Bulgarian pepper “Merchant”: advantages and disadvantages of the variety, nuances of cultivation to obtain a rich harvest

Description of the variety

Pepper was bred in 1998 specifically for regions with unfavorable climates. It quickly adapted and gained wide popularity among farmers throughout Russia and in other countries.

The merchant was included in the list of breeding achievements of the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2001.

Main characteristics

The crop is grown in greenhouses, open ground and even on a windowsill . Strong spreading bushes grow up to 90 cm in height, resembling dwarf trees. Dense foliage forms a lush crown with drooping stalks.

The stem and branches are thick and dense, support ripened vegetables well and do not need staking. The variety is early ripening: the period of fruit ripening from planting to technical maturity is 100–115 days.

Distinctive features

The main distinguishing feature of the Kupets bell pepper is its resistance to low temperatures and drought . The variety feels excellent both in the harsh Siberian climate and in the hot conditions of the southern regions. He is easy to care for.

Fruit characteristics, yield

The fruits ripen large, pyramidal. The mass of a medium pepper is 100 g . In a state of technical maturity, vegetables are green, while in biological maturity they are red. The pulp is thick, 4–8 mm wide, tastes sweetish, juicy, without bitterness.

With good care, high air temperatures and abundant watering, Kupets yields up to 10 kg per 1 m2 , but even in cold summer you can collect 3-4 kg per 1 m2 of land.

Important! Pepper is more resistant to transportation during the period of technical ripeness, and the shelf life of the fruit also increases.

Pepper Merchant

General description and characteristics

The Kupets pepper variety has an average bush size with a height of no more than 75-85 cm. The plant is semi-spreading with drooping fruits. The period from seedling germination to harvest is 110-115 days.

Conical fruits at technical ripeness have a light green color. When fully ripe, the color changes to red (see photo).

On average, one pepper weighs 100 grams. The largest specimens weigh up to 150 grams. All fruits are approximately the same size.

The skin of the vegetable has a glossy tint, thin but durable. The thickness of the pericarp wall is from 5 to 7 mm, the number of nests in the fetus is 2-3.

The taste of pepper is highly appreciated by consumers. It is very juicy, sweet, and has a pronounced aroma characteristic of the culture.

Peppers of the Kupets variety can be picked and eaten already at technical and blanzhe ripeness. At these stages of harvesting, they are stored longer and withstand transportation better. They do not wait for the vegetables on the bush to turn red for another good reason: this way the peppers will not take away nutrients from the newly set fruits.

Merchant has a universal purpose: it is perfect for stuffing, second and first courses, and canning. The vegetable is also very good in salads and for fresh consumption.

In open ground the yield per sq. m. is 2.5-3 kg. With proper care and cultivation under film covers, fruiting rates double.

Sweet pepper Kupets is unpretentious to weather conditions: it can withstand low temperatures and hot days.

Preparation for cultivation

Seeds are not planted immediately on the beds , otherwise they will not have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather.
Soil for seedlings is bought in specialized stores or made independently from ordinary soil, peat or sand, humus (1:1:1) and a handful of ash. Mix the components, kneading the lumps, and calcinate the mixture in the oven for 2 hours at +200 °C for disinfection. For planting, use containers with drainage holes at the bottom .
Sowing begins in February, so that by May the seedlings are ready for planting into the ground. First, the seeds are sorted, choosing large and dense ones (they will give better germination).

The best way to check planting material is to put it in a glass with a saline solution (10 g of salt per 200 ml of water). The floating seeds are removed, the ones that have sunk to the bottom are used. To protect future plants from fungi and infections, grains are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Other varieties of peppers:

Hybrid pepper "Atlant" and how it can surprise you

"Buratino": a sweet and juicy high-yielding variety

Pepper "Bogatyr" and how to grow it correctly

Storage rules

First of all, pepper is sent for storage at technical maturity and without visible external mechanical damage. We must remember that the temperature in the storage area should not exceed 12 degrees Celsius, otherwise irreversible rotting processes will begin in the pepper fruits. Air humidity should be 90%. If all these requirements are met, then the Kupets variety can be preserved until the New Year.

Therefore, you can store:

1. in the refrigerator in a special plastic container with holes for oxygen access.
2. in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer, placing each layer of pepper fruits with paper.
3. You can try to dig up a pepper bush and replant it in a bucket and, in this form, bring it into a warm room to extend its growing season.

With proper care, the Kupets variety of bell pepper will set fruit in any weather, which means that the gardener will not be left without a harvest.

Growing seedlings

Before planting in the ground, the seeds are soaked for 2-3 days . As soon as the sprouts appear, they are planted in the soil to a depth of no more than 1 cm, sprinkled with earth and watered. The containers are covered with cellophane film and placed in a warm, illuminated place (temperature not lower than +24 °C) until the first shoots hatch.

After the formation of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings are distributed into separate peat or plastic pots. Bell peppers do not like picking and may stop growing for a while. Therefore, it is better to immediately plant the sprouted seeds in individual containers of 300–400 g. First, 3 grains are deepened into one pot, and when they germinate, the largest and strongest shoot is left, the rest are pinched.

Seedlings are provided with maximum lighting for 11-12 hours and regular watering with warm water.

To harden the plants, they are periodically taken to a cooler place with a temperature of +15...+17 °C.

Planting pepper

In central Russia, peppers are transplanted into open ground no earlier than mid-May in consistently warm weather, when there is no threat of frost. They are planted in a film greenhouse in mid-April. Before picking, add a little humus to the holes to feed the plants. There are 4 sprouts per 1 m2.

The depth of the holes is made no greater than the depth of the pots in which the seedlings were located, because the crop does not develop a powerful root system. After this, the bushes are fed with mineral fertilizers for better adaptation to new conditions and watered abundantly.

Important! After planting, do not loosen the soil for 2 weeks: during this period, the root system is strengthened.

Further care

The Kupets variety loves moisture. Water it in the evening directly under the bush .
When a shoot appears from the first fork, it is pinched so that the main stem does not stretch upward, but side shoots grow and the yield increases. During the growing season, the longest shoots are trimmed and all branches below the first fork are removed.
Gardeners remove the first flower growing from the main branch to increase yield. gives good results during the flowering period . This will attract pollinating insects to the plants.

The soil is loosened and hilled in a timely manner, and weeds are removed.

After the first ovaries appear, the bushes are watered with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. During the entire growth period, this is done 2-3 times.

Attention! If before the fruits begin to ripen the soil is oversaturated with nutrients, then all the juices will go to the growth of the stem and leaves.

Rules for growing the variety

You can grow the Kupets pepper variety at home by adhering to certain rules, the observance of which will not take much time and effort.

You can achieve a large harvest on your own, even without extensive experience and special skills, the main thing is to strictly follow the instructions and take into account the characteristics of the crop:

1. When watering the variety, it is necessary to use exclusively warm and settled water, but in no case cold, otherwise this will significantly slow down the growth and development of the plant.
2. Maintain regular watering.
3. Loosen the soil and remove weeds in a timely manner.
4. Be sure to include fertilizing of pepper bushes in your care procedures and apply fertilizers according to the stages of their development: when planting seedlings, Merchant prefers fertilizers containing a large amount of nitrogen; After the beginning of flowering and fruiting, peppers will require fertilizing based on phosphorus and potassium, which will contribute to a more abundant harvest and strengthen the plants.

Seed selection and treatment

Seeds for planting peppers must be carefully selected and meet certain requirements. It is best to purchase planting material from a trusted manufacturer who guarantees the yield of the declared variety. If you buy seeds at the market, be sure to make sure they are dry and undamaged. They should also be of medium size and have no external symptoms of illness.

The processing process includes disinfection and soaking in a nutrient solution. First of all, the planting material is disinfected by soaking it for half an hour in a solution of potassium permanganate, after which it is thoroughly washed under running cold water.

Further preparation of seeds comes down to nutritional “sessions”:

1. First, you need to make a special nutrient solution - for this, one teaspoon of nitrophoska is diluted in 1 liter of water. If nitrophoska is not available, you can also use wood ash.
2. Next, the disinfected seeds are placed in fabric bags and dipped in the solution for 48 hours.
3. After the specified time has passed, the seeds are taken out of the solution and, placed on a dry plate, placed in a room with a temperature of at least +25 degrees for two to three days. This technique promotes further rapid and high-quality seed growth.

Having completed all the necessary procedures for preparing the planting material, you can safely begin planting it.

Important! To grow for sale, peppers of the Kupets variety can be harvested during the period of its technical ripeness, thus increasing the shelf life of the fruit several times.

Selecting containers for seedlings

Despite the variety of containers for growing seedlings, the most ideal option for peppers is individual cups, since the crop is very difficult to transplant. It is also important to choose a large container so that healthy seedlings have enough space for large leaves and nutrition.

A good option would also be to grow seedlings in peat pots - this will protect the root system of the seedlings from damage. It is necessary to plant peppers with great care, carefully removing them from the cups so as not to spoil the earthen ball or injure the sensitive roots.

Soil preparation

The success of growing any garden crop, including pepper, depends to a large extent on the soil in which the seedlings grew. Despite the unpretentiousness of pepper, the substrate for seedlings has a number of special requirements that allow the culture to fully grow and develop.

First of all, you should choose sufficiently loose and fertile soil that can nourish the seedlings with all the necessary nutrients for their life. Pepper prefers a moisture-intensive substrate with neutral acidity, capable of retaining moisture and absorbing it well.

For this reason, it is not recommended to choose peat soil for seedlings, since peat stops absorbing water after drying.

Soil mixture for pepper seedlings can be purchased at a specialized store, or you can make it yourself by mixing the necessary ingredients in certain quantities. The most suitable components for creating soil are humus, compost and plant ash.

One of the most popular soil compositions among gardeners is the following:

• 2 parts humus or compost;
• 1 part peat;
• half a glass of ash;
• a teaspoon of potassium sulfate.

Before cooking, all selected ingredients must undergo a disinfection procedure - pickling in a solution of potassium permanganate.

Planting time for seedlings

The timing for sowing seeds directly depends on where the pepper is grown - in a greenhouse or in a garden bed. In the case of cultivating the variety in greenhouse conditions, the optimal time for sowing is the end of February. If we are talking about planting seedlings in open ground, then the seeds are sown in mid-March.

Already a week after the procedure, the first shoots appear, and on the 70–75th day after germination, the seedlings will be ready for transplanting both into open ground and into a greenhouse. In the absence of heating, February seedlings can be planted in the greenhouse in mid-May, and March seedlings can be planted in the garden in the first days of the same month.

Features of caring for seedlings

Caring for pepper seedlings will not be difficult; it is only important to take into account the characteristics and requirements of the culture:

1. After the first shoots appear, the container must be exposed to light to prevent the seedlings from stretching. From 6 pm until the morning, the seedlings must continue to be covered with film.
2. Throughout the entire period of growing seedlings, the temperature must be maintained within +20...+25 degrees, but during intensive root growth it is recommended to reduce this figure to +13 degrees. In this case, the seedlings will stretch much less.
3. Watering should be provided moderately, with exceptionally warm water and at the root.
4. Feeding is a prerequisite for the full development of young plants. This procedure is carried out 3-4 times: the first - after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the rest - with an interval of 10 days. For the first feeding, the most suitable fertilizer composition is the following: 10 g of ammonium nitrate, 12 g of superphosphate and 7–8 g of potassium salt. For the next two feedings, the doses of the components are doubled, and for the remaining fourth feeding, it is necessary to exclude nitrogen fertilizers.

Did you know? The huge content of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants makes pepper an ideal product for those who want to lose weight. Entire diets have been developed based on this vegetable to quickly lose extra pounds. Thanks to its low calorie content

-
only 27 kcal per 100 g, this becomes possible in the shortest possible time, the main thing
is
not to forget to consult a doctor before going on a diet.

Planting seedlings in the soil

You need to start preparing the bed for planting seedlings 3-4 weeks in advance. First of all, the area is cleared of weeds and debris, and then literally a few days before the pepper is supposed to be planted, it should be dug up 30–40 cm deep, even if you have already done this in the fall.

The second digging is necessarily accompanied by the removal of remaining weeds and pest larvae. It is advisable to carry out these procedures after rain so that the soil is moist and fresh.

This crop prefers light loamy or sandy loam soil, but in other cases the situation can be corrected by adding the following components:

• If you have heavy soils in your garden bed, then add peat and humus to the soil when digging in the fall. Sawdust and river sand will also help make the soil lighter;
• in the case of sandy soil, it is necessary to add peat, clay soil or sawdust;
• To make a peat substrate suitable for planting peppers, experienced gardeners recommend adding a mixture of turf soil and humus.

The planting scheme depends on the preferences of the gardener and the space on the site that he has.

Let's consider the standard planting scheme for low-growing varieties, which include Kupets:

• the depth of the holes should not exceed 15–20 cm. Before planting the seedlings, they must be filled with plenty of water, wait until the moisture is completely absorbed, and only then begin the procedure;
• the plants are carefully removed from the cups, trying not to damage the roots and the earthen ball, and the stems are buried in the holes 3–4 cm lower than they were in the planting containers;
• The distance between the bushes is maintained at 35–40 cm. If you decide to plant peppers in two rows, then the distance should be from 55 to 70 cm.

Square-cluster planting is also widespread among gardeners - the holes are arranged in a checkerboard pattern according to a 70x70 cm pattern and 2 plants are planted in each.

The best predecessors for vegetables are beans, carrots, onions and cabbage. It is also important to observe crop rotation standards, which allow pepper to be planted in its original place no earlier than after 3–4 years.

Typical diseases and pests

Merchant has good immunity to tobacco mosaic, blossom end rot, and is resistant to verticillium wilt.
Pepper is susceptible to diseases associated with improper care . With a lack of phosphorus, the color of the leaves at the bottom turns purple. If there is a lot of nitrogen in the soil, flowers and ovaries will fall off. Drying of the leaves occurs due to abundant watering with potassium fertilizers. During heavy rains, the fruits may become covered with gray spots. In this case, the bushes are sprayed with fungicides.

Insect pests can reduce yields by 70% and destroy all plantings . The most dangerous are aphids, Colorado potato beetles, mole crickets, and slugs. To combat and prevent them, Basamil, Mikoafidin, Fitosporin and Metarizin are used. Bushes are treated with insecticides every 2 weeks until signs of harmful insects completely disappear.

Attention! After using chemicals, the fruits are consumed after 20–30 days.

Pros and cons of the variety

Reviews

The merchant conquered vegetable growers with his unpretentiousness , high productivity and taste of fruits.

Victor, Kemerovo : “I used to think that bell peppers were not for Siberia. I planted the Kupets seeds and was pleasantly surprised when the pepper not only withstood our harsh climate perfectly, but also produced a good harvest.”

Lydia, Ryazan : “The taste of the fruit is very pleasant, the variety is unpretentious in cultivation, and most importantly, it ripens very early and does not suffer from anything.”

Dmitry, Lower Volga region : “For our region with dry summers, the Kupets variety is just a godsend. With minimal costs and without much hassle, we get consistently high yields every year.”

Advantages and disadvantages

The Kupets variety, according to the characteristics of the originator and reviews from vegetable growers, has the following advantages:

• early harvest;
• extended fruiting period;
• ideal for growing in cold and temperate climates;
• friendly setting and ripening of peppers in any weather;
• very tasty and juicy fruits of universal use;
• plants feel good when grown, both in greenhouses and greenhouses;
• long-term storage of vegetables after picking from the bush at the stage of technical ripeness.

Among the disadvantages, vegetable growers will highlight the need to tie bushes to supports.

Care instructions

In the future, the crop needs watering, fertilizers, weeding and bush formation.

Watering is carried out once every seven days, the water temperature is plus twenty-five degrees. In dry weather, watering is allowed up to three times a week. The main thing is to prevent water from getting on the leaves.

Fertilizing during cultivation is enough for thirty days, so after rooting the bushes, nitrogenous substances, potassium and phosphorus are introduced.

Loosening the soil improves its oxygen saturation, which promotes growth.

Shaping the plant will be done several times during growth. The first procedure includes pinching the top shoots, the top should not exceed 35 centimeters, and the crown flowers are cut off.

Then, when the stems fork, the excess ones are cut off, leaving only four strong shoots. The last procedure is carried out after the formation of more than eight fruits on the bush, the top is completely cut off, this will contribute to weight gain.

Planting in open ground

The procedure requires the following manipulations:

• Planting begins at the end of May or beginning of June.
• Start preparing the site four weeks before planting the seedlings. Remove debris, grass, and in a couple of days dig up the soil to a depth of forty centimeters.
• Fertilize the soil by adding potassium and superphosphate substances and a little saltpeter.
• Plant the seedlings in moons, the depth of which is fifteen to twenty centimeters. Consider the distance between seedlings, approximately forty centimeters.

If everything is done correctly, inflorescences will very quickly begin to form on the bushes; they must be removed to allow the pepper to take root thoroughly in its new location.

Landing

Before sowing, the seeds are sorted and left free of defects, without signs of disease or rot. Before planting, they are soaked in disinfecting solutions - potassium permanganate, Fitosporin. A nutrient solution will speed up germination (this is Agate, Humisol, aloe juice with honey). Treatment takes 5-6 hours.

Before sowing, it is advisable to keep the seeds in the cold for 2-3 hours (in the refrigerator), this is done until they hatch. Sow to a depth of 1 cm, water the seedlings moderately with warm water, and do not dry out the soil.

The frequency of the irrigation procedure is 1 time every 2-3 days.

Picking is carried out at the 2-leaf stage. The day before, the seedlings are watered and planted in 0.3 liter cups. The soil used is loose, fertilized with a sod-compost component.

What are the features of fertilizing seedlings:

After planting 60-70-day-old bushes in the beds, fertilizing begins after 2 weeks. Prepare a nutrient solution from the following components:

• 10 liters of water;
• 1 tbsp. l. ammonium nitrate;
• 1.5 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate;
• 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate.

Reviews from those who grew

Andrey: I’ve been planting this pepper variety for a couple of years. I am one hundred percent satisfied with the result. Productivity is high, despite early cold snaps or excessive heat. The pepper is delicious.

Svetlana: My relative shared the seeds. I thought that in my region it would produce less fruit than in hers in Volgograd. The result was amazing, the yield was high, the fruits were tasty, juicy and fleshy. I plan to plant it in the garden every year. I recommend to all.

So, for those who love fresh vegetables, planting Merchant sweet peppers on their plot is the best option.

The variety has many positive qualities, and its high yield puts it in one of the first places among its relatives. The main thing is to prevent insect attacks by carrying out timely preventive procedures.

Common pests and diseases, control methods

With insufficient care, lack of fertilizers or an incorrectly selected site, plant diseases often occur; for convenience, we indicate them in Table 1.

Pepper Merchant is loved by various insects; it is worth preventing their appearance in advance.

We indicate dangerous pests in Table 2.

Ideal growing conditions

There are some nuances:

• When a sprout appears from the seed, the flowerpots should be moved to light; this will prevent the seedlings from stretching.
• Every day from six in the evening to six or seven in the morning, the seedlings are covered with film.
• During cultivation, maintain the optimal temperature: plus twenty-five degrees, and when the seedlings germinate and the time comes to strengthen the roots, reduce the temperature to plus thirteen.
• Water moderately, use only warm water and water only at the roots.
• Add fertilizer for growth. Do this three times. The first time is when several leaves form, and the remaining two every ten days.

The tips are simple, but very important!

Growing and care

In cultivation, a number of nuances are followed. Watering begins 7-10 days after transplantation (the roots should be given the opportunity to gain a foothold and begin to germinate). For humidification you will need from 6 to 10 liters per 1 m2. As the bushes grow and begin to ripen, the need for moisture increases.

When the peppers bloom, it is important to feed them; prepare a solution from manure (litter) with the addition of potassium monophosphate (2 tbsp per bucket). When ripening begins, it is necessary to add ash (1.5-2 cups per 1 m2) and potassium salts.