Characteristics and description of the Gemini pepper

Hybrid varieties are prized by both experienced agronomists and gardeners, and this is not surprising, as they are often immune to common diseases and are more tolerant of weather conditions than conventional varieties.

One of the popular hybrids is "Gemini", its fruits are very attractive in appearance and have excellent taste, and maybe this is the secret of its popularity?

Description of the variety

The bushes are medium-sized, reaching 60 centimeters in height. The stems are quite robust and upright. The leaves are wrinkled, dark green, and numerous, protecting the plant from direct sunlight.

The fruits are cube-shaped and green when ripe; ripe peppers are bright yellow. The fruits are quite large, weighing between 200 and 300 grams, depending on the planting location. The skin is thin, the flesh is fleshy, juicy, and sweet with a hint of bitterness. The fruits have four chambers, with walls approximately 8 mm thick. The peppers reach approximately 18 cm in length. A single plant produces 7 to 10 ovaries.

Ripe peppers separate from the stems without effort. For canning, harvest the peppers when they're technically ripe; fully ripened peppers are best for fresh consumption. The Gemini variety makes a delicious adjika or lecho, and can also be preserved in pieces in brine for the winter. They can be frozen without losing their flavor.

'Gemini' is an early-ripening variety, with only 75-85 days between germination and technical maturity. Undemanding in weather conditions, it can be grown even in regions with cool and relatively short summers. It is renowned for its excellent yield, with approximately 350 centners of fragrant peppers yielded per hectare.

Like any vegetable, "Dzhemeni" has its pros and cons.

Advantages

• Excellent presentation.
• Early ripening.
• All fruits ripen at the same time.
• Excellent taste.
• High yield.
• Resistance to weather conditions.
• Natural immunity.

Flaws

• Slow coloring of pepper.
• Dependence of crop yield on fertilizers.
• The need for a garter.

Dzhemeni has excellent marketability and retains its excellent flavor and aroma for a long time, making it ideal for commercial cultivation. The variety also boasts excellent immunity to common viral diseases, including potato virus.

Growing

Seedling

Growing it is easy for any gardener, but it is important to know that seeds must be purchased from stores each year; those collected from the previous year's harvest will not work. In regions with a predominantly warm climate, seeds can be sown as early as February; in harsher climates, planting should be delayed until March.

It's best to sow the seeds directly into individual containers to avoid transplanting later, as peppers are known to be sensitive to this process and experience delays in development. "Gemini" is a light- and heat-loving plant. During the first two weeks after planting, the room temperature should be between 24-27°C (75-80°F). During this time, the first sprouts will appear, after which they can be moved to a cooler, yet brighter location. Young seedlings should receive at least 12 hours of daylight.

After 40-50 days, it can be planted in its permanent location, but the soil must warm up to 16 degrees Celsius by then. Seedlings are transplanted into a greenhouse in mid-May and into open ground in early June. By the time of transplanting, the plant should be 16-17 cm tall, with 5-6 true leaves per bush, and the presence of flower buds is acceptable.

Planting in soil

First, select a site. It should be on level ground or slightly elevated; a site previously used for growing legumes, cabbage, or grains is suitable. Peppers prefer loose, calcareous soil. Planting holes 35-45 cm apart is recommended, and organic or mineral fertilizers are added before transplanting the seedlings. After transplanting, watering is essential. Mulching the soil around the root collar is recommended; this helps protect the root system from overheating and overcooling, and also helps retain moisture.

'Gemini' requires pinching; the plant is usually trained into a single stem. The first bud should be cut off. When grown in a greenhouse, it requires support due to the heavy fruit, as the stem may simply not be able to support it. In the open ground, support is not necessary, as the fruit is lighter.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is applied three times during the growing season: the first time seven days after picking, or one month after planting, the second time during flowering, and the third time when ovaries begin to form. Peppers require potassium and phosphorus fertilizers; they do not require nitrogen. It's also important to note that peppers do not tolerate chlorine, so when using mineral fertilizers, be careful to ensure they do not contain it.

Cleaning and storage

The harvest can be done either at the technical maturity stage, which occurs as early as July, or when the peppers are fully ripe. To do this, wait until they have reached a uniform color. The optimal storage temperature for the harvest is between 7 and 12 degrees Celsius, and the storage area should be well-ventilated.

Reviews

Evgeniy, 50 years old, Novokuznetsk

We've been growing "Dzhemeni" peppers in a heated greenhouse for sale for several years now. They're much more expensive than regular peppers. The yield is excellent, too. Of course, this variety requires careful care, but we've gotten used to it. Not only do we earn money, but we also cover it for the winter and eat it in salads.

Alena, 29 years old, Kushchevskaya village

Last year, I bought some unfamiliar "Dzhemeni" pepper seeds to try. Had I known I'd get such a harvest, I would have bought more. Now I mentally thank the saleswoman who recommended them to me. I'll start by saying that I grew them in a greenhouse, fertilized them, tied them up, and watered them regularly. The fruits grew large and delicious; the whole family ate them, stored them for the winter, and even shared them with the neighbors—everyone raved about this variety!

Conclusion

Of course, the Gemini is quite demanding in terms of care, but most farmers have come to terms with this. They continue to carefully tend it, and in return, the Gemini rewards them with its juicy and delicious fruits.