Characteristics and description of tall pepper varieties

The diligence of many Russian gardeners is enviable. They manage to produce excellent pepper harvests even in the harsh climate of Siberia and the Urals, and they harvest the delicious fruits of this heat-loving crop in the regions of the country's European North.

Of course, a lot depends on agricultural technology, as well as on the correct choice of variety.

Gardeners in temperate climates most often prefer determinate peppers—low-growing, early-ripening, and easy-to-grow varieties. However, taller peppers, which boast higher yields and a longer fruiting period, are also popular. While these plants thrive in the south, if you approach the crop wisely and plant early-ripening indeterminate varieties (and these days there are those, not just late-ripening ones), the results will be impressive.

Rules for growing tall peppers in greenhouses

Let's start with the fact that tall peppers are recommended to be grown in greenhouses. Under cover, it's easier to create optimal conditions for these plants, thus guaranteeing a harvest.

Indeterminate varieties and hybrids are distinguished by their tall stature, strong stems, and dense foliage. Their leaf blades are typically large and richly green. Plants reach 150-200 cm in height and produce numerous ovaries, allowing for a large harvest of fruit from a single bush. Most varieties and hybrids of this type are mid-season or late ripening, although many early, tall-growing peppers have been bred.

Growing such varieties has its own peculiarities, and this is due to the specific nature of the plant.

•      When choosing vigorous, tall peppers, keep the greenhouse height in mind. Bushes over a meter tall require adequate shelter, otherwise, you won't achieve the desired results.
•      An important technique is the mandatory shaping of these peppers, and this doesn't just involve a single pruning. Shaping is done in stages, and if done correctly, you'll get the fruits that meet their stated characteristics.
•      Tall varieties and hybrids require ample feeding. These plants are vigorous and produce a large number of ovaries, so their nutrient requirements are much higher than those of determinate varieties.
•      It's important to strictly follow the planting recommendations. Indets require space and are typically planted 3-4 plants per square meter.

•      Before planting peppers, you need to ensure they have support. A trellis is a good option, but individual stakes and ties can also be used. Staking these plants is essential, and it's best to use wide cotton strips rather than rope.

  

When shaping the plant, work begins when the pepper grows to about 20 cm. As soon as its main stem forks and the first bud appears, it's time to start pinching. This crown bud, as it's called, must be removed.

The pepper will continue to branch, forming lateral branches. The side shoots on these branches are removed, and all secondary branches are pinched. Generally, only the main skeletal shoot is left, removing all other shoots. When pinching, one ovary and the leaf above it are usually left; this leaf will be responsible for feeding the future fruit.

Trellis are convenient because all the branches of tall peppers are attached to transverse ropes or wires. This ensures adequate light for all branches and buds, preventing shade. All discolored, overgrown, and weak shoots should be removed. Any yellow or wilted leaves should also be removed.

Once the pepper plants reach a height of 100-120 cm, it's recommended to pinch out the tops. About a month before the end of fruiting, pinch out all branches of each order. This will stop their growth and allow the plants to focus all their energy on the fruit.

Varieties of tall pepper

Tall peppers impress with the diversity of their fruits: in shape, size, and color. This review presents a wide variety of varieties and hybrids, and this is only a small fraction of the number available to gardeners from breeders.

Merchant

A pepper bush of this variety grows almost a meter tall in a greenhouse. Despite its considerable height, the medium-sized plant is compact. The fruits are drooping and cylindrical in shape. The skin is dense, smooth, and glossy. Ripe fruits are bright red, with up to 2-3 cavities inside.

The pericarp of the fruit reaches approximately 5 mm; with good care, some peppers form large and thick-walled fruits (wall thickness up to 8 mm).

This mid-season variety takes 110-115 days to harvest (technical maturity). Peppers weigh up to 80-90 grams, with a maximum of 130 grams. The flavor is good.

This pepper is typically used for preserves and canning. The Kupets variety is distinguished by its high commercial quality and high yield (up to 3-4 kg in a greenhouse).

Atlas

The Atlant pepper variety is also included in the State Register of Russian Cultivars. It is recommended for all regions and grows well under plastic covers. It reaches a height of up to 110 cm, with spreading branches. The plant requires staking, support, and regular training.

In terms of growing season, this variety is mid-early; green, technically ripe fruits can be harvested after just 105 days. These figures assume the peppers receive all the necessary care and nutrition.

The Atlanta fruit typically weighs 130-150 grams and is cone-shaped. The smooth, glossy skin is bright red.

The wall thickness is up to 5 mm, the length of the fruits is about 14 cm.

The taste qualities are very high, the pepper is recommended for fresh consumption and canning.

Orange miracle

The Orange Miracle pepper hybrid is interesting, with its bright, sunny fruits. The plant reaches a height of almost 110 cm, requiring support. This hybrid has large leaves and equally large peppers.

The fruits are very fleshy, weighing up to 250 grams. The bush, covered with brightly colored "cubes," looks very attractive. On average, up to 10 fruits form on a single plant, so the yield of the Orange Miracle is truly impressive. The peppers have walls up to 7-10 mm thick and excellent flavor. The hybrid's distinguishing feature is its exceptionally sweet fruit and fleshy, tender texture.

The harvested fruits retain their marketable qualities for a long time and are suitable for transportation. In northern regions, it is recommended to grow Orange Miracle only in greenhouses.

California Miracle

A remarkable variety, believed to have been developed over a century ago in the United States, this pepper is now familiar to many gardeners, and despite the wide variety of new hybrids and varieties, it is often preferred over other new varieties.

The first pepper fruits are harvested after 110 days, but they are still green, though still edible. It will take another 21-25 days for the fruits to reach biological maturity and turn bright red.

This variety grows vigorously, reaching up to one meter in height, depending on growing conditions. It will grow taller in greenhouses, and slightly shorter in open ground. The peppers are thick-walled, ribbed cubes with glossy, dense skin. The average fruit weight is 130 grams. The flavor is excellent, and judging by gardener reviews, this variety has pleased many. The peppers are used for stuffing, side dishes, baking, and are also suitable for all types of canning.

Since 1999, the California Miracle has been included in the State Register of the Russian Federation. It is prized for its ease of cultivation, stable yields, hardiness, and resistance to many diseases. Even in unfavorable seasons, this variety will reward you with an excellent harvest. It is suitable for those new to sweet pepper cultivation.

Miracle Tree

This hybrid is captivating in appearance, truly resembling a small tree. This miracle tree is distinguished by its productivity and low maintenance.

Peppers grow and bear fruit well even in low light conditions, but a sunny location is still recommended. The plant reaches a height of 170-200 cm, which is certainly impressive. The bush produces numerous small fruits, each weighing approximately 50 grams. Miracle Tree peppers resemble small prisms, have thick skin, and a vibrant red color.

The pulp is juicy and flavorful. The fruits are suitable for cooking and canning.

Cockatoo

It typically takes about 115 days for the Kakadu pepper hybrid to harvest its first fruits, but it can be shorter. This hybrid produces the best results when grown in a greenhouse, given that it reaches a height of almost one and a half meters.

The bush is very tall, vigorous, and densely foliated. The branches are spreading, but thanks to the stocky stem, the plant is very stable. Staking is recommended during the fruiting season.

The pepper fruits are narrow, slightly curved cylinders, resembling the beak of a large parrot, hence the hybrid's name. They reach up to 30 cm in length. When ripe, the peppers are dark green, turning red when fully ripe.

The fruits weigh approximately 350-500 grams, with up to 8-10 large peppers ripening on a bush. The Kakadu F1 hybrid requires warmth and light, so in northern regions it is grown only in greenhouses. The fruits have a variety of uses.

Hercules

Early Hercules will reward you with large, juicy fruits in just three months. Peppers of this variety are very juicy and sweet, which is why gardeners in many regions highly value the taste of Hercules.

It is recommended to grow this pepper in greenhouses, and only for southern regions is planting in open ground suitable.

The bushes of this variety grow up to 80-100 cm, with average foliage.

Cube-shaped peppers are bright red, with thick walls up to 7-8 mm. The skin is very glossy, the fruits are drooping, and there are up to 3-4 nests inside. The flavor of ripe peppers is very good.

This variety is resistant to fusarium and other diseases. It's productive and easy to grow, making it a worthwhile choice!

Chord

The Accord pepper performs very well in protected soil. One square meter can yield up to 7 kg of tasty, juicy, and transportable peppers. In terms of ripening time, the Accord pepper is mid-early (up to 110 days).

This variety is tall, with medium-sized, wrinkled leaves. The fruits are cone-shaped, weighing 190-200 grams. The peppers are drooping, with smooth, shiny skin and uniform appearance. They are red when fully ripe, and light green when technically ripe.

This variety is prized for its excellent pepper flavor and shelf life. The fruits can be used in a variety of dishes, and they are excellent in salads and preserves.

Claudio

It is better to grow the Dutchman Claudio F1 in a greenhouse, since in the beds the yield is highly dependent on weather conditions.

It's marketed as an early hybrid, but this only applies to fruits that reach technical maturity—up to 90 days. It takes much longer for the peppers to ripen and turn red—up to 140 days.

The bush is vigorous and tall, reaching a height of approximately 90-100 cm. The fruits are large, elongated cubes, weighing up to 180-200 grams. When fully ripe, the peppers are a beautiful dark red.

They are distinguished by thick walls—up to 10 mm—and excellent flavor. The flesh is very juicy and aromatic. A single plant can produce up to 10-12 fruits, but only with proper care. The hybrid is resistant to temperature fluctuations and does not reduce yield even under stressful conditions.

Claudio peppers are very dense, uniform, and suitable for storage and transportation. This hybrid is valued for its high commercial quality.

Latino

This hybrid has gained popularity among gardeners for its high yield. Up to 12 kg of fruit can be harvested from one square meter, but only with proper care.

The Latino hybrid is an early-ripening variety, ripening in up to 110 days. It's best grown in a greenhouse, using trellises for support. It produces excellent results when trained into two stems. The bush reaches 100-110 cm in height, but is quite compact. The cube-shaped fruits are very juicy, weighing up to 180-200 grams. The cubes are up to 15 cm long, and the color is a rich, bright red.

During the fruiting and ripening period, the Latino bush is very colorful. The fruits have an excellent taste and are used in all types of preserves and home cooking. A distinctive feature of the Latino F1 is its resistance to disease, stress, and adverse conditions.

Cornet

For lovers of unusual peppers, the productive and delicious Cornet variety is recommended. Its bush is very vigorous, reaching a height of 150-160 cm, with abundant foliage. The fruits are drooping prisms, large, weighing up to 190-230 grams. The flesh is very juicy, with a pericarp up to 6 mm. The peppers' unique dark brown coloring is captivating, lending a magical beauty to the entire plant. Cornet has a sweet taste and a pleasant aroma.

Staking, support, and shaping are essential. However, in plastic greenhouses, its branching is limited, making care easy. The variety's value lies in its low maintenance, long fruiting period, and high carotene content.

The variety also has a very good yield; on average, up to 5-5.3 kg of fruit can be harvested from one square meter.

The first fruits are harvested after approximately 105 days.

Fertilizing tall peppers

This review presents a wide variety of varieties and hybrids, and almost all of them have fairly high yields. However, it's important to remember that these vigorous, tall peppers require appropriate nutrition. Therefore, when choosing them for cultivation, remember to fertilize them regularly.

The typical fertilizing schedule for these "giants" is about once every two weeks, but the condition of the plants themselves must be taken into account. It's advisable to alternate organic and mineral fertilizers; ready-made mixtures, which are widely available in specialty stores, are very convenient.

During the seedling period, peppers are fed twice. If transplanting is planned, both feedings are done after transplanting, approximately 10-14 days later. What to use:

•         humates (dilute and water according to instructions);
•         urea.

Micronutrient fertilizers such as Ideal and Aquadon are well suited for seedlings.

Proper soil preparation for pepper planting is crucial, and adding fresh manure is strictly prohibited. In the fall, rotted cow manure is added, followed by superphosphate and ash in the spring.

The first feeding after repotting is done approximately 14-15 days later, using organic matter. The mullein should be steeped in water for a week beforehand, and then watered with the infusion on each plant.

The next feeding, according to the schedule, is no sooner than 10-14 days later. Mineral fertilizers are suitable here (if the first feeding was organic), or vice versa. Nitrogen fertilizers are needed for pepper growth, but during flowering and fruiting, they require phosphorus and potassium.

Peppers are particularly demanding of potassium; a deficiency causes the leaves to become rough, and the fruits to become small and taste mediocre. Therefore, it's important to provide the plants with sufficient amounts of this nutrient, but be mindful of the recommended dosage.

Various folk remedies can also be used for feeding, including baker's yeast, iodine compounds, boric acid and, of course, wood ash.

Proper care of tall, beautiful peppers will allow you to get a bountiful harvest and delight your family with ripe, tasty, vitamin-rich fruits.

Reviews

Renata, Yaroslavl

I tried growing various tall peppers. I liked the Kakadu from the description, but in practice I wasn't thrilled. The fruits were late to ripen, thin-walled, and somewhat uneven. I'd say the only positive thing about them is their large size. I used all of them. I got seeds from Sedek, and out of seven, only three came out.

Tatyana, Nizhny Novgorod

I always plant a lot of peppers, among which my favorites are Indalo and Latino. They're productive, delicious, and there's always a lot on the plant. I only plant them in a greenhouse; I have a special one for peppers. They grow quickly and early. In our area, these peppers are a real find for gardeners. But they require care; they love to be well-fed. They also need good soil, otherwise the fruits will be small and few in number.