All about Merchant sweet pepper - features of the variety and growing rules
Many gardeners are happy to grow bell peppers. Usually, a small area is allocated for this crop, where, with the correct selection of the variety, a good harvest can be grown. Pepper Kupets is popular among summer residents. What are its advantages over other varieties and how to grow it correctly to get an excellent harvest?
The authorship of the Kupets variety belongs to the specialists of the West Siberian Vegetable Station. The breeders sought to create a variety for cultivation in the cooler regions of the country. Upon completion of work, in 2001, the Merchant was entered in the State Register. Since that time, it has been actively cultivated by residents of Russia and other countries. Despite the fact that when creating a variety, specialists were guided by unfavorable climatic conditions, it can be grown in almost all regions. Frost resistance and high yield quickly ensured the merchant's popularity and wide distribution.
Reasons for popularity
Pepper Kupets is happily grown on their plots by amateur gardeners, summer residents and farmers. The variety is distinguished by easy and quick adaptation, good cold resistance and excellent commercial qualities. Unlike many other varieties, it is characterized by durable fabrics. Young plants are always compact, and adults do not fall or bend under the weight of ripe fruits, even in greenhouse conditions, where they are more impressive in size compared to those grown in the open field.
Description of the variety
The merchant is an early ripe sweet pepper variety. It is known that the vast majority of varieties of this vegetable are grown in hot conditions with high humidity. In contrast, the Merchant grows well in cool regions. Thanks to this feature, the residents of the Urals and Siberia have an excellent opportunity to grow sweet peppers at home, in the open field.
The spreading bush of this pepper can grow up to 80–90 cm in height. This feature makes it look like miniature trees. Thanks to the dense stem, the fruits hold well, there is no need to tie up the shoots. The fruits are distinguished by delicious and juicy pulp, rich in vitamins. The ripeness of this variety can be technical, during which it can be used for food, but at the same time has a green color, and biological, in which the glossy skin of the fruit has a beautiful red color.
Housewives use this variety when preparing salads, first and second courses, stewing, as well as for canning. Since after defrosting the Merchant practically retains its original shape, taste and color, it is widely used as a semi-finished product. Recognized as an excellent option as the main ingredient for stuffing.
Main varietal characteristics of Kupets pepper:
| Variety information | Breeding |
| Pollination type | Self-pollinated |
| View | Stamp |
| Ripening rate | Early ripe. The time from the beginning of germination to the stage of technical ripeness is 110–112 days. |
| Cultivation area | Recommended for growing in the Central Black Earth, Volgo-Vyatka, Middle Volga and West Siberian regions. The variety is cultivated both in the open field and in greenhouses or greenhouses, in vegetable gardens, personal plots and on the territory of farms. |
| Density and landing pattern | When planting seedlings in greenhouses, the optimal planting density is 60x40 cm.If the work is carried out in open ground, the scheme is somewhat different - 45x45 cm. |
| Yield | 1.3-2.2 kg / m 2. |
| Fruit type | The fruits are cylindrical, drooping, glossy, smooth. The color can be green (during technical ripeness) or red (during biological maturation). The walls of the fruit can be 4–8 mm thick, and their weight is 60–90 g. With an average aroma, they have good taste. |
| Purpose of fruits | The fruits are used fresh, as well as in the preparation of various dishes and for preservation. |
| Resistant to adverse conditions | It has good resistance to temperature extremes, tolerates drought and cold weather well. |
| Disease resistance | Differs in good immunity to fungal infections. But in case of improper care, it can be affected by diseases such as black leg, gray rot or spotted wilting. |
The fruits of this variety have a pyramidal shape, they are quite large: if vegetables are grown in the open field, then the weight of each specimen can be 85–90 g, and in greenhouse conditions - 130–140 g. They differ in a significant wall thickness - 0.6–0, 8 cm, however, this figure depends mainly on the weather and the amount of dressing. The juicy and sweet pulp contains a lot of vitamins and sugar. The pungency and bitterness are not felt. The fruits have an even color and a beautiful glossy shine. Due to its good presentation, many grow such peppers for sale.
Pros and cons of the variety
Kupets pepper has a number of advantages that distinguish it favorably from other varieties:
- the possibility of growing both in the open field and in greenhouse conditions;
- ease of care;
- fast ripening of fruits and obtaining large specimens, the weight of which can reach 100 g;
- the plant is compact, therefore it does not take up much space on the site;
- the variety is resistant to diseases and harmful insects;
- during the growing season, new ovaries appear almost every day;
- high yield;
- fruits are of good taste;
- excellent transportability and the possibility of long-term storage of fruits.
Numerous reviews of gardeners indicate that the Merchant pepper does not have significant drawbacks, however, in some cases, individual specimens still require garters.
Growing features
When growing this variety of pepper, mainly the seedling method is used. The seeds are pre-soaked for 3-4 days until sprouts appear, and then placed in containers filled with loose nutrient soil. Planting in open ground is carried out in consistently warm weather, usually in the second half of May - early June. When planting seedlings in a permanent place, it is advisable to fertilize with ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium fertilizers. When making holes for planting, it is recommended to slightly fertilize them with humus.
It is important to remember that the plant does not grow well in dry soil, so it should be watered moderately but regularly. More frequent watering is necessary during flowering, fruit formation and ripening, especially if the weather is dry and hot. Experts recommend periodically loosen the soil, and during the formation of the ovary, it is advisable to re-fertilize the bushes with organic or mineral fertilizers. The best precursors for the Merchant pepper are legumes, carrots, cabbage and onions.
Changes in the appearance of the bush very often indicate some kind of problems. For example, when the underside of the leaves and stems turn purple, this indicates a phosphorus deficiency. Therefore, the introduction of phosphorus-potassium supplements is necessary during the entire growing season. Aeration of the root system is provided by loosening the soil. In this case, it is necessary to remove side leaves and shoots. To ensure good yields, the central peduncle emerging from the first fork is removed.
Damaged leaves and stems, as well as their sudden wilting, may indicate damage to plants by harmful insects.It is important to determine which pest is causing harm and treat the plant with an appropriate insecticide.
Reviews of gardeners
Andrey Ivanovich: “I have been growing this pepper for the second year. I am very pleased, because the harvest is good, despite the constant heat and temporary cold snaps. The fruits are medium in size and very tasty. "
Svetlana Alekseevna: “The seeds of the Kupets variety were brought to me by a relative who lives in Irkutsk. I always thought that in our region it is impossible to grow sweet peppers, so I was very surprised when I unexpectedly managed to get a fairly high yield. For growing seedlings, I bought a special soil mixture in the store. The fruits of this variety are juicy, fleshy and tasty. Next year I plan to allocate a plot for growing this pepper again ”.
Observing the simple rules of growing Merchant pepper, you can, even living in the northern regions of the country, delight your household with delicious and healthy dishes prepared on its basis. Large fruits retain a pleasant taste and aroma for a long time, so you can delight your family members with vitamins throughout the entire autumn period.
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