Plant characteristics
The Pepper Giant tomato (the description of the variety and photographs allow us to better understand whether the plant is worth growing) was bred in 2006 through the efforts of Siberian scientists. The plant is mid-season.
The shape of the fruiting body is elongated, the size is from 12 to 15 cm, depending on the environment and care. The average weight is from 180 to 200 g, in some cases it can reach up to 250-270 g under favorable conditions.
Features that distinguish the variety from other varieties:
- well suited for growing in greenhouse conditions;
- able to grow and bear fruit for several years in a row in the presence of a favorable environment;
- bears fruit 100-130 days after planting;
- yield in the region of 6-8 kg per 1 sq. m.
The bush is indeterminate, so it can grow up to 1.7-2 m in height. The leaves of the plant are characterized by a dark green color and large shape. Planted in places with harsh climatic conditions.
The pulp is characterized by a dense texture, with few seeds. The taste is sweet and contains more sucrose than other popular varieties. The color of the fertile bodies is uniform, the surface is smooth.
Description of tomato variety Pepper-shaped giant.
The possibilities for using fertile bodies are wide. Pepper giant tomatoes are better suited for transportation and can be stored for 3-4 weeks in a place with low temperatures.
Reviews from vegetable growers
Alla, 38 years old, St. Petersburg
I have been growing these tomatoes for several years now. Very pleased. There are practically no problems. The seedlings are strong and take root easily. The bushes hardly get sick, the fruits set actively. Of course, you need to feed well, otherwise the yield drops. And you shouldn’t expect the tomatoes to turn completely red: it’s better to remove them from the bottom bunches “brown”, then the top ones will fill faster. I am especially pleased with the quality of the fruit. Beautiful, large. The taste is excellent, both fresh and canned. The sliced ones do not fall apart: the flesh is so dense that you can put it on sandwiches, freeze it, or pour it with marinade. The form is always preserved. They are also suitable for stuffing, the skins are durable.
Kirill, 51 years old, Tver
I saw a photo of the Pepper Giant tomato and reviews on the Internet. I bought the seeds from Aelita. At first the bushes were not pleasing: they seemed somehow weak and drooping. As they grew, they “became more cheerful” and the ovaries formed together. The result was surprisingly worthy. On average, I collected about 3 kg of excellent tomatoes from the plant, which are really similar in shape to bell peppers. They weighed 130-150 g (I did not standardize the ovaries). I really liked the taste and aroma. Most of it was eaten fresh, with a little marinade added. This year I planted more: we will freeze both whole and sliced for the winter, fortunately, the consistency of the pulp allows it.
Elena, 44 years old, Blagoveshchensk
An excellent variety, I have been growing it in a greenhouse for several years. I first bought seeds from the Siberian Garden, then collected my own (even though there were only a few of them). Everything is fine, I just wish the yield was higher (I consistently get 2-2.5 kg per bush). I heard that he needs to be fed more actively, but I’m afraid to “overfeed”, lest he start to gain fat. I am especially pleased with the quality of the pulp. You can choose larger tomatoes for tasty salads, but these are the most suitable for stuffing. They also behave perfectly when frozen and rolled: they do not spread and can be used in the form of slices. I also made ketchup: luxurious taste and consistency. I will plant more. It's rare to find such a versatile tomato.
Pros and cons of the variety
The Pepper Giant tomato (the description of the variety and photographs provide a better understanding of the crop being grown) has advantages that set it apart from other varieties:
- bright taste;
- possibility of long-term storage under favorable conditions;
- marketable and attractive appearance of vegetables;
- long fruiting period.
The variety is vulnerable to most diseases and pests, which is explained by the sweet and juicy taste of the fruit. A common problem affecting the fruit is blossom end rot. Another disadvantage is the difficulty of growing due to the indeterminate nature of the plant.
Advantages and disadvantages
Positive qualities of the variety:
Pros:
- interesting, elongated shape, uniform color;
- despite the name, medium-sized fruits are suitable for whole-fruit canning;
- elastic, dense skin does not crack during heat treatment;
- more sugar than other tomatoes;
- are stored well and do not wrinkle during transportation.
Minuses:
- you often have to tie up and remove excess greenery;
- mandatory prevention of fungal diseases;
- Lack of water and excess calcium cause blossom end rot.
How to plant correctly
In order for a tomato to bear fruit well and rarely get sick, you need to know how to properly grow seedlings, care for them, as well as treat seeds and promote their germination. The timing of sowing directly depends on climatic conditions and the growing method.
If the plant is planted in greenhouse conditions, it is necessary to adhere to the average dates:
- March 5-7. Treating the finished seeds and laying them for germination.
- March 10-12. Sowing seedlings.
- March 15-17. Initial emergence of the plant is expected.
- May 13-15. Planting in a greenhouse.
If a tomato is planted in a shelter in cold weather or in open ground, the timing should be postponed by 10-12 days. The middle territorial zone is characterized by prolonged frosts until June 10-12.
Seed treatment
If the seeds are harvested independently, they are pre-treated, which will reduce the risk of developing fungal diseases.
To do this you should:
- Prepare a solution based on a small amount of potassium permanganate and liquid.
- Place the prepared seeds into the solution for 15-20 minutes
- Rinse the seeds thoroughly with running water for 5-10 minutes.
Purchased material undergoes production processing, so cleaning is not necessary. The exception is seeds that are grown on small farms where there are no technological processing methods.
After the processing process, the seeds need to be germinated, which makes it possible to determine their quality and germination ability. Seed material should be spread on a wet surface, which is placed in a small container or plastic bag to seal out moisture. Then the seeds must be placed in a warm place for 5-7 days.
Sowing
Unlike purchased soil, your own soil must be prepared in the fall, which is recommended to be done by disinfection using a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
To reduce the risk of developing painful shoots, seed material is sown in small containers, for example, plastic glasses. Germination is expected in approximately 5-7 days, depending on external conditions and seed quality.
Growing seedlings
When growing seedlings in plastic cups, they must be regularly watered and rotated, which will avoid bending of the stem system. If the plant stems end up in the soil, they begin to grow an additional root system, which harms further growth.
In order for the seedlings to be strong, it is necessary to do transshipment, which involves transplanting into larger containers and then sprinkling with soil to the lower shoots. This allows the development of the root system, which promotes proportional growth of the plant, thickens the stem, and also gives a good and dense harvest.
Planting and yield
The tomato is placed based on a total density of 3-4 bushes per 1 m2. The standard planting scheme is 60×50 or 50×50 cm. In this case, good density can be achieved, which will reduce the likelihood of developing diseases or pathologies in the root system.
It is recommended to first add 1 tsp to the planting hole. one-component fertilizer Tuk, then mix thoroughly with the soil. The yield from 1 bush ranges from 9 to 12 kg of fertile bodies, depending on the environment and care of the plant.
On average, 5-7 separate inflorescences are formed on the stem.
The planting order should be staggered, so that each plant can receive the necessary amount of heat and light. This planting will improve air exchange between all trunks, preventing the formation of stagnation.
Landing Features
Tomato crops are often grown using the seedling method. This allows young plants to gain strength, strengthen the root system, and become more resilient and strong by the time they are transplanted to a permanent place.
The seedling method allows you to obtain a tomato harvest much earlier than when sowing seeds in the field, extend the fruiting period, thereby increasing the overall yield, and promote the heat-demanding tomato plant to the north and northeast of the country, where the growing season is short and when sowing seeds in the open soil, the harvest of such a crop simply does not ripen.
Seed preparation
Pepper giant seeds are sown in early spring, in the first days of March. This time is expressed by a gradual increase in daylight hours, which has a beneficial effect on seedlings.
There are certain stages in the preparation of seed material.
- It is selected and sorted, and strong, full-bodied seeds are used.
- Then they are disinfected: soaked in a warm, weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will get rid of harmful bacteria.
- After this, the seeds are washed and dried.
- To make sprouts appear faster, it is recommended to germinate the seeds. To do this, the disinfected material is placed in a damp cloth and placed in a warm and dark place for 1-2 days.
It is important to ensure that the fabric does not dry out, so you need to regularly moisten it with warm water using a spray bottle. During this period, the seeds will swell or even hatch.
Sowing
Tomatoes are sown in seedling boxes filled with moist, loose and fertile soil. It is advisable to disinfect the soil before doing this (calcinate it or spill it with disinfectants). The depth at which the seeds are placed should be 1-1.5 cm.
After the procedure, the containers are covered with plastic film or glass and placed on window sills. Room temperature 23-25°C. The crops must be ventilated daily and, if necessary, watered with warm, settled water.
5-6 days after the first shoots appear, the film is removed.
Care
When mass shoots appear, the temperature for them must be reduced to 15-18°C. This will not allow young shoots to stretch upward and will provide an opportunity to accumulate strength for future development.
The temperature is reduced only for a few days, then the seedling boxes are again kept in a well-lit place with a temperature not lower than +20-22 degrees.
After the appearance of 2 true leaves, they are picked (thinned) into separate containers of the appropriate size for each specimen (the volume must be at least 0.25 l). This will strengthen the root system and allow it to develop freely.
The picking is carried out extremely carefully so as not to damage the stem and root.
3-5 days before transplanting to a permanent place, it is recommended to carry out hardening: the boxes with seedlings are taken out into the fresh air every day. The time they spend there increases every day.
This procedure strengthens the plants, hardens them and increases the chances of rapid subsequent adaptation to the beds.
Plant care
With quality care, tomato yields increase and are highly stable. Properly grown fruit is characterized by a bright appearance and good taste.
Since the Pepper Giant is a tall variety, it requires a sufficient amount of strength for proper growth, the development of healthy shoots and the formation of good fertile bodies. This is influenced by proper feeding, watering and timely formation of the bush.
Watering
The Pepper Giant tomato (the description of the variety and photographs allow you to better understand the characteristics of cultivation) is sensitive to watering. The variety is afraid of excess or lack of moisture, which leads to the formation of fungal diseases and rapid depletion of the plant. The fruit itself will not be able to gain the required weight and will greatly lose its taste.
It is better to water adult tomatoes 1 to 3 times a day for 7 days. For this purpose, settled water at warm temperature is used. During the hot period, the plant is moistened based on the dryness of the top layer of soil. It is better to purchase a drip irrigation system, thanks to which the moisture will concentrate closer to the root system without affecting the main stem and foliage.
To keep the plant as long as possible, it is recommended to mulch it with straw or sawdust. This will reduce the risk of weeds and additionally enrich the soil with useful minerals.
Top dressing
The pepper giant tomato variety needs to be fertilized and fed on time. This allows you to increase the overall yield and provide stimulation.
Fertilizers are applied sequentially:
- The initial feeding is carried out 10-15 days after the seedlings have been planted. Allows you to better adapt the plant to environmental conditions. The fertilizer mixture must contain the elements of phosphorus and nitrogen. When using industrial preparations, you must carefully follow the instructions, which indicate the proportions and dilution methods. Of the organic preparations, it is better to use 250 g of chicken manure, which should be diluted in 10 liters of clean, low-acidity water.
- During the flowering period, substances are added that contain phosphorus and potassium. In addition to artificial mixtures, you can use yeast fertilizer, which should be diluted in the ratio of 1 liter per 10 liters of clean water, after which a few drops of iodine are added.
- At the time of ripening and the appearance of the first fruits, a preparation with a high content of monosodium glutamate or superphosphate substance should be used. Organic-based fertilizers are effective: manganese, iodine, boron and wood ash. Add 0.3 kg of litter to 10 liters of clean water, then dilute the resulting mixture with 2 g of boron and 20-25 g of ash.
It is recommended to avoid the abuse of organic or artificial compounds with a high calcium content, an excess of which leads to the development of blossom end rot.
During the flowering period, fertilizing allows the formation of good ovaries. It is better to use fertilizers based on phosphorus or potassium, and also use specialized products: Ovary, Bud and others. In addition to boric acid and iodine, yeast can be used.
To increase the taste and size of the fruit, a small amount of organic waste, superphosphate substance and nitrophoska is used. The root system is well nourished by the addition of ash and nettle infusion. Plants grown in greenhouse conditions are in greater need of timely fertilization.
Bush formation
To obtain a large harvest, it is necessary to form a tomato bush in time, select the required number of shoots, and also eliminate stepchildren. The formation of the plant depends on the type of growth.
The pepper giant tomato variety is an indeterminate plant characterized by unlimited growth of the main stem. This variety is often formed in 1 shoot. To correctly form a bush, you need to use detailed photo descriptions, which will provide more useful information.
If a tomato grows in greenhouse conditions, formation occurs in one go.
To do this you need:
- Leave 7 separate inflorescences on the main shoot.
- Above the last inflorescence, cut off all the leaves except one.
- Trim off the top. This will stop unlimited upward growth and concentrate all efforts on the rapid and efficient ripening of the crop.
If a tomato germinates in open ground, it is formed using 5 separate inflorescences, where 1 leaf is left above the last one. This feature allows the plant to better withstand the winter period.
To obtain a high-quality and good harvest, you can remove all the leaves below the clusters on which the fruits are fully formed. This will eliminate the possibility of late blight. If the plant is stressed, it should be additionally fed with organic fertilizer.
It is recommended to remove damaged or yellow foliage, as well as inflorescences without ovaries, which create additional inconvenience for fertile bodies by drawing out useful elements from the tomato.
Timely and correct pruning of the bush allows the plant to be well ventilated and illuminated. It also becomes much easier to inspect, which is helpful in case of pest or disease problems.
Tying up
It is necessary to tie up a tomato only after the planted seedlings are well rooted. If the plant is grown without seedlings, gartering is carried out when 6-7 leaves appear.
It is recommended to drive stakes into the soil from the north side at a distance of 10-12 cm from the main stem and to a depth of approximately 40 cm. The height is selected strictly according to the size of the plant. In addition to stakes, you can use any other devices: greenhouse frame, rope or wire.
The main thing is not to create a strong tension on the ropes on the main stem, which can damage the plant or prevent it from further growth. In the place of the garter, it is better to make a small loop, the size of which will allow you to fit 2 fingers.
Variety varieties
The basic characteristics of tomatoes are the same on most points, but the varieties have differences: from color to the ability to withstand low night temperatures.
Giant
This variety belongs to the tall types and can grow up to 2 meters. Recommended for growing in greenhouse conditions. Fruit characteristics:
- 5-9 pieces on one branch;
- average weight – 150-200 grams;
- harvesting up to 6 kilograms of tomatoes per square meter.
The hybrid is sold by large producers on the seed market: Sibirsky Sad, Aelita.
Yellow
The peculiarity of this hybrid is its yellow color and a small number of leaves on the bush. When growing, it is recommended to leave 1 stem; pinching the hybrid is carried out regularly. Features of the variety:
- low resistance to sub-zero temperatures;
- light-loving, the need for constant access to a light source;
- The yield is high, 4 kilograms of fruit are harvested from one bush.
Summer residents love to use yellow pepper varieties to make canned assortments.
Orange
The hybrid has early ripening periods and is recommended for greenhouses or film greenhouses. In size it is ahead of the pepper-shaped yellow varieties, the fruits reach 220 grams. Orange varieties are distinguished by high yields; up to 9 kilograms of tomatoes are harvested from one bush.
Red
Varieties of red pepper tomatoes are especially popular. Hybrids are classified as indeterminate type. Features of varieties:
- gradual yield (harvesting lasts more than 2 months);
- one bush, subject to proper care, produces up to 9 kilograms of tomatoes;
- varieties are resistant to Fusarium infection.
Crimson
This hybrid was specially bred for growing in regions with low night temperatures. The varieties belong to the determinant type; the bush stops growing when it reaches 60 centimeters.
The crimson color makes the variety memorable; it differs from related species in density. The skin is harder, this property is used in preparations, when cooked using heat treatment.
Sturdy
This is a determinate variety that has high yields. Summer residents harvest about 5 kilograms of tomatoes from one bush, this is a good indicator for a mid-season, low-growing variety.
Striped
A hybrid of interesting colors. Those who choose it for cultivation for the first time do not immediately realize that the fruit is ready for harvest. The stripes are located from top to bottom, creating a feeling of under-ripeness.
Long Minusinsk
The variety was bred in a small town in the south of Siberia and is included in the state register. Tomatoes of the Minusinsk variety are red in color, the pepper-shaped fruits are especially elongated at the edges. Features of the fruit:
- average weight – up to 200 grams;
- resistant to low temperatures and diseases;
- unpretentious.
Summer residents call this type “pepper” because of its external similarity to red pepper pods.
Cuban black
The variety is of indeterminate type, the height of the bushes can reach 2.2 meters. The fruits are characterized as dense and juicy, prone to long-term storage.
Recommendations for growing:
- regular gartering and pinching;
- timely harvesting of fruits (due to the fragility of the branches, the weight of the tomatoes bends them to the ground.)
Pink
Varieties of this species are characterized by unusual coloring. Inside the pulp is even lighter, the number of seeds is minimal.
The fruits ripen 120 days after the detection of shoots. Pink tomatoes are recommended for growing in open ground in the south or southeast of the country.
Royal Sedek
The hybrid is a medium-ripening variety. Features of the plant:
- the height of the bushes reaches 1.6 meters in height;
- leaves on the branches are poorly developed;
- there are up to 5-6 fruits on the branch;
- The color is ordinary, the fruits have an even red color.
It is suitable for regions with temperature extremes and sudden changes in weather conditions.
Hugo
Tomatoes of this type were bred in the Czech Republic. A special feature was the size of the bright red fruits. Compared to other pepper tomatoes, they are large, reaching 350 grams. Recommended for growing in areas with temperate climates.
Protection from diseases and pests
The Pepper-shaped giant tomato (the description of the variety and photographs allow you to better understand how to properly grow the crop) requires agrotechnical protection throughout the entire growth period, starting from planting the seed material.
Main diseases and pests, as well as methods of combating them:
Problematic process | Description, reasons | Control and prevention |
Apical rot | It is formed in case of a lack of calcium or potassium, as well as with an incorrectly selected pruning method. | Spray the fertile body with calcium nitrate. For prevention, apply a small amount of wood ash to the planting hole. |
Whitefly | Small white insects hide under leaves. The most dangerous pest of all varieties of tomato. It develops as a result of close planting, violations of the ventilation regime or the absence of fertilizers and fertilizing for prevention. | Remove the protective film from the plants or open the greenhouse for full ventilation. Treat with Admiral, Aploud or Aktara substances. Prevention using tobacco solution or dandelion tincture. |
Late blight | Characterized by the formation of small brown spots. Affects most of the crop. The main reason is high soil and air humidity. | For prevention, use agrotechnical preparations Mioxan and Pentafag. In case of infection: Quadris, Tattu or Bordeaux mixture. |
Aphid | It affects tomatoes grown both in greenhouse conditions and in open ground. | Water the plant with warm water in places where insects accumulate, and rub the leaves with ash. If it doesn’t help, use tincture of tobacco, chamomile or yarrow. Use chemicals for prevention. |
Alternaria blight | The disease affects the stem and root systems of the plant, and the presentation of tomatoes is lost. Characterized by the formation of dry brown spots. | Cover the plant with agrofibre every night. Use chemicals Thanos, Quadris and Revus. |
Fusarium wilt | The leaves are distinguished by a yellow tint and gradual wilting. Darkening is visible on the stem. The main reasons: increased air humidity and lack of timely fertilization with nitrogen-containing preparations. | For prevention, it is necessary to regularly hill up the bushes and follow recommendations for crop rotation. If there is a disease, feed the tomato with the drug Barrier and spray it daily with the substance Hom. |
To avoid the development of dangerous diseases and pests, the plant must be constantly watered, hilled and fed. In the absence of timely preventive measures or combating the harmful effects, the tomato may die even before the first ovaries appear.
Pepper tomatoes: history of occurrence
Pepper tomatoes came to us from abroad in the 1990s and immediately gained recognition.
The first domestic analogue appeared on our beds at the very beginning of the 2000s. The variety was called “Pepper-shaped”. Its further development was a tomato with fruits twice as large, which was called the “Pepper Giant”, although the tomatoes were medium in size.
This variety, bred in Barnaul, was declared in 2005 and included in the State Register in 2007.
Tips and tricks for growing
Additional agronomic advice should be used in conjunction with general recommendations. This will allow you to obtain an abundant and high-quality harvest, which will be preserved throughout the entire growth period.
Basic recommendations:
- In order to grow the root system and maintain high yields, it is necessary to carry out regular hilling and weeding of the plant. Unwanted weeds are removed and moist soil is rolled onto the lower area of the main stem.
- After regular watering, the soil should be thoroughly loosened. This will avoid the formation of a thick crust and growths that prevent the effective supply of liquid and oxygen to the soil.
- Remove the formed inflorescences in mid or late August. During this time, the fruits will not have time to form, which is why the removal of excess fertile bodies will allow the forces to be transferred to the formation of the main crop and bush.
- Remove fertile bodies that have “milky” ripeness. Allows you to stimulate productivity and form new, strong tomatoes. Unripe fruits can ripen quickly at room temperature.
- Ventilate the room regularly when growing tomatoes in greenhouse conditions. High temperature conditions and high humidity negatively affect the development of the main flowering.
If you follow all the recommendations, the Pepper Giant tomato variety will delight you with its rapid growth and tasty fruits. A detailed description and the availability of high-quality photographs allows you to better assess the characteristics of the crop, as well as decide on its purchase and further cultivation.
Harvesting and use of fruits
The harvest can be harvested as early as mid-summer - July; in open areas, fruiting begins at the end of the second summer month.
The formation and ripening of fruits continues until the onset of the first autumn frosts. In the fall, it is recommended to remove some of the inflorescences - the fruits may not have time to ripen and pinch the tops of the bush plant, which will stop their growth.
Tomatoes can be used fresh or used for canning for the winter. Vegetables make excellent summer salads and appetizers, pasta, sauce, and dietary children's dishes. They are of little use for juice.
Reviews from those who grew the Pepper Giant tomato
Alena, Kharkov
The pepper-shaped giant variety has now been registered with us forever. Although when the seedlings grew, it didn’t look like a giant. But then he gave me delicious tomatoes, tasty, sweet, without voids. There are 2-3 fruits in the hand, but they are the size of my palm! The bush grew in the OG, the first ripe tomato was harvested on September 4, the last one on October 11. Class!
Valeria, Siberian summer resident
I prepare tomatoes as sun-dried, so I plant large fruits first. I recently discovered the pepper-shaped giant; I was attracted by the reviews and the beautiful shape of the fruit. If we give ratings, then the taste is 5, the yield is 4, and the structure of the bush is 4. I will continue to plant, but 1-2 bushes require a lot of care.
Gorelov I.D., Moscow region
Among the varieties for greenhouses, I consider the Pepper Giant to be the best. But he has some nuances - he sits for a long time. If you sow the seeds in February, then you need to wait for a red tomato only by the end of August. I don’t limit its growth; it lasts until the frost kills it. And knits until the frosts. Tomatoes ripened in a dark place are not much worse than on a branch. They lie well, do not rot, they can only wither. Almost until the New Year there were fresh tomatoes on the table. I recommend the variety, there are no more worries as with other varieties. You only need to spray for late blight; in September it is raging here. But this is a variety, not a hybrid, process it, don’t be lazy.