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Hot pepper has many names, someone calls it “chili”, someone likes the name “hot”. To date, more than three thousand varieties of hot peppers are known, all of them have their own characteristics. There are red, green, yellow, orange, purple and even chocolate peppers. The shape of the peppers and their sizes also differ. But the main distinguishing feature is the pungency or pungency of the fruit, its value is measured on the Scoville scale – the higher the SHU value indicated on the seed package, the more “evil” the pepper will grow from them.
In this article, we will consider the most famous varieties of hot pepper, get acquainted with its characteristics and growing conditions.
How to grow hot peppers at home
Chili pepper is good because it can be planted not only in a greenhouse or on a garden bed, very often this crop is planted in pots that decorate window sills or balconies.
Hot pepper came to Europe from tropical America and India. On these continents with a humid and hot climate, the culture is considered perennial – chili peppers can grow there and bear fruit all year round.
In the domestic climate, a heat-loving crop will have to be planted every season. Due to the long growing season (90 to 130 days), the plants grown by seedlings:
- seeds are pre-soaked and left in a warm place for spitting;
- seeds are planted in prepared loose soil;
- pots are placed in a warm place where there are no drafts and temperature changes;
- 1-1,5 months after sowing, seedlings can be transferred to a permanent place (in a greenhouse or on the ground).
What are hot peppers
Many people mistakenly believe that hot peppers must be red. Chili peppers can be painted in absolutely any shade. The same applies to the shape and size of the fruit. There are fruits, the length of which reaches 30 cm, and there are very small peppers, the size of which does not exceed a couple of centimeters.
In the tropics or in India, peppers grow with a pronounced fruity or citrus aroma and a pleasant taste. From such fruits they make excellent sauces, seasonings, prepare exotic dishes.
The whole world classifies hot peppers into several main categories.:
- Chinese are considered the most pungent.
- Mexican habaneros are the most popular.
- Trinidad differ in taste, are used for the preparation of sauces and adjika.
- 7 Pot grouped based on an unusual shape and a pronounced fruity flavor.
- Jalapeno more than other species loves heat, so it is grown in greenhouses and greenhouses. It is these varieties that are grown on the windowsills of city apartments.
- cayenne peppers are easily recognizable by their hotness and elongated shape, the bushes of these varieties are low and compact.
- Bush varieties, which include the famous Tabasco, are less popular, but also have their fans.
“Double Abundance”
This variety can be planted in open ground, but in greenhouse conditions the yield will be higher – up to 40 fruits can be removed from each bush. Peppers do not ripen immediately; it is possible to harvest up to five times per season.
The shape of the fruit is trunk-shaped, elongated. The length of each is about 20 cm, the average weight is 70 grams. In a mature state, the pepper is colored red.
The walls of the peppers are thick enough, so it is not suitable for drying, but from the “Double Abundance” excellent preparations are obtained in jars, and the fruits can also be frozen.
The plant endures strong summer heat, is not afraid of diseases and viruses.
“Burning Bouquet”
This pepper can be grown both in the greenhouse and in the garden. Bushes grow small – up to 50 cm in height, not sprawling. Plant branches do not need to be tied up, as the fruits of this variety are quite light.
The mass of one pod is only 15-20 grams, and the length is up to 12 cm. The shape of the fruit is cone-shaped, strongly elongated, the peppers have a small diameter. At the stage of biological maturity, the fruits acquire a scarlet color.
The walls of the fruits are thin, they are excellent for drying and other uses. The taste of pepper is pleasant, with a special aroma of paprika.
“Chinese fire”
This variety is one of the hottest peppers. Bushes reach a height of 65 cm, they can be grown both in greenhouses and in open areas.
The peppers themselves are not very large – each weighs only 70 grams, but long – about 25 cm. When the fruit ripens, it becomes a rich red color. The shape of the pepper is a cone, but with a slightly curved bottom.
The culture belongs to early ripening – fruits can be harvested 90 days after germination. Plants staunchly resist viruses and diseases that are characteristic of the nightshade family.
«Trinidad Small Cherry»
The culture is considered super early – peppers can be eaten as early as 70 days after the seeds hatch. Bushes grow powerful and sprawling, their height often exceeds 0,8 meters.
By their appearance, the fruits resemble cherries – they have the same round shape and a small diameter – about 2 cm. The taste of peppers is also rich in cherry notes. On each bush grows a lot of bright orange or scarlet peppercorns.
“Indian elephant”
These peppers are mildly spicy, have a rich paprika aroma and a pleasant taste. Bushes are considered high – their height often exceeds 130 cm, branches are sprawling. Plants need to be tied up, and it is better to grow in a greenhouse.
The shape of the fruit is proboscis, the peppers are slightly drooping. At maturity, the fruits are bright red, divided into two chambers with testicles. The wall thickness is approximately 1,5 mm, the mass of each pepper is about 30 grams.
If you grow the variety “Indian Elephant” in a greenhouse, you can get up to two kilograms of crop from every meter of land.
Taste characteristics allow this variety to be used as a seasoning, an ingredient for any dish or sauce.
“Miracle of the Moscow Region”
A very productive variety, giving up to four kilograms of peppers per square meter. Bushes grow tall, with powerful side shoots and few leaves.
The fruits themselves are cone-shaped, drooping, their surface is smooth and shiny. The length of the fetus can be up to 25 cm, while the diameter is small – about 3 cm.
The mass of each pod rarely exceeds 50 grams. The walls are quite thick – up to 2 mm. This variety has an unusual specific aftertaste, a little bit of burning.
With proper care and timely watering, up to 20 peppercorns can ripen on one bush.
“Jalapeño”
The representative of one of the main types of hot pepper is the Mexican Jalapeno variety. The bushes of this plant are very high – reach one meter. Shoots are powerful and sprawling. Up to 40 fruits can ripen simultaneously on one plant.
The peppers themselves are small – their length is not more than 10 cm. The shape of the fruit is barrel-shaped, slightly elongated. At first, the peppercorns are colored dark green, but as they ripen, they turn bright red.
“Habanero”
There are several varieties of this variety: there are red, yellow, orange, pink and chocolate peppers. A distinctive feature of the variety is rumpled fruits. Their shape is a cone.
Peppers grow small – the mass of one will be only 15 grams. But on each plant, up to a hundred fruits can ripen at the same time.
The taste of the fruits of this variety is also very unusual – they have strongly pronounced fruity notes mixed with strong pungency and pungency.
“Astrakhansky 147”
This variety is considered mid-season and high-yielding. It is quite possible to grow it in open ground, but in the northern regions of the country it is still better to use a film or agrofibre.
The fruits do not ripen at the same time, which provides the farmer with a regular harvest of fresh peppers. The height of the bush is small (up to 50 cm), the plants are not sprawling, semi-standard. With proper care from one meter of land planted with this variety, it will be possible to collect up to 3,5 kg of burning fruits.
The shape of the peppercorns is a cone. The location is drooping, the color is green at first, gradually turning into scarlet.
The surface of the fruit is smooth and shiny, the walls are thin. The mass of each pod is only 10 grams, and the length is 6 cm. Therefore, the variety can be used for harvesting hot peppers for future use – dried and ground into powder.
“Cayenne Red”
The plants of this variety are very tall – more than 150 cm. They must be tied up, so it is better to grow them in a closed greenhouse.
Each bush is “decorated” with many pods – up to 40 peppercorns can ripen on one plant. The shape of the fruit is an elongated cone. Their length reaches 12 cm, but the diameter is very small – about 1,5 cm.
The surface of the fruit is glossy, green at first, after biological maturation – rich red. The taste of the fruit is moderately spicy.
Which varieties are more suitable for the domestic climate
Almost all varieties of hot pepper can be planted in open ground. The exceptions are exotic species, hybrids of foreign selection and tall peppers that need to be tied up.
Information about how to grow the crop is easy to find on the bag of seeds, the degree of sharpness of the pods (SHU) is also indicated there. You need to use hot pepper for food with extreme caution: in small doses, this vegetable is very useful for the human body, but excessive consumption of spicy fruits can lead to various diseases and pathologies.
