Sweet pepper seeds - the best varieties for the Moscow region for open ground and greenhouses

Pepper

Sweet pepper – a species of popular annual plant belonging to the genus Capsicum and the Solanaceae family. This vegetable crop is highly prized for its flavor and nutritional properties, which is why representatives of this species are often found in gardens and greenhouses.

There are many varieties of peppers, divided into two groups based on flavor: bitter and sweet. Sweet peppers are more popular among vegetable growers due to their mild, slightly sweet flavor. However, before growing, it's recommended to determine which varieties are suitable for specific climate conditions. If you're growing sweet peppers in the Moscow region, you should determine the best varieties for that region before purchasing seeds.

Climate and pepper cultivation in the Moscow region

In the temperate continental climate of the Moscow region, peppers can be grown both outdoors and in greenhouses. The Moscow region is one of the most suitable regions in the country for growing peppers, as summers are long and humid, and temperatures never rise above 40°C.

When sowing seeds directly into open ground, you may never see seedlings because the ground is too frozen. If you delay sowing, the peppers may not produce a harvest due to the short summer. In heated greenhouses, the vegetable can be grown year-round due to the constant air temperature.

Before sowing seeds for seedlings, it's important to determine the planting time based on the region's climate. This should be done 50-65 days before planting the vegetables in their permanent location. If the seedlings will be transplanted into the ground, it's best to sow the seeds 50 days beforehand.

Shoots — If the seedlings are to be transplanted, it is recommended to sow the planting material 60-65 days before the optimal planting time.

The timing also depends on whether the vegetable will be grown outdoors or indoors. For example, if you're growing peppers in a greenhouse, you can start sowing seeds in late February or early March, then transplant the young plants into the ground in April or May. However, if the vegetable will be grown outdoors, it's recommended to sow the seeds for seedlings in late March. This is because by late May, the soil and air have warmed up sufficiently for the growth of this temperature-sensitive plant.

Selecting varieties of sweet pepper seeds for open ground in the region

For open ground, it's best to choose proven plant varieties that can withstand changing environmental conditions. These varieties will produce fruit vigorously even when grown in vegetable gardens. The climate in the Moscow region can be quite harsh, so for planting outdoors, it's best to choose early-ripening or mid-season varieties.

Gogoshary

A fairly common variety among gardeners, this plant produces spherical fruits with distinct lobes. The vegetables are small, weighing barely 100-120 grams. Ripe peppers are red, but during the growing season, they turn dark green. Unripe peppers of this variety also have a slight bitterness, making them popular for canning.

Atlantic

The most resistant to low temperatures pepper variety, which is why it got its name. Atlantic This variety is ideal for growing in the Moscow region with its variable climate. It is highly productive, yielding approximately 13 kg of vegetables per square meter. The elongated, dark-red fruits can reach up to 20 cm in length and remain fresh for a considerable time after harvest.

Montero F1

This is a hybrid vegetable variety that requires staking. It's a low-growing bush with red, prismatic fruits. Each pepper can weigh up to 300 g, with a wall thickness of 8 mm. This variety is noted for its early and high yield. Four plants can yield approximately 10 kg.

Poplar

A mid-season pepper variety with elongated cone-shaped fruits. The fruit is bright red. Although the plant is not very tall, it requires support, as the thin stems can break under the weight of the fruit. Poplar produces a good yield—about 5 kg per square meter. The fruits are excellent for salads, pickling, and canning.

A gift from Moldova

A disease-resistant variety with red, cone-shaped fruits. The pepper's surface is smooth. It's a mid-early variety, producing fruit as early as 120 days after germination. Even with poor care, it produces a good harvest. The low bush, up to 50 cm tall, requires staking.

Golden calf

A mid-early variety, its yellow fruits are distinguished not only by their vibrant color but also by their juiciness. This fleshy, glossy vegetable is widely popular in cooking, often used in vitamin-rich salads and appetizers. The round, cone-shaped fruits are quite large, weighing up to 250 g.

The Best Pepper Seed Varieties for Greenhouse Growing in the Moscow Region

For greenhouse cultivation, it's recommended to select varieties that are tolerant of high humidity and less demanding in terms of light. Plants that are less tolerant of environmental fluctuations can be grown indoors, as greenhouses can maintain an optimal temperature for extended periods.

When choosing varieties for planting indoors, it's best to choose low-growing shrubs, as greenhouse space is limited.

California Miracle

This variety is especially prized by inexperienced vegetable growers due to its rapid adaptation to a new growing location after transplanting into the ground. The slightly elongated and rounded fruits are red and thick-walled. Each fruit can weigh up to 130 g. Planting four bushes per square meter yields over 2 kg of vegetables.

The Orange King

A small plant related to early ripening varieties Peppers. The thick-walled, orange fruits look great in salads and preserves. They are cuboidal in shape, with a rounded base. Each pepper weighs between 120 and 150 grams. Due to the plant's compact size, up to five plants can be grown in a single square meter.

Bagration

This early-ripening variety is ideal for growing indoors, as it thrives in high humidity and doesn't require much light to ripen its fruit. Its appearance is slightly reminiscent of a tomato or a cubic prism with a rounded base. A single yellow fruit weighs over 150 g. Unlike most of its relatives, Bagration is resistant to various diseases and pests.

Alyonushka

A mid-season hybrid variety with large fruits weighing 130 to 140 g. The fruit is prismatic with a blunt tip. Unripe fruits are light green, while biologically mature ones are red. The plant produces a good harvest: three plants can yield over 7 kg of juicy, lightly flavored peppers. Suitable for eating raw.

Night

A mid-late hybrid vegetable crop characterized by long fruiting and purple-colored peppers. The cuboid shape of this vegetable has a distinct flavor. The pepper's walls can reach 7 mm in thickness. The fruit is medium in size, typically weighing between 100 and 110 g. The bush can grow up to 100 cm in height, so planting more than 3 peppers per square meter is not recommended.

Features of seedling and crop care

Peppers can be a very demanding plant that requires careful care, especially when growing seedlings. During cultivation, closely monitor temperature, humidity, and the frequency and quality of fertilizing.

Seeds that haven't sprouted yet are recommended to be kept at a temperature of 27 to 28°C. Once the first sprouts appear, the room temperature can fluctuate between 15 and 25°C. The key is to keep the daytime temperature higher than the nighttime temperature.

Important!

You can plant seedlings in the ground only after the soil has warmed up to 18°C.

In late February or early March, daylight hours are still quite short, so it's recommended to provide seedlings with artificial light. Fluorescent lamps can also be used for this purpose. The recommended time for using artificial light is from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Moisten the soil where the seedlings are growing only after the top layer has dried out. Overwatering a young plant can cause it to stretch and lead to fungal diseases. It is recommended to use soft water at room temperature for watering.

Thus, during hot summer days, it is recommended to water the plant daily. During the flowering period, it should be watered exclusively at the roots. It is also important to loosen the soil in the bed immediately after watering to increase oxygen access to the plant's root system. Loosen the soil very carefully, as the plant's roots are very close to the soil surface.

Once the seedlings have developed a few fully formed leaves, it's recommended to fertilize the plants. Use a complex fertilizer specially formulated for vegetable seedlings. Fertilize again after 10-14 days.

As an organic fertilizer, you can use mullein infusion diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10.

Young plants need to be prepared for planting in the ground by hardening them off. To do this, the seedlings are brought out onto a loggia or balcony to acclimate them to the ambient temperature. Hardening off is done gradually, by increasing the amount of time the seedlings are exposed to fresh air each day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't you grow sweet and hot peppers at the same time in a greenhouse?

This ban exists because these crop species can cross-pollinate each other's flowers, resulting in only hot peppers growing.

Which greenhouse is best for growing peppers?

For growing vegetables, you can choose glass, film, and polycarbonate greenhouses, as they grow well under any type of cover.

How to fertilize peppers to ensure a good yield?

The plant can be fertilized with both complex vegetable fertilizers and organic fertilizers. For better yields, it is recommended to alternate these types of fertilizers.

How to choose the right seeds?

When choosing seeds, pay attention to the labeling, which indicates not only the expiration date but also the preferred growing location (outdoors or indoors). The packaging should also include a description of the variety, including its ripening time. It's best to choose seeds that have already been processed and don't require additional soaking.

The Moscow region's climate allows for the successful cultivation of sweet peppers in gardens and greenhouses. However, to ensure a guaranteed harvest, it's best to choose early-ripening or mid-season pepper varieties.

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