Characteristics and description of green chili peppers

Pepper

Not every gardener knows that the hot chili pepper's homeland is the prairies of Mexico. The local name for this country is "chilli," which translates as "bitter." Europeans discovered the pungent flavor of this exotic fruit after the American continent (Mexico) was discovered.

The crop, imported from overseas, was named chili pepper based on this similarity. Since then, it has become very popular. India and Thailand are considered the leading growers, producing the highest yields of chili peppers.

Characteristics of the variety

Green hot peppers grow as low (about 50 cm) spreading bushes with glossy leaves. Flowers are white or grayish-purple with light droplets, depending on the variety, and the variety is very diverse. This variety can be grown in any region of Russia and Ukraine. The fruits, weighing 100-300 grams, ripen within 3-4 months. Their shapes vary: long and elongated, miniature and spherical, and wide and semicircular. To obtain a bountiful harvest, vegetable growers plant 20-26 plants per square meter, with two plants per hole. Additionally, simple procedures are followed:

pinching out the shoots from each bush (removing shoots from the axils of the stems);
pinching the top of the plant;
removal of some flowers during abundant flowering.

How to grow an exotic crop

To ensure your garden yield doesn't disappoint, it's important to select high-quality chili pepper seeds. Many people plant seeds harvested in the fall from their own garden. This isn't always practical, as seed harvesting requires fruits that meet the varietal standards in shape and size. Seeds can lose their viability if improperly dried and stored. Pepper seeds take a long time to germinate, so it's best to start growing seedlings in early February.

Moistened cotton pads are placed on the bottom of the container, onto which the seeds are laid out; the container is covered with a damp cloth or glass to prevent moisture from evaporating, and transferred to a warm place;
a soil mixture is prepared from humus, sand and leaf soil in a ratio of 2:1:1;
The sprouted seedlings are planted directly into small cups filled with prepared soil, one in each; if planting in boxes, they will need to be pricked out, as the young shoots will interfere with each other;
when the first leaves appear, the containers should be moved to a sunny place;
After two weeks, hardening begins, the duration of which increases gradually;
As soon as the threat of May frosts has passed, the seedlings are planted in an area protected from the wind.

Another interesting cultivation method: fruiting bushes are pruned to a height of 10-15 cm from the root and transplanted into containers, which are then lowered into the cellar. During the winter, the bushes need to be watered periodically to prevent the soil underneath from drying out. Once the sowing season begins, the plants are fertilized and planted outdoors: development and fruiting occur much more quickly. Vegetable growers claim that a single bush can grow for up to five years.

Caring for crops in open ground

Agronomists claim that the fertilizers present in the soil are sufficient for plant development. Vegetable growers disagree: this is only effective if organic fertilizers are added to the soil in the fall. Otherwise, to improve growth and development, complex fertilizers are applied to the plants, usually before watering. If the plot is small, fertilizing with dissolved and fermented chicken manure can be used. The second key to a bountiful harvest is timely watering. On hot summer days, seedlings should be watered every other day. This is best done in the evening. If the plot is small, it's best to use warm, settled water to warm it up and enrich it with oxygen. As the soil dries, loosen it.

Features of growing hot peppers

Peppers are extremely heat-loving plants that require plenty of sunlight, so the southern regions are the most suitable for growing them outdoors. In northern regions, chili peppers lack the warmth and color of the sun, so they should be grown in greenhouses, especially since they can be eaten without waiting for them to fully ripen. Residents of northern regions often grow peppers on windowsills. Bushes draped with long green pods also serve a decorative function. However, several conditions must be met:

Place the pots on windowsills facing south and southeast, where the crops will receive adequate light. In cloudy weather, use white or fluorescent lamps (the number of lamps depends on the wattage: a 150-watt lamp ideally illuminates 1 square meter of space). They should be placed 30-40 cm from the crops.
Maintaining the correct temperature is also important. Remember that frosted glass creates a cold draft, dropping the temperature by 3-5°C. Flowerpots should be moved to the edge of the windowsill, if possible, and removed completely at night.
If radiators are located directly under the windowsill, peppers may suffer from overheating. In this case, generous watering and frequent foliar misting are necessary. Plywood louvers can be installed along the entire length of the window to deflect hot air.
For watering, use water at room temperature. If the room is cold, warm the water. In winter, water only in the morning.

Disease resistance

Chili peppers, thanks to their bactericidal properties, are resistant to plant diseases and pests, but if proper growing practices are not followed, a number of problems can occur:

Excessive watering causes the development of an infectious fungus (popular name - "black leg");
When growing hot peppers in greenhouses, insufficient ventilation and watering can lead to increased activity of spider mites and aphids.

Experts do not recommend using chemical insecticides because they destroy bacterial pathogens and reduce the pepper's flavor. Biological and folk remedies can help treat the plants and protect them in the future:

wood ash;
herbal decoctions;
tobacco infusion;
a strong solution of laundry or tar soap.

Harvesting and storage

One of the capsicum's remarkable characteristics is that the crop ripens gradually, so the pods can be eaten unripe. Those who enjoy a more intense taste will want to wait until the peppers are fully ripe, as this is when the pepper seeds, collected on the stalk, are particularly pungent. Slightly unripe chilies can be harvested in late August: the fruits will ripen indoors. The freed shoots begin to develop new ovaries. The last flush of the harvest is harvested just before frost.

There are different ways to store green peppers:

drying fruits

Strung on a coarse thread, the pods dry out and can be stored throughout the winter without losing their quality and aroma.

conservation

Green pods can be preserved using the cold method:

The peppers should be washed, stems included, and placed in layers in a clay jar, sprinkling each layer with coarse salt. The last layer is weighed down. After 2-3 weeks, the seasoning is ready to eat. The peppers can be stored in a jar for several months without molding. Some housewives fill the jar with a strong salt solution, prepared "like an egg," and cover with a lid. Pickled peppers are also delicious.

freezing

The harvest can also be preserved using the freeze-drying method. Before placing the fruit in the freezer, it is recommended to soak it in boiling water for a few minutes.

Used in any form, green pods add a piquant flavor to dishes.

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Reviews of the culture

On gardening forums, many users share their experiences growing green hot peppers:

The woman says she's been growing green hot peppers at her garden plot for many years. This easy-to-grow crop produces a wonderful harvest every year. She gave part of the harvest to guests visiting from the north. The peppers withstood the long journey with flying colors.
A young woman reports that she and her husband grew green hot peppers in a greenhouse. They watered the crops twice a week and fed them with potassium fertilizer. The results exceeded expectations.
A young man with a passion for spicy food planted several pepper plants in pots and placed them on his balcony. He watered them periodically and loosened the soil with a small shovel. He was delighted with the harvest. He plans to continue his agricultural experiments next year.

Growing green peppers is fun for everyone. The harvest is difficult to predict, but it will always be worth the effort and expense. A homemaker can prepare a variety of piquant sauces and seasonings for various dishes. As experience grows, unique methods for cultivating this fiery crop emerge, which will be of interest to beginning vegetable growers.