Varietal features of Big Mom pepper
Pepper Big Mom was bred by Russian breeders for cultivation in regions with a temperate climate. This is a relatively new variety - it was registered in 2011, but has already become a favorite with many gardeners. Early ripening, yield and excellent taste of orange fruits are the main qualities for which this sweet pepper is appreciated.
Why is the variety interesting?
Big Mom is one of the representatives of the Big series (early ripe peppers) from the Aelita company. The variety has a high yield (from 6 to 7.5 kg or more per 1 m2). The seeds have a high germination rate (90%). Young plants after planting in the ground take root well, are not afraid of a short-term drop in temperature, and after freezing they quickly recover.
The Big Mama variety is early maturing. The first fruits can be obtained within 110–115 days after sowing the seeds if the peppers are grown in a foil or polycarbonate greenhouse. In the open field, it will be possible to get the first crop in 120-130 days from the moment of sowing.
Another important characteristic for which gardeners appreciate Big Mom pepper is its taste. Ripe fruits have a sweet taste, they are aromatic and juicy.
Description of the variety
The table below will help you get acquainted in detail with the features of the Big Mom variety.
| Variety information | Breeding |
| Pollination type | Self-pollinated |
| View | Shrub (in the open field) / half-stem (in a greenhouse). |
| Determinant. | |
| Type of ovary formation | Single. |
| Ripening rate | Early. |
| Ripening period - 110-115 days when grown indoors, | |
| 120–130 days when grown outdoors. | |
| Cultivation area | Open, closed ground. |
| Designed for cultivation in regions with a temperate climate. | |
| Stocking density (planting pattern) | 6 bushes per square meter (70 x 40 cm). |
| Yield | 6.2-7.5 kg per square meter. |
| Fruit type | The fruit is large, cuboid, the color in the phase of technical maturity is dark green, biological - orange. Strong aroma, no pungency, sweet flesh. |
| Purpose of fruits | Salad, for preservation, cooking vegetable dishes. |
| Resistant to adverse conditions | Resistant to temperature extremes (after a short cold snap it quickly recovers, growth stops when the temperature drops to 10 degrees). |
| Prefers areas well lit by the sun. | |
| Poorly tolerates drought, requires regular but moderate watering. | |
| Disease resistance | With proper care, it is resistant to most diseases of nightshade crops - gray rot, late blight, anthracnose, macrosporiosis, verticillosis. |
The height of plants grown in open areas varies from 60 to 80 cm. Peppers cultivated in greenhouses reach 1–1.5 m.
Semi-spreading bush. The leaves are dark green, medium in size.
The weight of Big Mama pepper fruits is usually 130-160 g. Large specimens reach 200-210 g. Peppers have a cubic elongated shape with weak ribs. Subject to correct agricultural technology, the fruits are very fleshy.
The color of the pepper at the stage of biological maturity is bright orange. Technically, the ripe fruit is dark green in color, but no less tasty.
Pros and cons of the variety
Big Mom pepper has a lot of advantages. Some of them are already presented in the table with the description of the variety (high degree of resistance to diseases, temperature fluctuations, yield). Other advantages of the variety include:
- high content of nutrients - carotene, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, manganese;
- the ability to use the fruits fresh and for canning;
- unpretentiousness of the plant during growth and fruiting.
Those who have already grown Big Mom pepper on their plots note exclusively its positive qualities. There is no information about the cons of the variety.
Growing features
The Big Mama variety is intended for cultivation in the open field and in the greenhouse. To obtain early vegetables, sowing seeds is carried out in February or early March. Plants dive at the stage of two true leaves.
You can plant Big Mom in the greenhouse in early May, in the garden - when the danger of frost has passed and the night temperature is at least +10 degrees. In the first week after planting, outdoor plants can be wrapped in spunbond.
It is recommended to install a support for the bush immediately after planting. In the greenhouse follows consider the possibility of tying tall plant. To increase yields, the first stepsons and buds are removed.
Big Mama grows well on carefully loosened, drained soil. When growing pepper of this variety, it is extremely important not to overdry the soil, but also to prevent moisture stagnation. Watering is done with warm water after sunset.
If possible, it is worth refusing to weed row spacings - the procedure can damage the root system. It is recommended instead mulch the space between the bushes to maintain normal moisture, stable soil temperature.
When growing Big Mom peppers, you need to remember about feeding plants with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer:
- during planting (NPK ratio - 1: 2: 3);
- after disembarkation - every week (1: 1: 1);
- after receiving the first fruits - weekly (1: 1: 1).
Reviews about Big Mom pepper are only positive. Gardeners note good and fast seed germination, as well as high plant productivity. For many, Big Mom has become a favorite variety due to its unusually attractive appearance and very tasty fruits.
Big Mom sweet pepper is easy to grow even for a novice gardener. The variety is unpretentious to care, gives a good harvest. But its main advantage is the ability to enjoy fragrant fruits in the middle of summer.
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