Description and characteristics of the variety
Tenderness pepper bushes reach considerable sizes, sometimes they can grow up to 140 cm. The plant has a massive central stem, from which there are lush branches. Leaves are medium sized.
This variety is considered mid-early, so about 115 days pass from the moment the seeds germinate to the ripening of the fruit. But if you observe the most favorable conditions for growing the crop, then this period can be reduced to 90 days.
Did you know? The properties of sweet peppers resemble chocolate. Thanks to it, the body releases endorphins into the blood.
The abundant amount of greenery on the plant requires constant care and formation of the bush. The number of harvests also depends on this. If you let the growth of pepper take its course and do not work closely with it, you can get up to 1.5 kg of fruit from one plant. But if you decide to take proper care of the pepper and clear the bush in a timely manner, the yield can be increased to 1.9 kg, and the ripening time of the fruits will also accelerate.
Pepper Tenderness is immune to diseases and pests, but not to all. Timely pruning will help protect the plant from undesirable phenomena, thanks to which the bush will be better ventilated. But at the same time, the plant tolerates changes in weather and temperature remarkably well, and the cold does not affect it.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- adaptation to difficult northern conditions;
- cold resistance;
- endurance of shading conditions;
- stress resistance;
- stable tying and productivity;
- prolonged fruiting;
- leveled marketable yields;
- friendly maturation;
- good keeping quality (5-6 weeks);
- great taste and look.
Minuses:
- needs systematic watering and fertilizing;
- average resistance to pathogens.
Pros and cons of the variety
- Among the advantages of the variety, gardeners note the following qualities:
- the variety ripens very early;
- good taste;
- The fruits can be eaten fresh or added to various dishes. Can be preserved or frozen in winter;
- resistant to many diseases;
- the plant does not need to be tied to a support, and it is also suitable for growing both in the garden and in a greenhouse;
- delicate and juicy taste of the fruit;
- The fruits have thick walls, which makes them well suited for stuffing.
The fruits contain a large amount of vitamin C, which allows the body to receive the necessary substances to preserve youthful tissues and strengthen the immune system. The fruits of this variety help improve digestion and improve heart function.
Thanks to the vitamin composition of the fruit, this pepper can have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. If you introduce pepper into your daily diet, it will help lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure.
Optimal sowing dates and regions
Peppers should be sown in mid-February. If you decide to plant a crop in a greenhouse, then you need to sow 60–80 days before this moment. When the first 2 leaves form on the plant, then you can pick the pepper. A greenhouse accommodates no more than 6 bushes per 1 m². When the first branches begin to appear on the sides, during this period the formation of the bush can already begin.
In the years when the variety was first bred, sweet peppers could be grown exclusively in the southern climate. But, thanks to the efforts of breeders, the Tenderness variety has made it possible for gardeners in more northern regions to grow this crop. The variety is able to grow in both short and long daylight hours, withstanding temperature changes, even frost. Tolerates low temperatures well.
The unique properties of the variety allow gardeners to grow it even in risky farming areas. The manufacturer's recommendations do not indicate recommendations for growing Tenderness in the southern regions.
Important! In cold climates, it is recommended to place the bushes under a film, which will help increase the amount of harvest and help the plant better withstand changes in night and day temperatures.
This happened due to the fact that for such a climate there are many other, equally high-quality varieties. And sweet pepper Tenderness is recommended to be planted specifically in the northern regions, although in fact, it is also suitable for the warm zone.
Reviews
Pepper Tenderness has an impressive number of reviews. For example, Natalya from Borovichi writes that the crop is very productive. The variety is not picky and does not let you down even in cold summers. Raisa from the Kirov region said that the pepper is not very high. Its fruits can be consumed from mid-July, their formation continues until late autumn. Irina from Moscow was pleased with the taste of the vegetable. She noted that pepper can be eaten fresh, baked, or made into lecho.
Pepper Tenderness is one of the most popular Russian varieties. It is not inferior in yield to improved hybrids and is insensitive to weather changes.
Cultivation
This variety of pepper must be transferred to open ground only in the form of seedlings, since it requires planting at the end of February, but in our climate the ground is still too frozen.
Working with seedlings
Before sowing, the seeds must be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. And also select and throw away damaged and deformed copies. It is recommended to soak in a disinfectant solution for about 20 minutes.
Then they need to be placed on natural fabric, which is slightly soaked with clean water, and this bundle should be placed in a warm place for 17 days for the seeds to germinate. Sometimes gardeners impregnate seeds with growth stimulants.
Each seed should be planted in a separate cup or other container. The soil must be prepared in advance by adding natural fertilizers and loosening it well. You can also use Kemira Lux as a top dressing.
In order for plants to grow better already in open ground, seedlings can be periodically placed under a window for hardening. At the same time, initially such procedures should last 5 minutes, and later the time period is increased to 20 minutes.
Seedlings should be kept in growing containers for no more than 3 months. In southern areas, the crop is planted in the first half of May. In the northern regions it is better to wait until the beginning of June.
We recommend reading why bell peppers wither and shrivel in the garden.
Landing in the ground
It is worth transferring the crop into the ground after all frosts have ended, because despite the hardiness of the variety, the young growth has not yet had time to harden sufficiently and may die. Before this, it is necessary to till the soil well, loosen it, and clear it of debris. The ground temperature should be at least +15°C.
Gardeners need to remember that peppers cannot be planted in the soil on which nightshades grew. In addition, sand, humus and manure must be added to the soil. The bushes should be 40 cm apart from each other.
The leaves of the plant should not be too high above the ground surface, literally a few centimeters. After planting, the plants need to be watered.
Features of cultivation and care
Sowing of seedlings is carried out at the end of February or the first ten days of March. Shoots appear 8-16 days after planting the seeds. To accelerate germination, seed material is soaked in growth stimulants. One of the most popular drugs of this type is Epin. Recommended germination temperature is from +25 to +28 degrees.
After the emergence of mass shoots, the seedlings are moved into the ground after 60-70 days. By this age, plants are just beginning their budding period.
Per sq. m. it is recommended to place up to 5-6 plants. However, the cultivar is also suitable for thickened planting according to a 20 by 50 cm pattern.
The description of the variety states that Tenderness pepper loves light, fertile soils with a pH in the range of 6-6.5.
The plant needs regular watering every 3-4 days. The crop also needs loosening the soil after each moistening and weeding. However, many gardeners, in order to avoid the last two procedures, resort to such agricultural practices as mulching peppers with straw, agrofibre, film and other materials.
Tall bushes must be tied up. In addition, the crop requires moderate pinching, which consists of removing the side stems up to the first fork.
To obtain a richer harvest, up to 3 fertilizing per season is carried out with complex mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen or organic matter rich in these substances.
Plant care
Water the crop frequently, but you should try not to pour water on the greens. Water for irrigation should be the same temperature as the air. For better watering quality, experienced gardeners recommend making furrows between the rows into which water should be poured. Mulch helps in growing peppers. It protects plants from weeds and retains moisture.
Important! You need to be careful with the amount of moisture, since both its lack and excess can lead to the shedding of leaves, inflorescences and woodiness of the stem.
We must not forget about fertilizing. To fertilize the crop, it is recommended to dilute manure with water in a ratio of 1 to 10; you can also add fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus. But it is important not to overdo it with fertilizers.
Tenderness is a mid-season variety, which is why it is necessary to remove excess greenery from it even before forking. When the bush reaches 30 cm in height, it is recommended to pinch the plant. You can remove no more than 2 leaves from the bush, but it is recommended to leave up to 15 ovaries.
If the bush is strewn with fruits, then it is recommended to pick the peppers already in a state of technical maturity. They can ripen in a warm, dry place. It is recommended to use ripe fruits immediately for food or in dishes. It is not recommended to plant tomatoes and hot peppers next to this crop, otherwise Tenderness may cross-pollinate and become bitter.
Planting seedlings
Seedlings of the Tenderness variety are prepared in late February - early March. Plant peppers in any container, for example, plastic cups, flower pots, wooden boxes. The main thing is to thoroughly rinse the container and disinfect it with manganese before planting. Pour soil into the container, make small holes 1-2 cm deep. Place two seeds in each, sprinkle earth on top and water generously with warm, settled water. The next watering will be organized only after 7-10 days.
Grow Tenderness on a sunny windowsill. If the weather is cloudy outside, the seedlings are provided with additional lighting using fluorescent lamps or phytolamps. Lack of light causes the leaves and stems of seedlings to weaken and stop growing.
Moisten the peppers as the soil dries, approximately once every 5-6 days. It is recommended to use a pipette for watering. The optimal water temperature is 18-20°C.
If the pepper is planted in small containers, it needs to be pruned after 2-3 weeks. Picking is the process of transplanting seedlings into larger containers. Over time, the roots need more space to develop, otherwise the seedlings will stop growing. However, experienced summer residents advise planting the vegetable immediately in a large container, since during the picking process, thin and fragile roots can break.
Pests and diseases
This variety is considered one of the most resistant to diseases and pest attacks. However, it does not have absolute immunity, so it requires special care.
Most often, peppers are affected by:
- late blight;
- verticillium;
- white rot.
Did you know? Pepper is often used in cosmetology. Its extract is included in face masks that are used to cleanse the skin.
In order to protect plants from these diseases, it is necessary to apply preventive measures:
- cleaning, preparing and loosening the soil should begin in the fall;
- it is necessary to sort out the seeds and treat them with a disinfectant;
- you should try to plant peppers away from other crops;
- An important factor in maintaining the health of peppers is timely weeding, namely from the moment the first grass appears in the garden bed;
- it is strictly forbidden to water the crop with cold water;
- Wood ash is well used as a fertilizer for peppers, which can be sprinkled on the ground around the bush;
- timely removal of affected greenery.
Another danger that befalls peppers during their growth period is pests. They especially often attack plants in greenhouse conditions.
Namely, peppers are susceptible to:
- Aphids. To get rid of this insect, it is recommended to treat the bushes with insecticides.
- Slugs. They can be collected by hand or specialized traps can be placed around the perimeter of the bed. For prevention, it is good to use parsley or mustard, which are sown between the rows.
- Colorado potato beetle. It can also be collected from bushes by hand. To prevent the beetle from attacking the crop, it is not recommended to grow potatoes or tomatoes nearby.
- Spider mite. An infusion of garlic or onion with the addition of liquid soap helps get rid of this pest.
Read more about how to fight aphids on peppers in a greenhouse.
