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Pepper Hercules is a hybrid variety obtained by French breeders. The variety gives a high yield and is characterized by long fruiting. The hybrid is planted in open beds in the southern regions. In other climatic conditions, planting is carried out in a greenhouse.
Variety description
Description of Pepper Hercules F1:
- medium early maturation;
- bush height 75-80 cm;
- fruiting 70-75 days after seedling transfer;
- yield per bush from 2 to 3,5 kg.
Characteristics of the fruits of the Hercules F1 variety:
- cuboid shape;
- average weight 250 g, maximum – 300 g;
- wall thickness up to 1 cm;
- fruit length – 11 cm;
- as it ripens, it changes color from green to dark red;
- very sweet taste even in green fruits.
Hercules fruits are suitable for fresh consumption, freezing and processing. Due to the good presentation, the variety is grown for sale.
Pepper can be harvested at the stage of technical maturity. Then its shelf life is 2 months. If the fruits have already turned red on the bushes, then after harvesting, you need to process them as soon as possible.
seedlings of peppers
Variety Hercules is grown by seedling method. Seeds are germinated at home. Before starting work, prepare the soil and planting material. When the pepper grows up, it is transferred to a permanent place in an open area, in a greenhouse or greenhouse.
Preparing for planting
Seeds of the Hercules variety are planted in March or February. They are pre-wrapped in a moistened cloth and kept warm for a couple of days. This treatment stimulates the emergence of sprouts.
If the seeds have a bright colored shell, then they are not processed before planting. Such planting material has a nutritious shell, due to which seedlings develop faster.
The soil for planting the Hercules variety is prepared from the following components:
- humus – 2 parts;
- coarse river sand – 1 part;
- land from the site – 1 part;
- wood ash – 2 tbsp. l.
The resulting soil is heated for 15 minutes in a microwave or oven. Under the seedlings prepare boxes or individual cups. One option is to use peat pots.
If you grow Hercules peppers in boxes, then when 1-2 leaves appear, it must be dived into separate containers. The culture does not tolerate such changes in conditions, so picking should be avoided if possible.
Crops are watered and containers are placed under glass or film. Seed germination occurs at temperatures above 20 degrees. The emerging shoots are transferred to the window.
seedling conditions
Hercules seedlings provide certain conditions:
- temperature regime (in the daytime – no more than 26 degrees, at night – about 12 degrees);
- moderate soil moisture;
- regular watering with warm, settled water;
- airing the room;
- lack of drafts;
- increased air humidity due to spraying.
Before transferring plants to a permanent place, they are fed twice with Agricola or Fertik fertilizer. Between treatments make a break equal to 2 weeks.
2 weeks before planting, young plants need hardening. They are transferred to a balcony or loggia, first for several hours, then this interval is gradually increased. Then the transplant will bring less stress to the peppers.
Planting peppers
The Hercules variety is planted in open areas, greenhouses or greenhouses. Transplantation is carried out at the end of May, when the air temperature rises to 15 degrees.
Pepper prefers light soils with low acidity. The preparation of the beds is carried out in the fall, when the soil is dug up, they are applied per 1 sq. m rotted manure (5 kg), double superphosphate (25 g) and potassium sulfate (50 g).
The place for growing the Hercules variety is chosen depending on the culture that previously grew on it. Good predecessors for peppers are zucchini, cucumbers, onions, pumpkins, carrots.
It is not recommended to plant if any varieties of peppers, eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes have previously grown in the garden. These crops have common diseases that can be transferred to new plantings.
The order of planting Hercules peppers:
- Preparation of holes 15 cm deep.
- The holes are placed in 40 cm increments. 40 cm are also left between the rows.
- Add 1 tbsp to each hole. l. complex fertilizer, including potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Plants are moved to the pits along with an earthen clod.
- The roots of peppers are covered with earth, which is lightly tamped.
- Plants are watered abundantly.
After transplanting, peppers need about 10 days to adapt. Do not apply moisture or fertilizer during this period.
Care scheme
According to reviews, Hercules F1 pepper reacts positively to watering and fertilizing. The care of the variety also includes loosening, mulching the soil with humus, and forming a bush.
Variety Hercules is formed into 1 stem when planted in open places. If plants are planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse, then 2 stems are left. Side shoots are removed from peppers.
Watering plantings
Before flowering, peppers need to be watered every week. When fruiting, the plants are watered twice a week. Each bush requires 3 liters of water.
When the fruits are formed, the intensity of watering is increased up to 2 times a week. To stimulate the ripening of the fruits of the Hercules variety, watering is stopped 10-14 days before harvest.
Variety Hercules is watered from a watering can under the root. Moisture is taken from the barrels when it settles and warms up. Exposure to cold water is stressful for plants. For watering, choose the evening or morning period.
Feeding peppers
Regular feeding of Hercules F1 pepper stimulates its development and fruit formation. During the season, plants are treated by spraying and fertilizing under the root.
After planting the plants, the first top dressing is carried out on the basis of a solution of urea (10 g) and double superphosphate (3 g) per 10 liters of water. Under the plants make 1 liter of the resulting fertilizer.
During flowering, Hercules F1 peppers are fed with boric acid (4 g per 2 liters of water). The solution stimulates fruit formation and prevents the ovaries from falling off. Fertilizer is applied by spraying. When adding 200 g of sugar to the solution, pepper flowers will attract pollinating insects.
Re-feeding of the Hercules variety with phosphorus and potassium is carried out during the ripening period of peppers. Plants are watered under the root.
Protection against diseases and pests
The Hercules variety is not susceptible to a number of diseases:
- bacterial spotting;
- tobamovirus;
- tobacco mosaic;
- Phytophthora.
Viral diseases are the most dangerous for peppers. To combat them, the affected plants are destroyed and the planting site is changed.
Fungal diseases spread in dense plantings with high humidity. They can be fought with the help of drugs Fundazol, Oksihom, Akara, Zaslon. If the agent contains copper compounds, then the treatment is carried out before flowering and after harvesting the fruits.
The Hercules variety is attacked by pests that feed on their cell sap, roots and leaves. Insecticides Keltan or Karbofos are effective against insects, which are used according to the instructions. From folk remedies use infusion of onion peel, tobacco dust, wood ash.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
According to the description, Hercules F1 pepper is distinguished by a friendly ripening of fruits, sweet taste and high commercial qualities. The variety is resistant to diseases, but requires constant watering and fertilizing when growing. The fruits of the variety have a universal use, suitable for preparing soups, side dishes, salads, snacks and homemade preparations.
