Content
According to reviews and photos, Kakadu pepper attracts with its large weight, unusual shape and sweet taste. The variety is suitable for growing in greenhouses and film shelters. The plantings are provided with the necessary temperature regime, watering and feeding.
Botanical description
Characteristics and description of the Kakadu pepper variety:
- mid-season variety;
- 130-135 days pass from the emergence of sprouts to harvest;
- height up to 1.5 m;
- sprawling bush.
The fruits of the Kakadu variety have a number of features:
- weight up to 500 g;
- elongated, slightly curved shape;
- rich red or yellow color;
- length up to 30 cm;
- wall thickness 6-8 mm;
- aromatic, sweet pulp;
- yield per bush - up to 3 kg.
The Kakadu variety is used fresh for preparing first courses, side dishes, salads and snacks. It is added to homemade preparations when pickling, lecho and sauces.
Fruits can be picked green until maturity. In this case, the storage time will be about 2 months. After harvesting, it is recommended to process the crop as soon as possible.
Getting seedlings
The Kakadu variety is grown in seedlings. The seeds are planted in containers at home. For the development of seedlings, a certain temperature regime, watering and feeding are required. Grown peppers are transferred to a greenhouse or greenhouse.
Preparing for landing
The seeds of the Kakadu variety are planted at the end of February. First, the planting material is placed in a damp cloth and kept warm for 2 days. This increases the germination of seeds and stimulates the emergence of sprouts.
The soil for planting the Kakadu variety is prepared in the fall by combining certain components:
- compost - 2 parts;
- coarse sand - 1 part;
- country land - 1 part;
- wood ash - 1 tbsp. l.
The resulting soil mixture is calcined in an oven or microwave. It is allowed to use purchased soil intended for growing peppers. The treated soil is placed in containers, its surface is leveled and planting is started.
The seeds are buried 1.5 cm. 5 cm are left between them. When using boxes, the Kakadu variety requires a pick. Planting seeds in peat pots will help to avoid it.
Crops of the Kakadu variety are watered and covered with foil or glass. Seeds germinate actively at temperatures above 20 degrees.
Seedling conditions
After germination, the Kakadu peppers are rearranged to a lighted place. In the daytime, the temperature is maintained at 26-28 degrees, at night, 10-15 degrees are enough for seedlings.
The soil should receive moderate moisture. Excess moisture provokes the spread of diseases and decay of the root system. Its deficiency also negatively affects the peppers, leading to wilting and curling of the leaves.
The Kakadu seedlings provide access to light for 12 hours. If necessary, install artificial lighting.
When 2 leaves appear in plants, they are transplanted in separate containers. Before being transferred to the greenhouse soil, the peppers are fed twice:
- after a pick or the formation of 2 sheets;
- 14 days after the first feeding during the formation of 3 leaves.
For seedlings, use the liquid fertilizer Agricola, Fertika or Solution.7 days before planting in the greenhouse, the peppers need to be hardened. The plantings are rearranged to a balcony or loggia, where they are left first for 2 hours, gradually the time the plants are in the fresh air is increased.
Planting peppers
The Kakadu peppers are transferred to the greenhouse 2 months after seed germination. This seedling reaches 30 cm in height, has a sturdy stem and about 12 leaves. In a greenhouse, the soil should warm up to 15 degrees, which usually happens in May.
The preparation of the greenhouse and soil begins in the fall. The soil is dug up and fertilized with organic matter. When re-digging in the spring, add 50 g of fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus and 35 g of ammonium nitrate per 1 sq. m.
No planting is performed after tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and any peppers. Crop rotation avoids soil depletion and the spread of disease.
For the peppers, prepare holes 12 cm deep. Leave 40 cm between the plants.If several rows are organized, leave 80 cm. It is most convenient to place the plants in a checkerboard pattern to avoid thickening and facilitate planting maintenance.
Kakadu peppers are transferred along with an earthen clod into prepared holes. The soil under the plants is compacted and mulched with peat.
Care scheme
According to reviews and photos, Kakadu pepper gives a high yield with constant care. The peppers need watering, fertilization, and bush formation. To prevent the plant from breaking under the weight of the fruit, it is tied to a support.
Watering the peppers
The Kakadu variety needs constant watering. Moisture is brought in in the morning or evening hours. The water should settle in barrels and warm up, only after that it is used for irrigation.
Before flowering, the peppers only need to water once a week. With the formation of fruits, the intensity of moisture application is increased up to 2 times a week. Watering is stopped 10 days before harvesting the fruits.
Each plant needs 3 liters of water. To prevent crust formation after watering, loosening is imperative. In this case, it is important not to damage the plant roots.
For large planting areas, drip irrigation is organized. A uniform flow of moisture occurs through the pipes.
Top dressing
The first feeding of the Kakadu variety is performed a couple of weeks after transfer to greenhouse conditions. To do this, take bird droppings, which are diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20. When using mullein, the proportion is 1:10. Each plant needs 1 liter of fertilizer.
During the flowering period, plantings are sprayed with a solution based on boric acid (4 g of substance per 2 liters of water). To attract pollinating insects, 200 g of sugar is added to the solution.
The last feeding is performed when the peppers ripen. Take 2 tsp for a bucket of water. potassium salt and superphosphate.
All solutions with minerals are applied at the root of plants. Treatment is carried out in the morning or evening, when there is no sun exposure.
Bush formation
According to its characteristics and description, the Kakadu pepper variety is tall. If you do not pinch its shoots in a timely manner, then the pepper will grow and give a small harvest.
Pepper Cockatoo is formed by removing all lateral shoots up to the first fork. By removing excess leaves, the plant will direct its forces towards fruit formation.
When pinching a bush, its leaves and branches are cut off, leaving 2 cm in length. As a result, 2-3 shoots are left. Weak branches are eliminated first.
Each pepper should have no more than 25 flowers. The rest of the buds are pinched.
Protection against diseases and pests
To protect the Kakadu variety from fungal diseases, plantings are treated with Oxyhom or Fitodoctor preparations.During the growing season, do not use products containing copper.
Peppers are attacked by aphids, spider mites, gall midges, wireworms, and bear. For pest control, insecticides Fufanon, Karbofos, Actellik are used. The drugs are used in strict accordance with the instructions.
Folk remedies are considered effective against insects: tobacco dust, infusion of garlic or onion peels. Root traps are effective against wireworm and bear.
Gardeners reviews
Conclusion
The Kakadu variety is planted indoors. This planting method is relevant in regions with difficult climatic conditions. Kakadu pepper has an unusual elongated shape, sweet taste and good yield. The culture is grown in seedlings. The pepper is looked after by watering and feeding.
