Pepper "Lastochka": characteristics of the variety, reviews

Pepper

Many gardeners choose the "Lastochka" pepper for their plots due to its key characteristics. One square meter can yield 5 to 6 kg of delicious fruit. Gardeners' reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the plant, and photos of spreading bushes with bright green foliage and large fruits confirm this. This pepper is known for its high yield and can be grown throughout the Russian Federation.

The "Lastochka" pepper is highly resistant to the negative effects of various pathogens. This characteristic has made this variety increasingly popular, as gardeners report that it can grow in any conditions and produce juicy and delicious fruits. Looking at photos of these peppers makes you want to try them and enjoy the harvest in person. Furthermore, anyone can grow these plants, even without any special skills.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Moldovan breeders have developed a pepper variety called "Lastochka." Since 1974, it has been grown in garden plots by ordinary hobby gardeners. Outdoor crops are harvested in the south of the Russian Federation and in central Russia. The "Lastochka" variety can also be grown in greenhouses, except in the Far North.

The plant is characterized by:

mid-season, meaning the fruits ripen 115-120 days after the first sprouts appear, and seed collection is possible on the 135-150th day;
the possibility of growing in open ground, although the yield is higher in greenhouse conditions and southern regions;
from each square meter of the plot you can collect 5-6 kg of wonderful vegetables;
medium height, meaning the bushes can grow up to half a meter in height; in greenhouses, the height often reaches 60 cm.
standard, semi-spreading form;
compact size;
resistance to the negative impact of various diseases;
the ability to adapt to any weather conditions;
unpretentiousness and versatility;
The fruits ripen in a unified manner, that is, at the same time.

Please note: To prevent the plants from breaking under the weight of the fruit, the bushes should be tied up.

The fruit is cone-shaped, slightly oval. Each peppercorn is 8 to 11 cm long and weighs 65 to 100 g. The fruit ranges in color from light green to red, and its flavor is sweet and fleshy, with a wall thickness of 5 to 7 mm.

The harvest can be eaten fresh or canned. The fruits can be transported over various distances without losing their presentable appearance. Furthermore, they can be stored for a long time.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The 'Lastochka' pepper variety has a number of advantages, making it a popular choice for many gardeners:

fruits can remain for a long time after being picked from the bush;
plants are resistant to various diseases;
the culture is quite unpretentious in care;
high yield, the amount of which cannot be influenced by weather conditions;
easily adapts to changing weather conditions.

But the variety is also characterized by some negative aspects:

If the planting is too dense, the yield will decrease sharply;
If the bush is low growing, the fruits are often on the surface of the ground and rot.

Tip: To prevent peppercorns from rotting, place mulch on the ground around them.

Planting plants

Sowing seeds for seedlings begins in February. After selecting the seeds for sowing, they need to be disinfected by placing them in a solution of potassium permanganate diluted in water. Alternatively, the seeds can be soaked in herbal remedies. Aloe juice is often used for this purpose. You can also use Epins-Extra or Kemire. After disinfection, the seeds are spread on gauze soaked in water and then placed in a warm place.

While the seeds are germinating, prepare the boxes or peat pots, which will then be filled with soil. You can buy it at the store or make your own by mixing soil with humus. Before planting, be sure to steam the soil or warm it in the oven.

When sowing seeds in a single container, place them sequentially, spacing them 1.5-2 mm apart. Cover the seeds with 8-10 mm of soil. Water the soil thoroughly in the box or pot, then cover with plastic or glass. Store the prepared containers in a warm, bright place, maintaining a temperature of 23 to 25 degrees Celsius. Once the first shoots appear, remove the glass or film.

Important! Check the soil for moisture. If the soil is too saturated or too dry, the plant may die. Water with a spray bottle. This will help prevent seed rot.

When 2-3 leaves appear, the seedlings should be pricked out, meaning each plant should grow in its own container. Fertilize for the first time after 4-5 leaves appear on the stem.

Before planting, harden the seedlings two weeks before planting. To do this, place the container on a balcony or veranda.

Tip: At first, the hardening time can be short, 2-3 hours. Then, the peppers can be left to harden throughout the day, bringing them in only at night.

Planting in a permanent location

The mature plants are transplanted to their permanent location in late spring or early summer. Choose a plot previously used for cabbage, pumpkin, cucumbers, beets, carrots, onions, or beans. A plot previously used for beans should not be used for planting.

Avoid planting in areas previously occupied by nightshade crops. They share similar diseases and are also susceptible to the same insect pests. Planting peppers in areas previously occupied by eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes is especially not recommended. The soil should be tilled in the fall, after fertilizing it. The soil should be tilled a second time in the spring.

Seedlings are planted in specially dug holes, spaced 40 cm apart. A 60-centimeter gap is required between rows. Before planting, each hole is half-filled with nutrient-rich soil. The plant is then placed in the hole, carefully spreading out the root system and covering it with nutrient-rich soil. Afterwards, the seedlings are thoroughly watered and tied to stakes driven into the ground before planting.

Important! Ensure that the root zone remains above ground level after planting.

Tips for Increasing Yields

To obtain maximum yield, the following conditions must be met:

The stakes should be driven in before the plants are planted. This prevents the risk of damaging the root system.
If the summer is rainy, it is necessary to cover the bushes with polyethylene, which will prevent the plant from rotting.
To increase the harvest, it is necessary to get rid of the first flowers.
The first time peppers are harvested is when they are ripe, and then when they are actually ripe.
To ensure that the fruit is not bitter, do not plant the 'Swallow' pepper with bitter varieties.

Important! When you pick ripe fruits from a plant, the remaining ones will grow faster and taste better.

Reviews from gardeners

The "Lastochka" pepper has many positive characteristics, according to those who have planted it. Specifically, the variety is disease-resistant, easy to grow, and produces a high yield.

Alexey, 29 years old, Kursk region:

"I've been growing the 'Lastochka' pepper variety for five years now. I love that it produces a large harvest with minimal effort. The peppers are tasty, thick-walled, and can be stored for a long time."

Sofia, 58 years old, Crimea:

"'Lastochka' is my favorite variety. Growing peppers is effortless. The plants take root well and grow quickly. You just need to weed and water them regularly. I love pepper salads and preserves. Plus, my whole family can enjoy their unique flavor almost all winter long, storing the peppers whole in the refrigerator."

Vasily, 61 years old, Volgograd:

"I worked there for a long time. After retiring, I decided to start growing vegetables at my summer cottage. Friends recommended some easy-to-grow plants that don't require any special care. One of them was the 'Lastochka' pepper variety. I planted the seeds, not expecting them to sprout. After a few days, sprouts appeared. When I transplanted them into the soil in their permanent location, I was afraid I'd do something wrong. But the plants took root perfectly. Soon, fruits appeared, which quickly began to fill out and grow. They also had a unique taste. The harvest was very large. Next year, I'll plant 'Lastochka' again in my garden."