Description and characteristics of the Kubyshka pepper, reviews

Anyone who enjoys growing sweet peppers in their garden should take a closer look at the Kubyshka variety – it's quite easy to grow and will be a welcome guest on the table.

Characteristics of the variety

Kubishka is an early-ripening bell pepper variety suitable for both open-field and greenhouse cultivation. The bush is tall (1–1.2 m) and spreading. Ripe fruits are large, cone-shaped, and when ripe, they acquire a dark red color and shiny skin. The fruits reach a weight of 240–250 g and are excellent for eating in any form: fresh or pickled. With proper care and attention, each bush can yield up to 6 kg of juicy, vibrant fruits.

Preparing seeds before sowing

Sow seeds in late February, approximately 70 days before transplanting the seedlings to their permanent location. Soak the seeds in warm water for two days, then soak them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for several hours and rinse under running water. Fill small containers with soil and water. Add the pre-soaked seeds and cover with dry soil to a depth of 1 cm. Place the containers in a sunny, well-lit area at a temperature of 27-28°C. Cover the containers with a transparent material to speed germination, removing it occasionally for ventilation. On the third day after sprouting, remove the transparent material completely, as accumulated condensation can cause plant diseases.

Picking seedlings

At the end of April, when the first leaves begin to appear on the sprouts, the seedlings should be transplanted into containers up to 0.5 liters in capacity. At this point, the roots are taproot-shaped and will tolerate the "move" well. The sprouts are removed from their current location, along with clods of soil, and replanted in new soil. Water carefully—in the case of the Kubyshka pepper, it's better to underwater than to overwater.

Three weeks after transplanting, it's helpful to harden off the seedlings by placing the containers outside for a few hours. You can even leave them there overnight just before planting them outdoors.

Planting seedlings in open ground

The grown seedlings are planted outdoors in May only when all risk of frost is certain. If the weather is cold, cover the planted seedlings with plastic wrap. Plant 4-6 plants per square meter of garden space, but do not plant the bushes deep into the soil. Before planting, the soil should be fertilized with humus and thoroughly loosened.

Formation of bushes

To ensure a high yield, excess shoots are removed from the plant as it grows. This method leaves several strong shoots on the plant, which can produce up to 25 peppers per season. When the seedling reaches 20 cm in height, lateral shoots will form. Two of the strongest are selected and retained, and the remaining shoots are pinched. This procedure should be repeated with each new shoot that forks.

Fertilization

Sweet peppers need fertilization. The following solution makes an excellent fertilizer: dissolve 1 tablespoon of double phosphate and a small spoon of urea in 10 liters of water. Apply 0.5 liters of the fertilizer under each plant immediately after watering. Fertilizing is recommended every 3 weeks.

Pests of bell peppers and methods of control

Like any other crop, bell peppers suffer from pests. Let's look at the most common ones:

• Colorado beetle – the vegetable's most dangerous enemy. To get rid of it, spray the bushes with a celandine infusion and collect the pests by hand.
• Naked slugs They cause significant damage to the plant. To prevent them, plant parsley between the pepper rows. If slugs appear, sprinkle the pepper plants with dry mustard and remove the slugs by hand.
• Spider mite It will go away if you spray the pepper bushes with a solution of onion juice, crushed garlic and liquid soap.
• Aphid is the most common pest of peppers. It can be controlled with insecticides.

Reviews

Experienced gardeners' reviews point to the ease of growing and caring for the Kubyshka variety of seedlings. Homemakers also note that the fruits of this variety make an excellent preserve, lecho.

We also advise you to find out characteristics of Victoria pepper.