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The cultivation of sweet bell peppers has long ceased to be the exclusive prerogative of the inhabitants of the southern regions. Many gardeners in the middle lane, as well as in such regions with unstable weather conditions in summer as the Urals and Siberia, boldly take up planting sweet pepper bushes not only in greenhouses, but often in open ground, covering them from adverse conditions with a variety of protective non-woven materials. Harvest forecasts will be especially favorable in such conditions for early maturing varieties and hybrids of pepper. And in this sense, the earlier the fruits ripen, the more promising this kind of pepper becomes for Siberia, where the summer months can be quite warm, but very short-lived.
In the last decade, a hybrid pepper variety from Holland, Gypsy, has gained noticeable popularity. This hybrid has many attractive qualities, and above all, super early ripening. Although, according to gardeners' reviews, Gypsy F1 pepper has some drawbacks, but, apparently, the number of its advantages clearly outweighs the scale, since the hybrid continues to be popular not only among professionals and farmers, but also among ordinary gardeners and summer residents.
Description of the hybrid
Pepper Gypsy F1, a detailed description of which you can find later in the article, was bred at the beginning of the 21st century in the Netherlands. In 2007, it was officially entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia for cultivation in all regions of our country both in open ground and under film or polycarbonate shelters. In Russia, its seeds are distributed by Siemens (Monsanto) and can be found in the packaging of some seed companies, such as Seeds of Altai, Lita Chernozemye, Agros and others.
Gypsy pepper belongs, one might say, to the ultra-early ripening varieties of sweet peppers. According to the originator, the first fruits at the stage of technical maturity can be harvested as early as 85-90 days after germination. In the characteristics and descriptions of the hybrid variety of Gypsy pepper, one can also find such a figure - the ripening of the fruits begins 65 days after the seedlings of the peppers are planted in a permanent place. Usually, pepper seedlings are planted in a permanent place at least at the age of two months. Therefore, there is a certain contradiction here, but what all gardeners agree in their reviews is that the gypsy pepper really ripens one of the first, and in terms of early maturity it has practically no equal.
The bushes are of medium height, semi-spreading with medium-sized green leaves. One of the main disadvantages of this hybrid is the thinness of the stems, the small foliage of the bushes, the light green color of the leaves and, in general, the rather weak-looking plant habit. However, this usually does not affect the yield. Only the Gypsy pepper bushes must be tied to the supports, despite their low height. Otherwise, the stems may break under the weight of the fruit.
The yield of this hybrid is average, which, however, is not surprising. Since most early varieties of vegetables usually do not have high yields. Their advantage lies elsewhere - their fruits ripen at a time when other vegetables are just moving from the flowering stage to fruit setting. An average of 3.8 to 4.2 kg of fruit is harvested from one square meter of gypsy pepper plantings. That is, about 10-12 peppers are formed on one bush.
The Gypsy hybrid is resistant to many troubles that annoy pepper plants during their growth and development, including many fungal and viral diseases. The originator specifically notes the special resistance of Jeepsie to the tobacco mosaic virus.
Description of pepper fruits
The following characteristics can be observed in the fruit of gypsy pepper:
- The shape of growth in peppers is drooping, but the shape of the fruits themselves can be attributed to the Hungarian type, that is, it is classic, conical.
- The skin is quite thin, but dense and glossy.
- The thickness of the fruit walls is on average small, about 5-6 mm, although according to some reviews it can reach up to 8 mm.
- The fruits themselves are not particularly large in size, they reach 13-15 cm in length, and the size of the widest part of the cone is 6 cm. The mass of one peppercorn is on average 100-150 grams.
- The number of seed chambers is 2-3.
- Experts estimate the taste of peppers as excellent. They are juicy, sweet, without the slightest hint of bitterness and very fragrant.
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The fruits at the initial stage of ripening are colored in a delicate light yellow hue, which resembles the color of ivory. The similarity is further enhanced by the waxy bloom that is on the outside of the fruit.
- In the process of maturation, the color of the peppers darkens and at the stage of biological maturity they become an even red color. Due to early maturity, most of the fruits have time to completely color even on the bushes and do not require ripening even in the rather northern regions of the country.
- The use of gypsy peppers is universal. Due to their small size, it is convenient to preserve them whole, as well as freeze, putting the incised fruits into each other.
- They are delicious fresh, as well as additives in various first and second courses. From the dried fruits, you can make paprika - a wonderful universal vitamin seasoning for the winter.
- Gypsy peppers keep well, as their rather dense skin protects them from drying out.
- They are also able to withstand transportation over long distances.
Growing features
Early ripening pepper Gypsy can be sown on seedlings at different times, depending on where you are going to grow it in the summer and when you can plant it in a permanent place. If you have a good greenhouse and you can plant seedlings there without fear of frost already at the end of April - in May, then you can sow seeds at the usual time - at the end of February, beginning of March. In this case, starting from June, you will be able to harvest the fruits of the Jeepsie hybrid. By the way, fruiting in favorable conditions can last for a very long time - for several months.
If you have the opportunity to grow pepper only in open ground or live in such a climatic zone that peppers can even be planted in a greenhouse no earlier than June, then it makes sense to sow the seeds of this hybrid for seedlings not earlier than the end of March - early April.
According to gardeners, Gypsy pepper is especially bad for picking and replanting. To avoid disturbing the roots as much as possible, it is best to sow the seeds of this hybrid in separate pots. Sowing in peat tablets would be a good option, especially since its seeds are quite expensive.
Seedlings of Gypsy peppers, like adult plants, do not look very powerful. Even with balanced feeding, you are unlikely to achieve violent dark greens from it. But that is the hallmark of this hybrid and shouldn't bother you.
In a permanent place, Gypsy pepper is planted with a density of no more than 5-6 plants per square meter. It is advisable to tie up the bushes immediately so as not to disturb the plants during flowering and fruiting.Top dressing and watering are standard and necessary procedures for the care of these plants. On hot days, pepper bushes should be slightly shaded from the scorching sun or planted a little in partial shade, since there are few leaves on the bushes and plants with fruits can get sunburn.
If all the agrotechnical care work was carried out correctly, then, as a rule, gipsy pepper does not need additional treatments against pests and diseases.
Reviews of gardeners
Gardeners generally speak well of gypsy pepper, although there are many complaints about the appearance of the bushes.
Conclusion
Gypsy pepper is able to interest all those who are not allowed by weather conditions to grow full-fledged, thick-walled, but ripening varieties for a long time. With it, you will always be with the harvest, and even at the time when the bulk of the peppers will still be preparing for fruiting.
