Peppers - the best varieties for Siberia for open ground and greenhouses

Sweet peppers are an annual, heat-loving vegetable crop. They are rich in micronutrients, carotene, and vitamin C. Eating sweet peppers helps normalize blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and improve gastrointestinal function. Furthermore, they have excellent flavor, are easy to grow, and are resistant to various diseases.

With the right choice of variety, adherence to agricultural conditions, and appropriate maintenance, the vegetable can be successfully cultivated even in the difficult Siberian climate. The best varieties of sweet peppers For growing in Siberian conditions, these are mid- and early-ripening varieties; they can be grown in greenhouses and even in open ground.

Climatic conditions and features of pepper cultivation in Siberia

Siberia is one of the coldest places on Earth, characterized by a continental climate with large daily temperature fluctuations. The region is remote from seas and oceans and surrounded by mountain ranges that impede the passage of warm air currents. Only the western and southern parts of Siberia experience above-zero average annual temperatures; elsewhere, temperatures are almost always below freezing.

Given these climatic conditions, many plant breeders have devoted their efforts to developing new crop varieties, including salad peppers adapted to growing in harsh climates.

Since the summer in the region is very short, the following will be suitable for growing: early ripening varieties, which reach maturity in a short period of time. Mid-season varieties also ripen during the short summer period, with ripening periods ranging from 95 to 120 days. Their yields are quite high. When choosing sweet pepper seeds, preference should be given to those varieties specifically bred for cultivation in this climate.

Choosing the best pepper variety for growing in Siberia

The most sought-after high-yielding varieties of early and mid-season peppers, bred by breeders for cultivation in Siberia, are:

• Siberian prince;
• Poplar;
• Siberian format;
• Kolobok;
• Eastern bazaar;
• Siberian bonus;
• Tusk.

Moreover, all the varieties listed are intended for cultivation in open ground and in greenhouses or hotbeds.

Hardy varieties for open ground

When purchasing sweet vegetable seeds for outdoor cultivation, consider the short Siberian summer and the lack of adequate temperatures for proper fruit ripening. Therefore, it's best to choose hardy, ripening or hybrid vegetable varieties.

The most resistant to cultivation in the open ground of the Siberian region we can consider:

1. Kolobok. An early variety of salad pepper, bred by the Moldovan Research Institute. The plant grows low and compactly. Each plant produces up to four fruits, each with a good flavor and firm texture. Each fruit weighs up to 90 g. Thanks to its flavor, this variety is ideal for salads, fresh eating, and canning. It can be grown in open beds and greenhouses.

   

2. Poplar. An excellent early-ripening variety characterized by high yields (40-50 tons/ha), large fruits (up to 150 g), and resistance to various diseases (bacterial, rot, mold) and temperature fluctuations. The bushes are tall and require support or trellis training to shape the stems. Conical fruits appear 110-120 days after sowing. Fully ripened fruits are dark red.

   

3. Siberian Prince. An early-ripening variety, it produces a high yield 105-110 days after germination. It thrives in open beds. The bushes are tall and vigorous, sometimes exceeding 1 m. They require support. The cone-shaped, juicy fruits have dense, fleshy flesh, weighing up to 150 g. It is versatile in its uses: canning, freezing, stuffing, eating fresh, and in salads.

   

4. Eastern Bazaar. Developed by domestic breeders, this mid-early vegetable variety has proven itself well suited for open-ground planting. The bush is low and compact (up to 50 cm). The fruits are bright red and pleasantly fragrant, prismatic with increased ribbing. They are quite large, weighing up to 150 g. Suitable for home canning, preparing various dishes, and freezing.

   

Early varieties for greenhouses

Among the most productive early varieties varieties for Siberia It is worth mentioning:

1. Pervenets Sibiri is a remarkable, high-yielding variety (up to 12 kg/m²). It is grown in a greenhouse, as it is very sensitive to temperature conditions. The bush is short, reaching no more than 45 cm. The fruits are bright yellow and red, fleshy, juicy, and pyramidal, reaching 70 g in weight and 9 cm in length each. Ripening occurs 100-110 days after planting. It has a pleasant taste, rich aroma, and sweetness.

   

2. Novosibirsk. This early-ripening variety, bred specifically for Siberian conditions by breeders at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden, is particularly popular for growing indoors. The seeds are sown in February, and after a few months, when the seedlings have matured, they are planted in greenhouses.

   

   The fruits ripen after 100 days. The bushes grow tall (100 cm), and the bright red fruits weigh up to 60 g. The peppers have a distinctive flavor and fresh aroma, making them ideal for salads and preserves compared to other pepper varieties. With proper care and timely fertilization, yields can reach 10 kg/m².

3. Sibiryak. This variety is promising for cultivation in various types of greenhouses, both heated and unheated, including winter greenhouses. It takes 115 days from planting to fruit ripening. The pepper grows low (60 cm) and bears cube-shaped red fruits that are very fleshy and large (up to 150 g), making them easy to transport. With proper care, the plant produces an excellent harvest, and even under unfavorable conditions, it is possible to harvest up to 7 kg per square meter of planting material. Sibiryak is one of the vegetable varieties included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements.

   

The most productive varieties of pepper for greenhouses

Given the short summers and long periods of frost in the spring, the most effective way to grow the most productive pepper varieties is to plant seedlings in greenhouses or hotbeds.

In greenhouse conditions, it is recommended to grow early-ripening and artificially bred hybrid pepper varieties. It is important to select seed material suitable for growing in Siberian greenhouses.

The most promising and high-yielding varieties for greenhouse cultivation include:

• Cardinal F1 is a tall hybrid with large (up to 280 g) fleshy fruits from dark green to dark purple;

  

• Latino F1 is a high-yielding hybrid (up to 14 kg/m2) with bright red fruits weighing up to 200 g. The flesh is juicy, meaty, and intensely aromatic. Ripening period: 110 days;

  

• Fidelio F1 is an extremely early-ripening hybrid with fruit ripening in up to 90 days. The fruits are bright yellow, weighing up to 170 g, and have juicy flesh. The bushes reach a height of 90 cm. Yields exceed 14 kg/m².

  

All varieties are suitable for fresh and heat-treated consumption, for canning and freezing.

Agricultural practices in cold climates

Even plants adapted to growing in cold climates require care in accordance with agricultural practices.

In greenhouses

In most of the Siberian expanses, sweet pepper cultivation is effective in film or polycarbonate greenhouses. However, greenhouse cultivation has its own specific features that you should be aware of before attempting to grow peppers in a greenhouse.

Planting times depend on weather conditions. Seedlings can be planted only after temperatures stabilize at 10-12°C. In southern Siberia, this temperature typically occurs in April-May. If you have warm beds, the planting time can be advanced by 3-4 weeks.

Planting patterns may vary:

1. Ribbon.
2. Square-nested.
3. Chess method.

These planting methods help save space in the greenhouse and also provide comfort for the plants.

If these parameters are violated, it is necessary to take the following measures:

1. In case of sudden frosts and temperatures dropping below 10°C, the beds are covered with spunbond.
2. In extreme heat and temperatures above 35°C, in addition to ventilation, the crops are additionally covered with a shading net.
3. If the humidity is high, the greenhouse is also ventilated, and if it is low, it is watered or containers with water are placed in the greenhouse.

For watering, use settled tap water. It's important to avoid getting water on the leaves.

After watering, the soil is carefully loosened to avoid damaging the plant's delicate surface roots. The soil is then mulched with hay, sawdust, or peat to prevent moisture evaporation. When growing peppers properly, don't forget to fertilize them with organic and mineral potassium fertilizers.

In open ground

Seedlings are planted in unprotected beds around May 20th. Since frost is still possible, the beds should be covered with a special material and then covered with plastic film. On very warm days, the beds are uncovered for ventilation. After the frost has passed, the covering material can be removed.

After some time of watering, the beds are carefully loosened to avoid damaging the vegetable's root system. If necessary, the plants are fed with an ash solution. During persistently hot weather, it is necessary to provide ample watering up to five times a week.

Ripe fruits should be collected immediately, as they inhibit further plant development and the setting of new fruits.

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Properly selected sweet pepper varieties and adherence to all agricultural practices will ensure a high yield of this vegetable crop, even in the harsh Siberian climate. Specially bred varieties can be grown in greenhouses and open ground.