Description of the Orange pepper variety: reviews, yield (photo)

The "Orange" sweet pepper, named for its brightly colored peel, which truly resembles a tropical fruit, and its high sugar content, can be used not only in salads but also as a base for jams and other desserts. These qualities make it a popular choice among gardeners looking to add a new crop to their gardens.

This variety differs from regular bell peppers in that it was developed specifically for the central and northwestern regions. Therefore, the "Orange" pepper is grown not only in greenhouses but also in open ground, to withstand sudden environmental changes. According to reviews, the fruits can fully ripen even with short daylight hours. These characteristics are not surprising, as it was developed by breeders from the "Russian Garden" company.

Agrotechnical characteristics of the variety

Pepper plants grow compact and miniature, never exceeding 45 cm in height, allowing up to five plants per square meter to be grown without sacrificing yield. This variety is mid-season, meaning the fruits fully ripen 90-100 days after sowing. It is grown primarily from seedlings, as planting seeds outdoors can impact yield and germination.

Characteristics of ripe fruits:

• length up to 10 cm;
• wall thickness 4–5 mm;
• weight of ripe fruits 40–50 g;
• the color of the peel varies from bright yellow to orange-red;
• sugar content reaches 6%.

Because a single plant can produce 30-35 pods, approximately 7.5-8 kg of peppers can be harvested per square meter. In greenhouses, this figure increases if the plant has sufficient nutrients in the soil. Although this variety is sweet, with a high sugar content, it has a low energy value, containing only 26 kcal per 100 g. This makes the fruit an ideal treat for those on a diet.

Pepper growing conditions and seed quality

In the central and southern regions, peppers grow well in open ground and don't require additional insulation, but in northern regions, plastic greenhouses may be necessary. Also, with the onset of autumn, it's necessary to insulate the soil with a special film to prevent the plant's roots from freezing due to sudden night frosts.

Even in greenhouse conditions, planting in soil reduces germination by 1-2 times, resulting in weak and diseased plants. In open ground, peppers germinate very poorly; due to the lack of necessary warmth and nutrients during the initial stages, the plants grow too short. Their vegetative organs are weak, which delays fruit formation. Due to late development and poor nutrient transfer from the roots to the shoots, the pods ripen more slowly, and there is a risk that they will have to be harvested unripe.

Checking planting material

To obtain the required number of seedlings, and eventually, bushes, it's necessary to first check the quality of the planting material. To do this, shake the container containing the seeds, and select 3-5 for testing. This method allows for the seeds to be rotated, which will provide a more accurate result, preventing the selection of seeds extracted from only one fruit.

Control seeds are placed on a piece of thick, soft cloth that has been generously moistened with water. The other end of the cloth is then covered over the seedlings, after which the bundle is placed in a loosely sealed container. After this, place the seedlings in a dark, warm place, perhaps under a radiator. The key is to keep the temperature consistently high, but not exceeding 23-25 ​​degrees Celsius.

If all the instructions for testing were followed, most of the seeds in the container should sprout within 4-5 days. If this doesn't happen, the seeds need to be replaced. It's also important to remember that if the container was tightly sealed, the seeds could begin to rot. Therefore, a flow of fresh air is necessary to remove excess moisture, but it shouldn't be too strong, otherwise there won't be enough water for seed development.

It's a good idea to check the cloth daily to ensure it's damp and not too dry. Avoid lifting it to avoid disturbing the seed's environment. If the cloth appears too dry, don't pour water onto it; it should be sprayed. A houseplant spray bottle is ideal for this; if you don't have one, wet your fingers and shake off droplets of water. These moisture-adding methods will prevent the seeds from drying out or from being overwatered, which can compromise the clarity of the results.

Selecting seeds for planting

Before planting seeds in containers with soil, it's important to discard any that won't germinate. These seeds are sometimes called "hollow" due to the lack of nutrients needed for the normal development of the embryo and plant sprout. Even if they do germinate, the resulting plants will be very weak due to disruptions in early development. Therefore, it's important to select high-quality seeds.

To check you will need:

• 1 liter of boiled water;
• 30 g salt (about 1 heaped tablespoon);
• jar or deep bowl.

Pour water and salt into a container, then stir thoroughly until it dissolves completely. The liquid can be room temperature or slightly warmer, but it's important not to let it get too cold or too hot. Once all the grains have dissolved, add the seeds and stir them 3-6 times with a spoon until all the grains are wet.

Within 1-2 minutes, the seeds will separate into fractions, one of which will settle to the bottom and the other will float to the surface. The latter should be carefully collected and discarded, as it contains seeds unsuitable for planting. The seeds that have sunk are rinsed with cool water and used for seedlings.

Growing seedlings

First, you need to determine the right time to plant the seeds. To do this, you need to know where they will grow. If outdoors, it's recommended to plant them between February 20 and March 10. This time is ideal for temperate climates, where the ambient temperature is above 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) by the time the plants are planted. It's best to start seedlings in February, allowing time to plant a second batch if some seeds fail to germinate. For greenhouses, seeds are planted earlier because the desired temperature is reached more quickly.

When starting seedlings indoors, it's best to purchase soil from a specialty store, as homemade soil will have a rather unpleasant odor. However, if you're planning a separate room, you can make your own seedling soil.

Optimal soil for seedlings:

• 2 parts peat;
• 2 parts humus obtained from leaves;
• 1 part ordinary soil.

Soil is placed in peat or thin plastic cups. A 5 mm hole is made in the center, into which one sprouted seed is placed. The hole is covered with soil. It's important not to compact the soil, otherwise the seeds won't be able to break through. Cover the containers with plastic wrap or clear plastic and place them in a warm place.

Transferring seedlings to the ground and caring for plants

According to reviews from regular growers of the "Orange" pepper, the optimal time to plant seedlings is when they are approximately 50 days old. However, it's important to remember that all pepper varieties stop growing at temperatures of 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit), so nighttime temperatures should not drop below 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit). Otherwise, the seedlings may go dormant or even die. However, these temperatures are designed for hardened shoots, so the trays with the plants should be outdoors for two weeks before transplanting. You can start with 1:00 a.m. in the afternoon, gradually increasing the time.

Once the plant has established itself, it is tied up and the main stem is pinched. As it grows, it's important to monitor the number of side branches, which are where the fruit will form. According to gardeners, the plant can easily support no more than five branches; otherwise, the pepper production will decline and the fruit itself will become smaller.

The "Orange" sweet pepper is a good choice for those who enjoy sweets but don't want extra calories. And because it was bred specifically for central regions, the plant requires little care, just a light fertilizing with manure diluted in water. This makes it an ideal variety for beginning gardeners.