Sweet pepper "Fakir": characteristics of the variety, cultivation and care

Sweet peppers have long been a regular on our tables – it’s impossible to imagine everyday life without this beloved, tasty, and healthy vegetable.

Varieties of sweet peppers

Today, a huge number of varieties of this healthy vegetable have been developed. They come in early, mid-season, and late varieties. Bell peppers come in the familiar yellow, red, green, and orange colors. However, there are also varieties with white or purple fruit.

Description of the Fakir variety

This early-ripening bell pepper variety is ideal for cultivation in Russia's temperate climates. The period from germination to fruiting is 90-120 days. The fruit is yellow during ripening, but eventually turns red. The pepper is cone-shaped with a pointed tip and slightly elongated, weighing an average of 60-65 grams. A distinctive feature of this variety is its very dense skin, which helps it retain its marketable appearance well during transportation and light frosts. "Fakir" can be grown both outdoors and in greenhouses. The ripe pepper has an excellent flavor: it can be eaten fresh, preserved for winter, or used in various dishes. It's worth noting that "Fakir" contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements.

Harvest time

Once the fruits turn yellow (technical maturity), the harvest can be sold or stored. At this stage, the fruits transport and store very well. However, it's important to keep in mind that during technical maturity, the taste is lower than during ripeness.

Productivity

The Fakir sweet pepper is a low-growing variety, yet it boasts high yields. The bushes reach only 50 cm in height during the fruiting season, yet they are literally covered in vibrant peppers. When grown in an open garden bed, a single plant can yield up to 3 kg of fruit. In greenhouse conditions, the yield can reach 8-10 kg.

Choosing a Sweet Pepper Variety When Planting

When choosing seeds, it is necessary to take into account several important factors that affect growth and yield, namely:

• Climate zone and weather conditions for growing.
• Tall or low-growing varieties.
• Desired color and shape of fruits.
• Variety type (early ripening – late ripening).
• Planting type (open bed or greenhouse).

Tall varieties are best planted in large garden beds. If space is limited, dwarf varieties are a better choice. When purchasing seeds, the variety name and growing conditions should be indicated on the packaging. 'Fakir' will thrive in smaller beds and won't require staking during fruiting, as it's a dwarf variety.

Preparing seeds for sowing

To speed up the emergence of the first shoots, soak the seeds in room-temperature water for a couple of days. During this time, it's also helpful to soak them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. Before planting, rinse the seeds with water and dry them.

Next, fill the prepared containers with soil, compact it, and water it well. Place the seeds on the moist soil and cover with dry soil.

It's important to water the first layer of soil and leave the top layer dry. This will allow moisture to evaporate very slowly, and the dry top layer will allow good air flow to the seeds.

After sowing the seeds, cover the containers with a transparent material (glass or plastic bottle bottoms) and place them in a sunny location. During germination, open the lids occasionally to allow air to circulate and allow condensation to dry. Once the seedlings emerge, keep the lids on for another 3-4 days, increasing the frequency of ventilation, and then remove them.
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Picking seedlings

When the first leaves appear on the seedlings, they are transplanted into containers holding approximately 0.5 liters. At this point, the roots resemble an elongated rod, lacking fine rootlets, and will tolerate transplanting well. Pricking out later can damage the root system, and the seedlings will take longer to establish.

When replanting, fill the containers with soil and carefully place the seedlings into the soil. Keep the containers in a sunny location, as peppers prefer warmth and light. Water moderately; avoid overwatering.

Planting sweet peppers in permanent soil

Planting of seedlings in the beds is carried out after the frost period has passed – approximately at the end of February. Before planting, the soil should be fertilized with humus at a rate of 15 kg/m3.², loosen the soil, and prepare holes about 50 cm apart. To ensure a good harvest, choose a location that hasn't had nightshade vegetables for three years, and one that receives plenty of sun.

It's best not to water the containers containing the seedlings for several days—this will minimize root damage during transplanting. Water the prepared holes in the bed and transfer the seedlings, soil-in-place, into them. Cover with dry soil. No final watering is required.

If the sun is too intense when planting seedlings, the sprouts should be shaded for several days to avoid them getting burned.

Caring for a plant in a garden bed

The developing plant should be watered frequently, but sparingly. Overwatering and underwatering will cause flower buds to drop. If too many flowers are forming, some can be pinched off. To prevent dark spots from appearing on the fruit, add potassium nitrate to the soil and follow a regular fertilizing schedule with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Reviews

According to reviews from experienced vegetable growers, this variety has proven itself to be easy to grow and requires little maintenance. With proper watering and regular fertilizing, it produces a rich harvest and has an excellent flavor.

Also find out characteristics of Victoria pepper.