 15–17. Varieties with large, juicy fruits take about five months to grow, so the first harvest can be expected as early as the second half of July.

If peppers are planned for greenhouse cultivation, plant resistance to sudden cold snaps and prolonged droughts are not essential selection criteria. When working with Dutch varieties and hybrids, it's important to keep in mind that their growing season lasts approximately seven months. The optimal solution for a good pepper harvest over a long period is to plant several pepper varieties that differ not only in color and fruit size, but also in ripening time. Late-ripening varieties should be kept to a minimum.

Review of varieties

When selecting seeds for different pepper varieties, consider their soil requirements, the amount of watering required per week, the need for staking and pinching, and their preferences for mineral and organic fertilizers. If the varieties you choose have similar requirements, caring for the plants themselves will be simpler and easier.

Bullfinch

An early-ripening pepper hybrid, the harvest can be completed as early as 105 days after the first seedlings emerge. At this stage, the dark green fruits reach technical maturity. The fruits reach full ripeness by the 120th day and acquire a rich red color. Pepper plants grow to 1.6–2.1 m in height but remain compact. The fruits are distinguished by their curved prism shape with rounded tips. The surface is smooth with subtle ribbing. The average pepper weight is approximately 120 g. The dense, juicy flesh is 5–7 mm thick, maintaining its characteristic crunch.

When planting, maintain a density of no more than 3 plants per square meter. At this rate, they will yield approximately 12.5–13 kg of a full harvest. The hybrid is resistant to potential tobacco mosaic disease. It is recommended to train the bushes into two main stems, regularly pinching out side shoots. Timely staking will prevent the clusters from breaking.

Mazurka

This hybrid is distinguished by its rich, sweet fruit flavor and is classified as a mid-season variety. The growing season lasts approximately 110–112 days from the time the first seedlings emerge. The bushes are indeterminate, so the tops are pinched in early July. This allows the nutrients consumed to be directed toward fruit development and ripening, rather than toward further stem growth and foliage density.

The hybrid's fruits are distinguished by their cubic shape and smooth, glossy surface. At the technical ripening stage, the peppers are dark green, which turns a rich red over time. The fruits grow quite large, weighing approximately 130–180 g. The juicy flesh is 5–6 mm thick and retains a balanced, sweet, and bitter-free flavor at both stages.

The hybrid is suitable for commercial cultivation. Plants are resistant to blossom-end rot, late blight, and tobacco mosaic.

Pinocchio

This hybrid boasts high yields with minimal care. It's an early-ripening plant, requiring no side shoots or top pinching. The bushes grow quite tall, from 70 to 100 cm, with a spreading habit and dense green foliage. The ripening period from seedling emergence lasts 88 to 100 days. The first stage indicates the technical readiness of the dark green fruits for use, while the second marks the moment of full biological maturity of the peppers, which acquire a rich red color and glossy sheen.

The sweet, juicy fruits average 100–115 g, allowing for a yield of 10.5–14 kg per square meter. The dense flesh is 5–6 mm thick, which is essential for the pepper's characteristic crunch. The fruits are versatile, suitable for fresh consumption, hot dishes, and canning for the winter. The plants' natural immunity makes them resistant to blossom-end rot, fusarium wilt, and tobacco mosaic, which appears as brown spots on leaves, stems, and fruits.

Spring

The fruit ripens to technical maturity in approximately 92–111 days, making this variety an early-ripening variety. At biological maturity, the peppers transform from a rich green color to a vibrant red. The bushes themselves grow quite tall and require timely, careful tying of the clusters. Ripening peppers are cone-shaped with slight ribbing and an average weight of approximately 85–110 g. The flesh is approximately 4–6 mm thick, preserving the aroma and balanced flavor of the fruit while maintaining a crisp, crunchy texture.

With proper care, you can expect a yield of 10-12 kg per square meter. The plants themselves are slightly susceptible to blossom-end rot, so preventative spraying is required. An important feature of this variety is its high vitamin C content—approximately 255 mg per average fruit.

Fiery

Pepper is an early-ripening hybrid, so when growing it, expect high yields, a balanced sweet flavor, and overall low-maintenance plant care. Technical ripening occurs as early as 100–104 days. Bushes reach a height of 1.4–1.8 m, necessitating tying them to additional support. The onset of biological ripening is indicated by the fruit's deep red color and glossy surface.

Pepper fruits are prismatic, slightly ribbed, and have a rounded tip, weighing approximately 80–95 g on average. Their walls are 5–6 mm thick, ensuring long-lasting flavor and crispness after harvest. With proper care, you can expect to harvest 12–13 kg of pepper per square meter of greenhouse space. Their natural immunity makes them resistant to tobacco mosaic disease.

Mercury

This hybrid is an early-ripening plant and is suitable for growing in greenhouses. Technical maturity occurs 89 to 100 days after the first seedlings emerge. At this stage, the peppers are dark green. At 120 to 140 days, the peppers acquire a rich red color, indicating biological maturity.

The bushes can reach 80-100 cm in height when grown in closed spring greenhouses and more than 160-170 cm if grown in heated winter rooms. Plants form into 2-3 main stems and do not require pinching. The fruits are large, conical with a rounded tip, and weigh an average of 100-120 g. The dense, juicy flesh increases the fruit's resistance to potential mechanical damage, making the hybrid easily withstand long-distance transport.

With proper care, you can expect to harvest 11.5–12 kg of fruit per square meter of protected, fertile soil. The plants are moderately resistant to tobacco mosaic and blossom-end rot. Planting should not exceed 3–5 plants per square meter.

Czardas

The popularity of this early-ripening pepper variety stems from the vibrant orange color of its ripe fruits, as well as its ability to compact fertile soil, as 5-10 plants can be planted per square meter. At technical maturity (95-100 days after germination), the peppers have a unique lemon hue. Full ripening occurs at 115-125 days.

The fruits themselves are cone-shaped, large, and weigh approximately 220 g on average. The bushes themselves remain quite compact, reaching only 60-70 cm in height. The variety's popularity among experienced gardeners is also due to the excellent shelf life of the harvested crop, as the fruits tend to retain their original appearance and flavor for two months. The variety's high yield allows for approximately 13-17 fruits to be harvested from a single bush, resulting in a yield of 9-10 kg per square meter.

cabin boy

Pepper bushes reach a height of no more than 50–60 cm, making them suitable for growing in sheltered greenhouses. Their compact size allows for dense planting in fertile soil. This variety is considered an early-ripening plant, as technical ripening occurs as early as 105–115 days after the first shoots emerge. Full ripening occurs between 132–137 days, when the dark green color turns deep red.

The average fruit weight is approximately 130–185 g. A single bush can yield at least 8–13 peppers. It is recommended to plant no more than 5–8 peppers per square meter of greenhouse space. This is one of the few varieties that can be planted two per hole. After harvest, the cone-shaped peppers retain their flavor and texture for 2–2.5 months. The peppers develop a balanced sweet flavor only when the fruit is biologically ripe.

Pilgrim

This hybrid is classified as a mid-season variety, with a growing season of approximately 120–126 days. It can be grown exclusively in protected soil. The fruits are distinguished by their cuboid shape with smooth edges and a distinctly glossy surface. Ripe red peppers average 100–140 g in weight. The sweet, juicy flesh is 7–8 mm thick, providing the necessary crunch.

The bushes grow tall, up to 1.8–2 m, so they require timely top pinching in early July and careful tying to additional support. No more than 3–4 plants per square meter should be planted. The bushes themselves should be pinched to form two main stems. You can expect to harvest 13–14 kg per square meter of fertile, loose soil.

The existing immunity of plants protects them from damage by tobacco mosaic and forms a moderate resistance to blossom-end rot.

Lero

The plant is a hybrid, so you can expect high disease resistance, increased yields, and early ripening of the peppers. The peppers are ready for harvesting in just 85 to 99 days, starting from the moment the sprouts emerge. The fruits themselves are heart-shaped and have smooth, glossy skin that turns from light green to red by the time they reach maturity.

The fruits grow to a medium size and weigh approximately 70–85 g. The sweet flesh is 7–9 mm thick, allowing the fruit to remain crisp and juicy. With proper care, a ripe harvest of approximately 14–15 kg per square meter can be achieved. This hybrid is resistant to tobacco mosaic disease and requires careful removal of the lower leaves to prevent the tops from touching the soil.

Lumina

This pepper variety is characterized by its low-growing bushes and a larger first harvest of fruits weighing approximately 115–120 g. Subsequent fruits are smaller in size, weighing up to 100 g. The fruit is elongated and conical in shape, with a developing pointed tip. The internal flesh is both firm and juicy, with a thickness of approximately 5–6 mm. As the fruit matures, the flesh takes on a beige color with a slight pale green tint. A significant advantage of this variety is the good shelf life of the harvested fruits—approximately 2.5–3 months.

The second important point concerns the plants' undemanding nature regarding soil conditions and subsequent care. A good harvest can be expected even with insufficient watering, but the fruits themselves often become pungent and bitter in taste.

Ivanhoe

This variety is considered an early-ripening plant, as the first fruits can be harvested as early as 115 days after the seedlings emerge. The bushes are medium-height. They don't require top pinching, but the developing fruit clusters do require staking. The fruits are smooth, conical, and weigh an average of 130–140 g. The dense, juicy flesh is 8 mm thick and, at biological maturity, is a vibrant orange or red color.

A key advantage of this variety is its ability to retain its attractive appearance and structural characteristics for 60-65 days after harvest. The most dangerous problem in growing this variety is insufficient moisture, as prolonged dry soil can lead to a sharp reduction in the number of ovaries forming and the plant will shed any ripe peppers it already has.

Marinka's tongue

The variety's popularity among experienced gardeners stems from the plants' ability to adapt to a variety of growing conditions, including adverse weather, sudden cold snaps, and even harsh environments. Therefore, when grown in closed greenhouses, one can expect a full harvest.

The bushes reach a height of approximately 70–75 cm. The plants have a wide-spreading habit, requiring ample space and requiring staking. The resulting fruits are cone-shaped and slightly curved, weighing approximately 170–190 g. The dense, juicy flesh is 1 cm thick, providing the peppers with their characteristic crunch and resistance to potential mechanical damage.

Technical ripening of the fruit occurs 110–115 days after seedling emergence, and biological readiness is characterized by the acquisition of a rich cherry-red hue by 125–135 days. Good shelf life allows the fruit to maintain all necessary marketability and quality criteria for 35–45 days after harvest.

Triton

Gardeners appreciate this variety as being very early maturing and adaptable to a variety of growing conditions. Its high yield is due to the ability to harvest approximately 35-40 fruits, weighing 120-140 grams each, per bush. The Triton variety is also chosen because it grows well and sets fruit even in the absence of full sunlight, irregular watering, and cold snaps.

To ensure a good harvest, experienced gardeners recommend removing the first ovary, as it inhibits the emergence and development of the remaining ovaries. At the biological ripening stage, the fruits are distinguished by a bright yellow-orange or deep red color and a smooth, glossy surface. The fruit shape is characterized as rounded or conical.

Eroshka

This variety is characterized by early ripening and high yields. The peppers reach biological maturity 120-130 days after the first seedlings emerge. Technical maturity can be considered as early as 95-110 days after planting. With proper care, a single plant can yield at least 10-14 full-fledged, sweet fruits.

The bushes grow low, about 30-50 cm, and have a compact, standard shape. Ripe orange-red, cube-shaped fruits weigh an average of 140-180 g. Due to the compact size of the plants, 10-15 can be planted per square meter, with 15-20 cm between the holes. The fruits ripen evenly, so the harvest is fairly quick.

Funtik

This variety is considered an early-ripening, high-yielding plant, as the first harvest can be collected as early as 100-110 days, with up to 12-17 full-sized, sweet, crunchy peppers forming on a single plant. Full biological maturity is reached by 120-130 days.

A key advantage of this variety is its optimal bush height of 50–70 cm, as well as its compact size, allowing for at least five plants per square meter. The fruits are prismatic, with an average weight of approximately 140–180 g. The pericarp thickness reaches 5–7 mm. The ripened crop yields uniformly. The variety is resistant to verticillium wilt and tobacco mosaic. It is recommended to grow peppers in a closed greenhouse. Timely, moderate watering and pruning of side shoots are essential.

Tenderness

This variety is versatile, adapting to a wide range of weather conditions. However, it produces optimal yields when grown in closed greenhouses. The bushes typically reach 90–100 cm in height, requiring careful staking. The growing season lasts approximately 115–125 days from the time the first seedlings emerge. Therefore, the variety is classified as mid-early.

The fruit is pyramidal in shape with a flattened apex. The fruit's biological maturity is indicated by its deep red color, not only on the glossy skin but also on the juicy interior. The fleshy walls are approximately 7-8 mm thick, and the average weight of a fruit ready to pick is 90-110 g. With proper cultivation, one can expect to harvest 7-8 kg of juicy, sweet fruit per square meter of fertile soil.

A gift from Moldova

The bushes produce a good yield of approximately 4.5–6 kg of aromatic sweet peppers per square meter of plot. The growing season lasts approximately 120–130 days, making this variety a mid-early variety. The bushes grow quite low and compact, reaching only 45 cm in height, and have a standard shape. This allows for denser planting in a permanent location, resulting in a higher yield with limited space.

The fruits themselves are distinguished by their conical shape, an average weight of 70–80 g, and dense, sweet flesh with a glossy, bright red skin. The variety is resistant to potential root damage from fusarium.

Chrysolite

The growing season lasts approximately 110–115 days from the time the seedlings emerge. Peppers are a hybrid, so they boast increased yields and are resilient to sudden changes in growing conditions, but require the purchase of new seeds annually.

Since the bushes grow quite tall and spreading, the clusters of developing and ripening fruits require careful tying to additional support or trellis staking. Ripe fruits are large, bright red, and have juicy, firm flesh. Peppers average 150–175 g in weight. The sweet flesh is approximately 5–6 mm thick, maintaining the peppers' characteristic crunch long after picking.

With proper cultivation and care, you can expect to harvest 12-13 kg per square meter of fertile soil. A significant advantage of this variety is its high ascorbic acid content. It has moderate resistance to blossom-end rot.

Agapovsky

This variety is considered an early-ripening plant, as the first ripe fruits can be expected as early as 100-120 days after germination. The bushes are compact despite the dense foliage. The fruits grow large and dense with glossy red skin. The average pepper weight is approximately 115-120 g. The dense, juicy, sweet flesh is 5-7 mm thick, enough to maintain the pepper's crispness long after harvest.

With proper care, you can expect a yield of 10-11 kg per square meter. The variety is reasonably resistant to tobacco mosaic disease and has a moderate resistance to blossom-end rot.

Ruza

This pepper is an early-ripening hybrid and is suitable for cultivation exclusively in protected, enclosed spaces. The growing season lasts on average 82–105 days. The bushes grow tall and spreading, necessitating pinching at the tops. The resulting fruits are large and have a smooth, slightly ribbed, conical shape.

At technical maturity, the peppers are green, turning a deep red by the time they reach biological maturity. The average fruit weight is approximately 70–100 g, with the sweet, juicy flesh being 4–5 mm thick. With proper cultivation, you can get approximately 16–22 kg of fruit per square meter.

The variety is resistant to TMV, verticillium wilt, and blossom-end rot. Its essential care requirements include moderate, regular watering and 2-3 mandatory fertilizing sessions.

Reviews

Vladislav Sergeevich, 42 years old

To protect peppers from fusarium wilt, which causes root and neck rot, avoid puddles and standing water in the soil. When planting seedlings, add garlic or onion peels to the hole. Before sowing, soak the seeds in a weak, light pink solution of potassium permanganate for 20-30 minutes.

Veronica Anatolyevna, 38 years old

Preventative treatment of bushes with a two-day celandine infusion twice a day prevents blossom-end rot. To do this, use 10 liters of water and at least 1–1.5 kg of freshly chopped celandine. Spray the foliage and stems with a spray bottle. The first treatment should be carried out two weeks after planting the bushes in their permanent location, and the second spraying should be done after a week's break. A soda solution of 7–8 liters of water per 250 g of dry celandine can also be used instead of celandine infusion. If the first spraying is done too early, the peppers will not have time to establish themselves, and the leaves will suffer from possible burn and damage. This also applies to the use of mineral fertilizers, which should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 10.