Characteristics and description of the Bonnet pepper

Those who appreciate a bountiful and early harvest are certainly familiar with the "Boneta" variety. As early as June, sweet and juicy peppers will grace the table and provide a vitamin boost. Growing this variety has many advantages and almost no drawbacks, which is probably why it's so prized by gardeners.

Description of the variety

'Boneta' is an early-ripening variety; ripe fruits can be sampled within 80-88 days of germination. The plant has a strong stem covered with numerous dark green leaves. The bush can reach a height of 60 cm.

The peppers are rectangular and oblong, containing 3-4 seed chambers. Their walls can be 5 to 8 mm thick, and the flesh is fleshy, crisp, and juicy. At the technical maturity stage, the peppers are pale green, but when fully ripe, the color changes to red or orange. The skin is matte and smooth. The weight of a single pepper can vary from 100 to 150 g, but individual peppers can reach up to 200 grams. With proper care, the peppers produce 1 m2 of fruit.² You can harvest up to 5 kg of fruit. It has excellent taste; even unripe fruits are not bitter, and have a distinct aroma.

It is listed in the Russian state register as a variety suitable for cultivation in open ground and greenhouses. It is planted throughout the former USSR, taking into account climatic conditions. In the southern regions, it is grown in open ground, while in the northern regions, it is grown in greenhouses.

It's eaten fresh and also added to various dishes. It's suitable for freezing and canning. Rich in numerous vitamins and fiber, the fruit is suitable even for dieters, with only 25 calories per 100 g.

Advantages

• Beautiful appearance of fruits.
• Early ripening.
• It does not require much care.
• Excellent taste.
• Versatility of application.
• Tolerates changing weather conditions well.
• Subject to transportation.

Flaws

• Compared to other varieties, Boneta does not have a high yield.

Growing and care

Planting seedlings

You can buy seeds at a specialty store or harvest them. To do this, leave some peppers on the plant. When they begin to wrinkle, pick and extract the seeds, then dry them and place them in a paper bag.

It's recommended to sow seeds as early as February, as they have an excellent germination rate. You can purchase the soil or prepare it yourself in the fall. Mix peat, black soil, and turf in equal proportions and stir thoroughly. Add three tablespoons of wood ash to each bucket of the mixture before planting.

Before planting, it's best to soak the seeds in warm water for about 5 hours; after that, they're ready to plant. You can sow the seeds in a single container or in separate ones. 200 ml plastic cups are suitable. The latter option saves time, as you won't have to transplant the plants later. After planting, watering is essential. Water with warm, settled water. Then cover the containers with plastic wrap and wait for the seedlings to emerge. Once the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic wrap; otherwise, they will stretch and become unusable.

Young plants are best placed in a sunny location. When four leaves appear on each plant, fertilize them with a nitrogen-containing fertilizer to encourage growth. It is recommended to loosen the soil occasionally, which is best done with a plastic fork. The room temperature should be at least 20 degrees Celsius. Seven days before transplanting, the seedlings should begin hardening off to strengthen them. Hardening off is carried out as follows: Take the plant outside for a few minutes daily, or ventilate the room; naturally, the outside temperature should be at least 16 degrees Celsius.^0.

Planting in the ground

Proper care and planting location are important for a good harvest. As we know, every plant requires specific nutrients and draws them from the soil during growth. Therefore, planting the same crop in the same area every year is not recommended. Another important factor to consider is that plants sometimes get sick, infecting the soil, which can reoccur the following season. The best predecessors for peppers are cucumbers, carrots, beets, and cabbage. It is not recommended to plant them after potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant.

The selected site should be fertilized and plowed. It should preferably be in a sunny location, as 'Boneta' thrives on light and warmth. Young plants are transplanted into open ground in early June and can be moved to the greenhouse in early May. Dig holes in a staggered pattern, 1 m apart.² There should not be more than six plants.

Before planting, mineral fertilizers are added to the holes and the plants are watered with settled water at a temperature of 20⁰The roots should not be buried deep when planting. For the first seven days, water the plant daily, but sparingly. When the first buds form, it's best to feed the pepper with potassium fertilizer; this will help the plant grow and ripen faster, and increase the yield in the future. If there are many buds on the plant, it's best to tie it up to prevent the stems from breaking.

Resistance to diseases and weather conditions

'Boneta' tolerates temperature fluctuations and drought well, but this still impacts yield. This variety is considered naturally immune to common diseases. However, for prevention, it's best to treat the plant with fungicides several times, allowing approximately 10 days between treatments.

Reviews

Miroslava, 36, Saransk

We finally bought a plot of land; I've been dreaming of my own garden for a long time. I planted several varieties of peppers, and I was especially pleased with the "Boneta" variety. The harvest was already in late June—natural, pest-free! The flavor is excellent, with a wonderful peppery aroma. I've added them to salads, stuffed them, and frozen them for the winter. Next year, I'll plant more and preserve them for the winter as lecho.

Maria 69 years old Izhevsk

I suffer from hypertension, and a friend recommended sweet peppers, saying they lower my blood pressure. I didn't believe it at first, but I tried them this summer, especially since my daughter-in-law planted the "Boneta" variety for the first time. I don't know if I can believe my eyes, but my blood pressure dropped by 10 points without any pills. Whether the peppers are miraculous or just a coincidence, I don't know. And the harvest was plentiful. I really liked the taste—sweet, not bitter at all—I asked her to plant more next season!

Conclusion

By following all care recommendations, both experienced and novice growers can reap an excellent harvest. Moreover, 'Boneta' isn't as fussy as many pepper varieties.