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Not all vegetable crops grown on our plots can be successfully used not only in cooking, but also in medicine and cosmetology. A rare number of such universal crops is hot red pepper. Its benefits have been seen since the Mayan and Aztec times. Growing red pepper plants is not difficult, and the benefits of its hot fruits will be enormous.
The benefits of red hot pepper
Red hot pepper, otherwise called chili pepper, is a very amazing vegetable of the nightshade family. The useful substances contained in it can have a positive effect on all organs and systems of the human body. It contains about 40 different vitamins, 20 minerals, more than 20 enzymes, as well as various oils and esters:
- vitamins A;
- vitamins of group B;
- vitamin C;
- iron;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- phosphorus and others.
Red chili peppers are one of the few vegetables that contain capsaicin, a natural anti-cancer alkaloid. Its effectiveness against cancer cells has been proven by many medical tests. This substance, obtained from the fruit of the chili pepper, is part of many medicines.
Red pepper is one of the most common components of painkillers. In addition, it perfectly relieves pain symptoms and fresh. It is recommended to use it for pain in:
- musculoskeletal system;
- gastrointestinal system;
- chest organs.
It is effectively used for colds, bleeding, shock and fainting, as well as for general strengthening of the body.
Red pepper will be useful for those who monitor their appearance. It will help not only to cope with the problem of excess weight, but also normalizes the condition of the skin and hair. It is from it that funds are made to combat hair loss and enhance their growth.
For external use, it is recommended to first check for an allergic reaction. This can be done by applying a small amount of pepper or a product with it to the skin. In the presence of burning or redness of the skin, its use is contraindicated.
Scoville scale
You can’t look at red hot peppers without mentioning the Scoville scale. It was developed in America by chemist Wilbur Scoville to compare the spiciness of hot pepper varieties. The units indicated in it indicate the content of capsaicin in each variety. Accordingly, the more it is, the more units the variety receives and the sharper it tastes.
The units of the Scoville scale are usually indicated on western varieties. manufacturers do not use this scale.
The image shows the Scoville scale. On the left are the units, and on the right are the names of the varieties.
Characteristics of varieties
There are more than 3000 varieties of hot peppers. Let’s consider the most popular varieties for growing in our climatic zone, depending on the timing of their ripening.
Early varieties
The fruit ripening period of these varieties will not exceed 100 days.
Adzhika
This variety is distinguished not only by its fruits, but also by bushes. They can grow over a meter in height. In this case, support for the bushes of this plant is not required. The sharp fruits of Adjika also differ in their size: they are quite large with a weight of up to 90 grams. In shape, the fruits resemble an elongated cone of bright red color. Their rather sharp flesh is thick and dense in structure, with a pleasant peppery aroma.
Burning bouquet
The compact, powerful Bush of the Burning Bouquet will not exceed 75 cm, so it will do just fine without a garter. Its cone-shaped fruits have semi-sharp flesh with a peppery aroma. Their weight will not exceed 25 grams with a length of up to 12 cm. Their color changes from dark green to dark red as they mature.
A burning bouquet is distinguished by its yield – up to 2 kg per square meter. In addition, he has a good immunity to diseases.
Miracle of the Moscow Region
Tall semi-spreading bushes of this variety have very little foliage and do not require artificial formation. On them are drooping cone-shaped fruits. They have a flat and smooth surface. During the period of biological ripeness, their color changes from light yellow to red. Pepper variety Miracle of the Moscow Region is quite big – up to 25 cm in length and weighing up to 50 grams. Its diameter will be about 3 cm, while the wall thickness will be 1-2 mm. Due to its slightly spicy taste, it is perfect for cooking many dishes.
The yield of the variety will be about 4 kg per square meter. At the same time, up to 20 fruits can be harvested from each bush.
Medium varieties
The fruit ripening period of these varieties will not exceed 120 days.
Astrakhan 147
This high-yielding variety is perfect for outdoor cultivation. The height of its compact semi-standard bushes will not exceed 70 cm. The Astrakhan 147 variety is characterized by smooth cone-shaped fruits with a length of up to 9 cm and a weight of up to 10 grams. In the period of technical maturity, they are painted in dark green, and in the period of biological – in red. They have rough and sharp flesh.
A distinctive feature of this variety is resistance to many diseases, as well as the plasticity of its fruits. The yield of Astrakhansky 147 will not exceed 3 kg per square meter.
Lamb horn
Standard bushes of this variety will not exceed 1,5 meters in height. They are elongated fruits with a length of up to 20 cm and a weight of up to 40 grams. Their diameter will be 3 cm, and the wall thickness – 2 mm. The degree of maturity of the fruits of the variety Lamb’s horn is determined by their color. Green unripe peppers side by side with mature red ones. The pulp of a ripe fruit has an average sharpness. It is perfect for canning and drying.
cayenne bitter
It is suitable for both greenhouses and open ground. Perennial bushes of hot pepper Cayenne bitter grow above 1 meter. After flowering, they are sprinkled with green oblong-shaped fruits. Their length will be about 10 cm. In the process of ripening, the color of the peppers changes to yellow, and then to red. Due to the high content of capsaicin, its pulp is quite sharp. It can be used both fresh and dried.
Late varieties
The fruit ripening period of these varieties will not exceed 150 days.
Tabasco
Bushes up to 1,5 meters high are distinguished by their resistance to many diseases. During the fruiting period, they are literally strewn with fruits. Tabasco peppers are small, only 5 cm long and 6 mm in diameter. Its color changes depending on the degree of maturity from green to yellow and bright red. The taste of red pepper of this variety is not very sharp. It has a spicy aroma and a smoky taste. It is from this variety that the famous Tabasco sauce is made.
Vizier
After flowering, its powerful semi-spreading bushes are dotted with small fruits weighing up to 20 grams. A distinctive feature of this variety is the chalmoid shape of the peppers. As they ripen, the green fruits of the Vizir variety acquire a red color. Their slightly spicy flesh is perfect for cooking.
The yield of the variety will be up to 4 kg per square meter.
Margelansky 330
This variety is considered one of the best varieties to grow in our latitudes. Its semi-standard, slightly sprawling bushes grow up to 60 cm in height. Red mature fruits are up to 14 cm long and weigh 10 grams. They have an elongated cone shape and sharp flesh.
The variety has a high yield and excellent disease resistance.
Recommendations for growing
Red hot pepper is one of the few crops that can be successfully grown at home. Varieties with compact bushes are best suited for this.
The video will tell you more about growing hot peppers at home:
At their summer cottage, it is grown, just like its counterpart – bell pepper. First you need to prepare the seedlings. It is best to start preparing it in February. The deadline for planting seeds for seedlings is mid-March.
When sowing seeds for seedlings, it is worth considering that this crop, like all representatives of the nightshade family, does not tolerate transplanting very well. Therefore, it is better to plant seeds in separate containers of 2-3 things. After germination, weak sprouts are removed.
Ready seedlings should be planted in open ground or a greenhouse no earlier than 2 months from the moment of germination. Landing in a permanent place should be carried out according to the scheme recommended by the seed manufacturer – in most cases it is 25×25 cm. If young seedlings are planted in open ground, then at first they should be covered with a film for the night.
Caring for red pepper plants is:
- Regular watering with warm water. At the same time, it is very important to prevent severe drying of the soil, as well as its waterlogging. Drip irrigation would be ideal;
- Top dressing no more than 1-2 times a month with any universal fertilizer.
The timing of the harvest of hot red pepper depends on its variety. But as a rule, it is not produced before the end of July.
Since red pepper is a biennial crop, it is not necessary to pull out the plants after harvesting. They can be carefully cut, dug up and taken to spend the winter in a cool place, for example, in the basement. In February – March, such “blanks” are grown as seedlings, followed by planting in May in a permanent place.
You can learn about the intricacies of growing red hot peppers in open ground from the video:
