An unusual variety with purple fruits - “Big Daddy” pepper and the nuances of its cultivation

What type of pepper is this?

Big daddy is suitable for growing in central Russia. Peppers are planted both in open beds and under film covers. It is unpretentious in care and has high and stable productivity.

Characteristics and description of the variety

The bushes of the variety are low-growing, maximum height 0.5 m. The leaves are small, round, with a slight purple tint. The variety is early ripening, ripens in 90-100 days from planting.

Fruit characteristics and yield

The fruits are small, cone-shaped. The weight of the vegetable varies from 100 to 120 g, the diameter is about 10-15 cm. The walls are of average thickness 5-7 mm. The color is dark cherry, the peel is smooth. The pulp is juicy and sweet in taste, which is why pepper is actively used in cooking. With proper care, gardeners with 1 sq. m they collect about 7 kg of tasty and beautiful fruits.

Interesting ! 100 g of bell pepper contains only 25 kcal. The vegetable is rich in fiber, iodine, fluorine and iron. B vitamins, which are found in large quantities in sweet peppers, help fight stress, prevent insomnia, and relieve fatigue. Vitamins P and C strengthen the walls of blood vessels and activate the liver.

Description and characteristics of the Big Papa variety

Moscow agro breeders worked on the creation of the Big Papa pepper variety. At the beginning of the 21st century, they developed a whole line of sweet bell pepper varieties called Big. Big Papa pepper differs from other varieties of this line in the unusual color of the fruit, thanks to which it looks very exotic in the garden.

Did you know? Just 40 g of sweet pepper contains the daily requirement of vitamin C for an adult.
Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the Big Papa pepper:

1. The plant is compact, the height of the bush does not exceed 50 cm.
2. The stems are spreading and covered with a moderate number of large leaves that have a slight purple tint.
3. The bushes bloom with small blue flowers.
4. The variety belongs to the early ripening varieties. The harvest can be harvested 96–104 days after the appearance of green shoots.
5. The fruits are cone-shaped and medium in size. Their length is about 8 cm, and their width is up to 5 cm. The vegetables are placed drooping on the stems.
6. After reaching technical maturity, peppers are purple in color. Biological maturity occurs later, at this stage the vegetables acquire a dark cherry color.
7. The weight of one pepper ranges from 90 to 120 g. The walls of the fruit are dense, up to 7 mm thick.
8. Big Daddy peppers have a sweet taste and no bitterness. Ripe fruits are very juicy and have a pleasant aroma that persists even after heat treatment.
9. The plant is immune to bacterial rot and tobacco mosaic.

Preparation for cultivation

Preparation for growing Big Daddy bell peppers consists of several procedures. Let's look at each in detail:

1. Seed preparation. It is recommended to purchase seeds only from trusted stores, paying attention to the expiration date of the material and the integrity of the packaging. Seeds are disinfected at home by heating: place them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for 40 minutes at a temperature of 180 °C. Another method of disinfection is soaking in a solution of succinic or boric acid. Disinfection destroys pathogenic microflora on the surface of seeds and protects seed material from diseases.
2. Preparing beds in the garden. Pepper prefers sunny and loose beds. At the end of October, the ground is carefully dug up, getting rid of debris and plant remains. Feed with peat or humus, per 1 sq. m consume 1.5 liters of fertilizer. With the arrival of spring, the soil is dug up again, getting rid of leaves and large lumps. The beds are leveled with a rake and watered with liquid mullein infusion.

The best predecessors for planting peppers are onions, herbs or legumes. It is not recommended to plant peppers after tomatoes or potatoes. Compliance with the rules of crop rotation prevents the appearance of weeds and pests.

Growing tips from experienced vegetable growers

Experienced vegetable growers note the simple agricultural technology for growing Big Daddy sweet peppers and its high, stable yield. The variety is suitable for the Moscow region and more northern regions.

When to sow seedlings

Big Daddy peppers are grown traditionally by planting seedlings. Seeds should be processed and sown at the end of January or beginning of February. More accurately, for each region, it can be calculated using the formula: 14 days for germination + 70-75 days must pass before transplanting into the ground.

The seeds should be soaked in a solution of the disinfectant “Fitosporin” or home remedies: potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide. After 1-2 hours in a disinfecting environment, all fungi and bacteria on the seeds will die.

You can speed up germination and activate the rise of seedlings using growth stimulants: Agat, Immunocytophyte, Novosil. The proportions of the solution and the exposure time are indicated on the packaging of each product. They should be followed.

The seeds are sown in loose nutritious soil to a depth of 2-3 cm. The film will help maintain the required microclimate. Cover it with it, pressing it tightly on the sides. Remove when the first “hooks” of sprouted seeds appear. The temperature should be 26-28 degrees.

How many days do the seeds take to germinate?

Big Daddy pepper seeds hatch 8-15 days after sowing. Germination rate 90% or more. They dive when the first true leaf appears. Pepper does not like transplanting and may be sick for several days. Treatment with Epin will help speed up the recovery process.

At home, not a lot of pepper is planted. You can reduce transplants by sowing the seeds directly into cups. Germination is good, there will be practically no empty containers.

When 2 leaves are formed and the stem is visible between them, its upper part is cut off. This will slow down the development a little, and the ovary will appear a few days later. But as a result of such pinching, 2 full-fledged stems are formed, instead of one. The bush turns out to be straggly and dense. Productivity for open ground increases up to 80%.

When and at what distance to plant in the ground

It is recommended to plant seedlings in the ground 70-75 days after seed germination. Additional roots are not formed on the trunks of the crop. You can deepen the stem as far as possible to the place where the cotyledon leaves are formed.

Experts have noticed that when pepper seedlings are buried during planting, their yield is significantly reduced.

Big Daddy peppers are planted quite densely, 5-6 roots per 1 m2. The distance between the bushes is 35 cm, the row spacing is 50 cm.

After planting, each bush should be watered. The next day - evening, treat with Epin.

Ripening period

The first fruits can be harvested 96-104 days after emergence. In the middle zone and southern regions this is the end of May - beginning of June.

Watering

The roots of the pepper do not go deep, 3-7 cm. They are located parallel to the surface of the earth. Therefore, abundant watering will be unnecessary. Watering should be done moderately, regularly, at the root. The best option is drip irrigation.

When moisture gets on the leaves, the growth of the bush is inhibited. If it is not possible to pour only on the ground, you should water no later than 17-18 hours. Before darkness sets in, the sun should evaporate all the moisture from the bush.

What and when to feed

10-14 days after planting in the ground, peppers are fed with nitrogenous fertilizers. Then they switch to nitrogen-phosphorus and complex ones. When the fruits begin to grow, the fertilizing changes, and nitrogenous components are eliminated.

Lovers of natural remedies feed peppers with herbal infusions every 2 weeks. Dandelion, burdock, and nettle are poured under the root. Irrigate with infusion of onion peels. Also included in the diet of bushes is a solution of hydrogen peroxide and yeast.

Should I dive?

To obtain a bountiful harvest, it is necessary to form a bush. At the seedling stage, the central stem is removed. It is cut just above the second full leaf. Then, instead of one, 2 stems will grow.

With the appearance of the first buds, the “crown” flower (the first one on the stem) is removed. By sacrificing one ovary, the gardener ends up with more ovaries and the fruits grow larger.

Diseases and pests

The hybrid variety Big Papa F1 has good immunity to diseases characteristic of nightshades. But the history of cultivation suggests that prevention does not hurt.

To avoid damage by ticks, fungi and bacteria, it is necessary to weed and remove the grass in a timely manner. Aphids breed on the weeds, and slugs grow underneath them. They switch to vegetable crops in the garden.

Infusion of ash, dry mustard, and powdered tobacco help against slugs. Experienced gardeners and gardeners use instant coffee. You should take the cheapest drink. It contains the most flavors and preservatives. Dissolve 2-3 teaspoons in a liter of water and spray the bushes and soil between them.

Growing seedlings

The seedling method speeds up adaptation to adverse weather conditions. It is prepared 50 days before planting the seeds in the ground.

Planting pepper

Plant peppers in any convenient container. These can be cut plastic bottles, thick bags and even eggshells. An excellent container for Big Daddy peppers is seedling boxes with drainage holes. They are made of wood or plastic. In the store it is not difficult to choose the size of the box that is suitable for a specific window sill. It is convenient to care for the sprouts in the box; all the seedlings are nearby. If necessary, all peppers are transferred to another place. The recommended height of the box is at least 8 cm.

The distance between seedlings should be at least 7 cm. Small grooves 1 cm deep are made in the soil using a pencil. 2-3 disinfected seeds are placed in each hole, sprinkled with earth on top and watered with warm water. To create a greenhouse effect, seedlings are covered with polyethylene or thin glass. Remove the shelter after 2 weeks, when the first shoots appear.

Seedling care

Sweet pepper seedlings need warmth and sunlight, so the best place for them is a windowsill. Care consists of timely watering and fertilizers. Water the seedlings once every five days; it is recommended to use warm water from the filter.

Cold tap water increases the risk of dangerous germs growing. Peppers are fertilized 15 days after planting. The first feeding is liquid organic matter, for example, bird droppings or mullein. The next time the seedlings are fed is another two weeks later. To accelerate growth, stimulants are used - the drugs “Kornevin” or “Heteroauxin”.

Important ! If the seedlings grow in small cups or pots, two weeks after planting they are plucked, that is, planted in a larger container. Picking gives the roots more space to grow and develop. The sprouts are carefully placed in a container with soil, sprinkled on all sides and patted down.

Early ripening pepper variety "Big Girl": characteristics and cultivation

Bell peppers are one of the favorite vegetables of many people from different countries. The passion for the sweet and juicy fruit also came to Russia, where over time they began to develop varieties for cultivation in its characteristic climatic conditions. One of these varieties was the Big Girl pepper. It is worth noting an interesting feature that the variety has its own so-called “relatives”, consisting of the varieties: “Big Mom”, “Big Dad” and “Big Boy”. True, the fruits of these varieties differ in color. But judging by the numerous positive reviews, it was “Big Girl” that won the hearts of amateur gardeners due to its taste. In this article, you will be able to get acquainted with the “Big Girl” pepper variety by photo and description, find out what its yield is and reviews from gardeners and summer residents, find out the features of its cultivation, both in the ground and in a greenhouse.

Description of the “Big Girl” variety and its advantages

The “Big Girl” pepper variety is an early ripening variety, intended for cultivation in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. It takes about 100-115 days from the appearance of sprouts to the ripening of fruits, depending on weather conditions. The height of the bushes reaches an average of 50-70 cm. The fruits are large in size, trapezoid in shape, have a bright orange color, thick shiny and smooth skin. Big Girl peppers are fleshy and juicy, with a pleasant aroma and excellent sweet taste. The variety is high-yielding, since 8-10 fruits are simultaneously set on one plant. Each fruit weighs 150-200g, which makes it possible to harvest 7-8 kg from 1 sq.m., that is, from 3-4 bushes.

Advantages of the Big Girl variety:

• early ripeness;
• high productivity;
• large fruits;
• excellent taste;
• unpretentious variety to grow;
• possibility of long-term storage and transportation;
• used both fresh and for preservation;
• disease resistant.

Harvesting seedlings from Big Girl pepper seeds

To grow Big Girl peppers, it is recommended to prepare seedlings in advance. To obtain healthier and stronger plants, it is recommended to soak pepper seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate or in aloe juice

Seeds for seedlings are usually planted in early March, in soil mixed with sawdust and wood ash, since it is important for peppers to be planted in loose soil. Seeds are immersed 1 cm, covered with soil and sprayed with water.

It is better to cover the container with already planted seeds with a film or plastic lid to maintain the required humidity (approximately 70%). The first shoots appear on days 12-15. Then it is necessary to pick so that each plant can develop its own strong root system.

Pepper sprouts are transplanted into separate forms with a drainage hole. The picking is done very carefully so as not to damage the roots.

In order for the picking to be successful and for less disturbance to the plant, the seedlings are moved along with part of the soil into a separate form of already moistened soil. Upon completion of picking, the forms with seedlings are placed in a warm, bright place. The soil around the sprouts is moistened again; for this it is better to use a sprayer. To create the most comfortable conditions, additional artificial lighting will be required. 10 days after picking, the seedlings are fed with a solution of water with urea and superphosphate, which will have a beneficial effect on the formation of plants.

Planting in the garden and further care

10 days before planting in the garden, reduce the number of waterings, and stop completely a week. You can tell that peppers are ready for planting by their characteristic feature: the sprouts have 8-11 leaves and developed flowers. The best time for the procedure is early morning or evening, when there is no sun. The optimal distance between bushes is 50 cm - thick planting will lead to the development of diseases. The seedlings are watered abundantly, each bush is carefully removed from the container and placed in the prepared hole.

The basis of any plant care is regular and proper watering. The water temperature should be at least +20 °C; the beds should be moistened once every 5-7 days. About 1.5 liters of water are consumed per bush. The stream is directed directly to the root, bypassing the stems and leaves. This protects the bushes from fungi and viruses. Some summer residents install a drip irrigation system on their property. It is convenient because the water goes directly into the root system, while the moisture consumption is several times less than with manual watering.

It is impossible to grow a rich harvest without timely feeding and fertilizers. The procedure is carried out two weeks after disembarkation and then at intervals of 2-3 weeks.

To fertilize Big Daddy peppers use:

• solution based on dry wood ash;
• liquid mullein, urea, bird droppings;
• ammonium nitrate;
• superphosphate.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

Growing in a greenhouse has its own rules. Before planting, the walls of the structure are wiped with a solution based on potassium permanganate to destroy dangerous microbes . They begin to form a plant as soon as the stems branch. Only the powerful and strong are left, and the weak are removed.

It is recommended to monitor the amount of fertilizer applied. If the leaves turn yellow and become dry, it means that the gardener applied too much mineral fertilizer. If the plant gains growth and green mass, but does not bloom, this indicates an excess of nitrogen; dry and weak stems - excess phosphorus. Abundant watering with warm water and dusting the bushes with wood ash will help correct the situation.

Typical diseases and pests

If crop rotation rules are not followed, wireworms appear in pepper beds. The pest lives underground and feeds on the roots of the plant, causing it to stop growing. If measures are not taken in time, the bush itself begins to wither and the fruits become deformed. Professional products “Maxim” or “Oxychom” help to get rid of a thick brown worm.

In addition to wireworms, peppers are negatively affected by:

1. Colorado potato beetles, the cause of which lies in contaminated soil. Beetles and their larvae can destroy the entire crop. They get rid of them using the drug “Typhoon”.
2. Thrips appear at the stage of bush formation. They feed on plant juice and nectar, depriving them of nutrients for further development. For prevention, spray with Bordeaux mixture.
3. Whiteflies —miniature white midges—gather in flocks on leaves. Sprays based on milk and iodine help in the fight against whiteflies.

Late blight poses a particular danger. The fungus appears due to excessive heat, temperature changes, and improper watering. Late blight appears in the form of yellow and brown spots on the leaves and stem. The fungus is dangerous both for open ground and for greenhouses. To combat late blight, spray with manganese or water with wood ash.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of the Big Dad variety include a sweet and juicy taste, dense pulp, attractive and original appearance. Due to its small size, peppers are great for preparing stuffed appetizers and are used as an ingredient for winter preparations and pickles. The crop is grown in open ground or in greenhouses; caring for the vegetable does not require special knowledge and skills.

Interesting ! Bell pepper goes well with meat, fish and poultry, and harmonizes with the taste of other vegetables. A particularly original taste is obtained if you cook Big Daddy peppers on the grill. The vegetable will acquire a beautiful roasted appearance and a piquant aroma. You can cook peppers both at the dacha and at home, on a home grill. Aromatic spices and herbs, as well as balsamic or wine vinegar, will help add zest.

Minus: Big daddy is suitable for cultivation only in central Russia. In the conditions of the Urals and Siberia, pepper shows low yield. In addition, the vegetable has average immunity to diseases and pests.

Harvesting and application

The first harvest is usually carried out in early July when the vegetables reach technical maturity. This is necessary so that the bush has enough strength to grow another portion of fruits and ensure their ripening.

Important! At technical maturity, vegetables are purple in color, but during storage they ripen and can change to burgundy.

The second portion of ripe fruits is collected after they reach their biological maturity and acquire a dark cherry color. This must be done before frost sets in.

The collected vegetables can be used to prepare:

• fresh salads;
• hot dishes;
• frozen preparations;
• canned salads, snacks.

The Big Papa pepper variety will not only delight you with a bountiful harvest and excellent taste characteristics of vegetables, but will also decorate your garden bed thanks to its unusual color and beautiful shape of the fruit. To do this, it is enough to follow all the recommendations described above and take the necessary actions to prevent the occurrence of diseases and pests.

Reviews

What do other gardeners say about Big Daddy peppers? Here are a few reviews from popular online forums.

Alisa, Volgograd: “I love everything unusual, so I decided to plant a Big Papa pepper. The harvest exceeded all my expectations! I collected 10 kg of pepper from the garden! The whole family loved this beautiful dark cherry vegetable.”

Maria, Orel: “I’m planting the Big Dad variety for the third time. I prefer to grow it in a greenhouse to protect it from bad weather. The variety does not cause any trouble; there is no need to tie up or pluck the bushes. I use the harvest to prepare salads and side dishes, and freeze the remaining peppers for the winter.”

Pavel, Penza: “On the recommendation of a neighbor, I planted Big Daddy last year. I planted seedlings and observed all sowing dates. However, the peppers did not take root well in the garden and slowly gained weight and color. I was disappointed because I was hoping for a different result.”