According to the ripening period, it belongs to the mid-early, the shape of the fruit is cone-shaped. Such meager information is listed in the register. However, if pepper, as a variety, has been alive for 43 years, then this variety deserves attention. Pepper “Gift of Moldova” reviews, photos, everything suggests that this variety will be popular among vegetable growers, summer residents and farmers for a long time.
What is so attractive about this variety, what does it have that is not in the other 180 registered varieties? Of course, people are quite conservative; they do not want to look for the best if something good has already been found. Moreover, when trying varieties and hybrids of local selection and imported ones in turn, sooner or later they return to the “Gift of Moldova”.
Description variety, agro technical characteristics
The plant is small, semi-standard, its height does not exceed half a meter. The habit of the plant is not very wide, but due to the short internodes, a lot of fruits are set. The fruit itself is a downward cone. Hanging on the branches, the fruits do not interfere with each other, although they are quite large when they reach full maturity. The bush perfectly withstands fruit loads due to the massiveness of the root system and the elasticity and density of the shoots.
The characteristics and description of the pepper variety “Gift of Moldova” have long been heard by experienced vegetable growers. They also give preference to this variety because of its ripening time. From the moment of germination to technical ripeness, in different zones it can take from 100 to 120 days. If most amateurs practice sowing seeds in late February, so that by March 1st there will already be shoots, then in the southern regions at the end of June it will be possible to enjoy the first fruits.
According to reviews from amateur vegetable growers, the “Gift of Moldova” pepper variety forms itself. There is no need to pinch it, trim it, tilt it, or tie it up. Summer residents also loved him for this property. Humanity is gaining ever greater speed, and we no longer want and cannot waste time on weekly shaping of the bush, and having an “independent” variety, we fully use its genetic inclinations.
“Gift of Moldova” is good for growing both in open ground and in greenhouses. Temperature changes, increases and decreases in humidity, drafts, nothing will stop growth, development, flowering and fruit set. The good adaptability of the variety made it available for cultivation in fairly large areas of the former Soviet Union, right up to the Far East.
Reviews from amateurs recommend growing “Gift of Moldova” as a balcony crop. For its cultivation, a container of five liters is enough to get a quick, early, tasty harvest.
Why is the variety interesting?
Unlike many other peppers, “Gift of Moldova” has the following advantages:
- It does not require special attention from the gardeners who cultivate it, making it suitable for industrial cultivation.
- Tolerates sudden changes in weather well.
- It is a determinant species, which means it reaches a certain height and stops growing. Its growth does not need to be artificially restrained by trimming the crown.
- It has a powerful, well-developed root system and elastic stem, thanks to which it can withstand the weight of fruits and does not need staking.
- “Independent”, that is, it does not require artificial formation of a bush by cutting leaves.
Description of fetal characteristics
If we talk about the thickness of the wall of the fruit, then there are probably quite a few knowledgeable vegetable growers who will “twist their nose” and claim that its walls are thin. Yes, the wall thickness is 4 - 6 mm, of course, there are thicker ones, but the ideal aligned cone is suitable both for stuffing and for preparing other dishes where the shape plays a major role. The size of a mature cone reaches 10 cm, and the weight is almost 70 g. The fruits at technical ripeness are green, light green, but full ripeness will delight us with bright red, beautiful, evenly distributed fruits. The flesh of the fruit is red, juicy, and even the juice of the pepper is bright red. When he cooks it with snow-white cabbage, he easily turns his partner pink.
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The taste of the fruit is simply excellent. The pleasant “crunchy”, juicy pulp has a well-defined sweetness and a delicate, barely perceptible peppery smell.
The seed capsule of the pepper is even and smooth, it is this quality that is so attractive to chefs who use peppers for stuffing.
Preparation for cultivation
Before planting, the seeds are soaked for disinfection in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for about a day.
The ground for future picking is dug up and humus is added. If the soil is heavy, add a little sand to it. Do not plant the crop in the place where tomatoes grew last year. Good predecessors are pumpkin, legumes, and cabbage.
For seedlings, soil is bought in the store or prepared independently from humus or peat, sand and turf soil.
When growing in open ground, choose a high ridge to retain heat sufficient for the root system.
Due to their peculiarity, pepper seeds may not germinate for a long time. To speed up this process, they need to be soaked for a day in a healthy solution. The preparations “Epin”, “Zircon”, “Ribav-extra” are suitable for this.
The seeds are placed in a fabric bag and placed in a preparation diluted according to the specified dosage from the manufacturer. The next day, the cloth with the seeds is placed on a saucer and watered with warm water, it is important that the pepper seeds are not immersed in water, but always remain moist. After about a few days, the seeds swell and begin to germinate. This means you can start planting.
Plant pepper seeds in a shallow container, since the plants will soon have to be replanted anyway. Make 1.5-2 cm depressions in the ground, lay out the seeds and cover them with soil. The plantings are moistened with a spray bottle and covered with cellophane film. Once a day, the cellophane is removed for half an hour to ensure good air access. If crops are not ventilated, mold may appear on the soil.
During seed germination, it is important to maintain the room temperature at least 25 degrees. Seeds that have sprouted during sowing sprout within 5-6 days. If pepper seeds are not soaked, sprouts will appear in 2-4 weeks.
Important! If the pepper seeds are green or pink in color, they cannot be soaked. The unusual color of the seeds means that the manufacturer has carried out treatment against pathogenic microorganisms and pests.
Tips for growing pepper varieties “Gift of Moldova”
Having sowed the seeds in early March, the process of growing seedlings of the “Gift of Moldova” pepper is not much different from other varieties. However, it should be noted that seedlings of this variety grow faster and quickly colonize the space around them. Stocky bushes do not want to share the territory and stretch out. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to respect spatial boundaries and not compact the seedling pots. “Gift of Moldova” tolerates coolness well, and by lowering the temperature to 16 -18ᵒ C you will prevent the seedlings from stretching.
When choosing a site for sweet peppers, you must take into account that no matter what unpretentious variety you choose, if the plantings are shaded, you will not get a harvest. In the shade of trees and buildings, pepper grows and blooms, but does not set. If you plant pepper not for bouquets, but for the harvest, then give the pepper the lightest and warmest part of the garden.
Pros and cons of the variety
Since the Gift of Moldova variety has long become an integral part of many garden plots, we can conclude that the benefits of these vegetables have helped to win the love of summer residents for a long time. Let's look at what exactly makes these plants stand out among the many varieties.
- Correct shape of vegetables.
- Average ripening period.
- Regular fruiting of the crop.
- High yield.
- The unpretentious nature of the culture and high persistent qualities.
- Resistant to fungal diseases.
- Tolerates long-term storage and transportation well.
- Suitable for commercial cultivation.
Along with the large list of advantages of the variety, it is necessary to talk about some of the existing disadvantages. Podarok Moldova peppers are inferior to their hybrid counterparts in terms of vegetable wall thickness. The plant is quite heat-loving and requires some control from the summer resident during growth.
Important advice for gardeners. Beginners may not know that tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants will be unfavorable predecessors for peppers. In a word, all plants are from the same family.
Preparing the soil and beds for planting
In terms of soil nutritional requirements, pepper is a champion. Of course, on heavy and poor soils you will get some yield, but you will be disappointed with the variety. So that you can appreciate the full genetic potential of the “Gift of Moldova” sweet pepper, prepare the bed in advance. The predecessor of pepper can be carrots, peas, onions, melons, perennial legumes, but not nightshades. The ridges are prepared in the fall, and an indispensable condition is the application of organic fertilizers. Fresh compost, humus, peat are added for autumn digging. In the spring, you can scatter stove ash and superphosphate.
If the soil acidity in your area is high, then you cannot do without liming. This agrotechnical event is also carried out in the fall, with mandatory spring cultivation.
Diseases and pests
Moldova pepper is resistant to fungal infections and parasites, the characteristics and descriptions confirm this. But if the cultivation conditions are not met, the bushes may be affected by diseases such as fusarium, gray, white, black rot, and brown spot. Fungicides are suitable for their treatment, but it is important to remove infected plant parts.
Among the pests that pose a danger to the crop are aphids, spider mites, and slugs. These parasites should be controlled using insecticides. If insects have chosen the bush at the moment of ripening of the fruits, it is better not to use chemicals, but to treat the plants with a solution made from garlic and nettles. Carry out the procedure twice with a break of a week.
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The process of planting pepper seedlings
When transplanting seedlings into open ground, you need to make sure that return frosts are not possible, otherwise the seedlings may be lost. By the time of transplantation, the seedlings should have 10-12 well-formed leaves. Having grown pepper seedlings “Gift of Moldova”, the planting scheme should be followed for greenhouses and hotbeds 40 x 50, but for open ground 50 x 50. You can also plant in a wide row with a distance between bushes of 20 -25 cm, and between rows of 50 - 60 cm. If the bed is not large, they practice planting in a checkerboard pattern; “Gift of Moldova” tolerates them quite well.
If you are planting seedlings from pots, then deepen them a few centimeters lower than they grew in the pot. If the seedlings have an open root system, then you can plant them up to the cotyledons.
Growing and care
When the seedlings reach 2 months of age (the height of the bushes is 18-20 cm), they are planted in permanent holes. The placement pattern is 50 by 40 cm. The seedlings are sprinkled with earth to the level of the cotyledon leaves.
The soil in the beds is prepared in the autumn. Based on 1 m2 you need:
- 5 kg of compost;
- 3 tbsp. l. ash;
- 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate.
In spring, an additional 2 tbsp is added to the soil. l. phosphorus-potassium mixture.
Do not fertilize pepper beds with fresh manure. This will cause the buds and ovaries to fall off.
Watering is carried out with a frequency of 1-3 times a week. The next day, loosening is recommended (once every 10 days). Organic solutions are suitable for fertilizing bushes before flowering. Diluted mullein, litter and bio-infusions are prepared.
From the moment of budding, phosphorus-potassium compounds are used. When ripe, potassium, superphosphate, Agricola, and Clean Leaf are added.
When forming, the crown flower and excess stepsons are removed. For fruiting, leave 2 trunks; the leaves are not cut off. When ripe, the first fruits are collected early, this stimulates further fruit set.
Tips for caring for peppers
The “Gift of Moldova” pepper variety is quite unpretentious, but weed removal and timely watering are mandatory agrotechnical measures.
After direct planting of seedlings in the ground, watering is carried out every other day; further water supply depends on natural precipitation. Pepper is very responsive to sprinkling. Watering should be done with warm water in the afternoon.
If the pre-planting application of fertilizers has been carried out sufficiently, then fertilizing may not be necessary. If organic fertilizers are not available in the required volumes, it is necessary to fertilize with complex mineral fertilizers. Feeding is carried out two weeks after planting the seedlings and before budding, and then every three weeks. Two weeks before harvest, fertilizing is stopped.
In order not to miss a disease outbreak or pest invasion, it is necessary to inspect bushes, buds, leaves and take timely measures.
By adhering to the agrotechnical rules for growing the “Gift of Moldova” pepper, you will be fully convinced of the merits of this high-yielding variety.
Harvest and storage
Fruiting of the bushes lasts about a month, which allows you to harvest in 4-5 passes. Cut ripe peppers using a sharp knife. It is forbidden to pull them or twist the stalk or try to pull it out.
Store peppers in the refrigerator, or you can pack the vegetables in paper and send them to an unlit room with a temperature no higher than +8 °C.
Harvesting
What are the benefits of pepper for the body?
Nutritionists, as well as people who care about their health, have long appreciated the benefits of sweet pepper for humans.
So how is pepper useful, what vitamins does it contain?
- First of all, it is ascorbic acid (vitamin C). This miraculous vitamin is indispensable for supporting strong immunity, as well as for healthy hair, teeth, gums and nails.
- Vitamin P, also called rutin, helps strengthen vascular walls, giving them tone and elasticity.
- Vitamin A, which also has a beneficial effect on the structure of hair, nails and skin.
- Vitamins B1, B2, B6 are natural antidepressants and “strengtheners” of the nervous system.
- If you regularly eat pepper, the benefit also lies in the fact that due to beta-carotene, lycopene, p-coumaric and chlorogenic acids, carcinogens are removed from the body and the occurrence of oncological processes is prevented.
- In addition, this product is often recommended by nutritionists for those who want to lose extra pounds, because (despite its name) it contains only 26-27 kilocalories per 100 grams of pulp.
Possible diseases, ways to eliminate the problem
The future sweetness of ripe peppers is often jeopardized by improper care or unfavorable weather conditions. The quality of the soil and the temperature of the water used for irrigation are of great importance.
Among the possible diseases that a variety resistant to routine “vegetable diseases” may encounter:
- white, gray, black rot;
- bronze, brown, black spotting;
- spider mite;
- aphids, slugs.
Fungicides will help get rid of unsightly spots on the dense skin of the fruit and fungal infections of the delicate structure. Experienced summer residents advise resorting to the following means to save Moldovan fruits:
- Biofungicide Mikosan-B is a product used for the treatment and prevention of diseases.
- Phytodoctor is a gentle preparation with an ecological composition. Helps improve the plant's immunity and increases its endurance.
- Ridomil Gold is a product that saves the situation even in the most advanced stages. Dangerous for humans and domestic animals.
- Trichodermin is a biological plant protector, compatible with other medicinal mixtures and fertilizers.
It is possible to eliminate the problem of frequent attacks by parasitic insects with the help of insecticides, including:
- Balazo;
- Aktara;
- Calypso;
- Decis Pro.
As a preventive measure, summer residents often use a folk recipe: garlic solution with nettles. An infusion from a prickly plant is perfect for spraying the ornate leaves of the sweet Moldavian variety.
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