Content
Pepper lovers know that this culture is divided into types according to the degree of pungency of the fruit. Therefore, you can grow sweet peppers, acute and peninsular. The main criterion for determining the species is the content of capsaicin, a hot alkaloid, in peppers. To find out which species the desired variety belongs to, use the Wilbur Scoville scale. This is an American pharmaceutical scientist who developed a test to determine the hotness of peppers. His surname was taken to mean the unit of capsaicin content. The higher the Scoville number, the hotter the pepper variety. When choosing a variety, you should pay attention to the value on the Scoville scale.
Semi-hot peppers have the distinctive ability to produce a high yield of fruit with thick walls.
Most often they are consumed fresh. They are also suitable for pickling, smoking, preparation. Such varieties are rarely dried. Thick walls require special conditions for good drying. But when added to sauces, seasonings or dishes - this is an unsurpassed aroma and taste. It is not difficult to grow plants, the main thing is to adhere to some recommendations:
- All peppers have a long growing season. To grow crops on time, you need to sow seeds for seedlings early. Already at the end of January, many gardeners begin sowing pepper. It is good to use the advice of the lunar calendar - this will help you choose auspicious days.
- The seeds of this culture take a long time to germinate. Therefore, at first, pre-sowing seed treatment is carried out and fertile soil is prepared. Another important criterion is temperature. In the cold, seeds will germinate even longer.
- Agricultural conditions. Seedlings should be planted in the ground no earlier than the temperature rises to 15 degrees. In cold regions, peppers are grown only in greenhouses. Pods ripen earlier than spicy varieties.
Consider the description and photo of the semi-hot pepper variety.
Choosing the best varieties
A description and photo of an adult plant or fruit will help not to make a mistake with the choice. So, it will be easier to determine which variety is suitable for the site and matches the request. Plants are tall or short, spreading or not. The color and size of the fruit also matters. Having picked the right variety, it will be pleasant to harvest and prepare meals. Attention should be paid to both domestic varieties and representatives of foreign selection.
"Lightning Red F1"
Mid-early hybrid of semi-hot pepper. The harvest can be obtained 110 days after germination. It is recommended to grow in open ground and in film shelters. The bush is spreading, high - up to 115 cm. The fruits are drooping, long, in the form of a narrow cone. The pods change color from greenish white to dark red. The mass of one reaches 130 g. The peculiarity of the variety is a sharp partition, which gives a piquancy to the taste of the fruit. Valued for:
- high productivity;
- decorative appearance;
- nutritional value;
- rich aroma.
Seeds germinate at a soil temperature of at least 23 ° C.
"Lightning black F1"
Medium early hybrid of pepper with a semi-sharp taste. Can be grown in greenhouses and outdoors. The bush is spreading and tall. An adult plant reaches a height of 125 cm. The crop yields in 115 days. The fruit is a long drooping narrow cone. The color of the pods ranges from dark purple to dark red or black. Wall thickness - 5 mm, weight - up to 120 g. The sharp septum of the fruit gives piquancy. It has good resistance to diseases and unfavorable climatic conditions. An effective decorative variety, it can serve as an original decoration of the table and site. Fruiting is long and abundant.
"Indian elephant"
Medium variety for cooking and canning use. Grows well in any soil. Sprawling, tall bush. The plant grows up to 2 m in height, but can grow without tying. Fruits are large, drooping, proboscis with slight wrinkling and semi-sharp taste. They have a strong aroma. The color changes from light green to dark red. The mass of one pod is 25 g, the wall thickness is 2 mm. The main advantages of pepper:
- excellent seed germination;
- large-fruited;
- unpretentiousness.
The yield per square meter is 3.5 kg.
"Santa Fe Grande"
Semi-sharp variety, obtuse conical pods. The bush is low, up to 60 cm, strong. The color of the fruit varies from yellow to orange-red. Fruiting is constant. It is grown in seedlings. Requires top dressing during flowering and ripening of fruits. Seeds germinate at a temperature of 20-30 ° C, the distance between adult plants must be kept at a size of 45 cm. It is recommended to grow in a closed ground.
"Mulato Isleno"
The variety belongs to the Poblano type, but with less pungency, more juiciness and softness. The fruits are very beautiful in the shape of a small heart. During the ripening period, they change color from dark green to brown. The peppercorns reach a length of 15 cm and a width of 7 cm. This is one of three varieties that is included in the recipe for making Mole sauce. It is grown in seedlings indoors. The crop is harvested 95-100 days after germination. Landing pattern 45 cm. Requires maximum illumination.
"Numex Suave Orange"
An amazing pepper that tastes like habanero without its hot spiciness. Specially bred by New Mexico breeders so that those who cannot consume Habanero can experience its extraordinary taste. In the title, the Spanish word "Suave" is translated as soft, gentle. The fruits have an amazing taste with citrus notes and apricot aroma. The plant is vigorous, gives a high yield. The fruits of semi-hot peppers ripen in 115 days. Loves good lighting, it is recommended for growing in any soil.
In addition to the varieties considered, you should pay attention to such semi-hot peppers as Goldfinger, Yellow Flame, Golden Lightning". These varieties will delight you with beautiful yellow fruits with a pleasant slightly spicy taste.
