Spectacular hybrid Kakadu pepper with an unusual appearance and pleasant sweet taste
In 2004, it was entered into the register of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation hybrid sweet pepper Kakadu. It is distinguished by large fruits weighing up to 500 g and thick fleshy walls, high yield, versatility of use, excellent taste, and relative ease of care. Let's get to know him in more detail later.
Characteristics and description
Pepper bushes "Kakadu" look like compact trees. They practically do not branch in the lower part, and reach a height of one and a half meters. The stems and trunk of peppers contain a large amount of hard fibers, which makes them durable. Therefore, the hybrid does not need a garter, despite the height and spreading nature of the plant.
Kakadu - mid-season pepper, 120-130 days pass from germination to fruiting. This hybrid can be used like any other sweet pepper. Fresh - for slicing and salads, eating stuffed. For the winter - for preparing preparations.
Attention! Kakadu seeds cannot be collected for storage for next year, since this is a first generation hybrid (F1) and it is impossible to reproduce all its qualities.
Distinctive features
There are several main features due to which the Cockatoo hybrid can be distinguished from the rest:
- Tallness. The cockatoo reaches 100-120 cm in height. Some plants even grow up to 1.5 m.
- Appearance. Fruits of exotic shape and bright color look beautiful and impressive.
- Large fruit. The fruits of this pepper can reach a length of 30 cm and a weight of 500 g.
- Productivity. Up to 2.5-3 kg of peppers are collected from one Kakadu bush.
Fruit characteristics, yield
The shape of the fruit resembles the beak of a cockatoo parrot, which is how this pepper got its name. The pulp is fleshy, sweet and aromatic. The thickness of the walls reaches 1 cm, the length of the fruit is up to 35 cm, the weight is from 200 to 500 g. About 3 kg of harvest can be harvested from one bush.
This is the only hybrid of sweet peppers with a fruit shape similar to that of bitter peppers - cylindrical and elongated. The vegetable comes in two colors – red and yellow.
Preparation for cultivation
To begin with, the seed is placed in a bowl of salted water. High-quality seeds are heavy and will therefore sink to the bottom. The lightweight ones will remain on the surface - this is a defect, you should get rid of it.
Before sowing, the seeds are placed in a damp cloth and left in a warm room for a couple of days. The soil mixture should be loose and nutritious. You can buy special soil for growing peppers. If you take soil from the garden in the fall, it is important not to use it from the beds where nightshades grew.
Depending on the region, sowing takes place from late February to early April. To do this, the seeds are buried 1.5-2 cm with an interval of 5 cm between plants. Cover with film or glass and water every morning.
After the emergence of seedlings (7-10 days after sowing), the seedlings are moved to a bright place and, if necessary, additional artificial light is used.
Growing seedlings
After two true leaves appear, the plants are planted in different containers - peat pots or plastic cups. The third part of the spine is removed. This technique is called picking.For several days after this, the peppers must be protected from direct sunlight, then put them in a cool, bright place.
When sowing peppers directly into separate containers, they will not require picking. With normal seedling formation, fertilizing is not needed. If there are problems, then feed them with complex mineral fertilizers twice before planting in the ground.
The first time - after picking, the second - two weeks after the first feeding, when the third leaf is formed. Water in the morning as needed with settled water at room temperature.
Important! Before planting peppers in the ground, it is recommended to harden them. To do this, the seedlings are taken out onto the balcony or street, increasing the time the plants spend in the air every day.
Planting pepper
Peppers are planted in a permanent place when six or more true leaves appear. In the southern regions this is mid-May and later, in the middle zone - until the end of June, so that the threat of frost has passed.
Leave at least a meter between rows and 60 cm between plants. The most convenient planting pattern is in a checkerboard pattern. Plants are planted in cloudy weather. If this is not possible, then early in the morning or in the evening, when the sun is not yet so active.
Holes 10-12 cm deep should be generously shed with water before and after planting. Plants are mulched with straw, peat or humus.
If peppers are planted in a greenhouse, then do so 2 months after germination. By this time, the plants reach 30 cm in height and already have about 12 true leaves. The soil in the greenhouse should warm up to 15 degrees, that is, around May.
Further care
It is enough to water Kakadu peppers once a week before flowering, and twice when the fruits are forming. Watering is stopped 10 days before harvest.There are 3 liters of water per plant, after which loosening (to prevent crust formation) and mulching is carried out. In the greenhouse, watering is carried out every 2-3 days.
The first fertilizing is carried out a couple of weeks after transplanting the plants into open or greenhouse soil. To do this, mix bird droppings and water in a ratio of 1:15 or 1:20, or cow manure and water in a ratio of 1:10. Then leave in a warm place until fermentation ends and use 1 liter of fertilizer for each bush.
During the flowering period, spraying is carried out - 4 g of boric acid per 2 liters of water. After flowering, mineral fertilizer is applied under the peppers. To do this, mix 1 tsp. potassium sulfate and 2 tbsp. superphosphate and diluted in a bucket of water.
The last fertilizing is done when the fruits ripen. Take 2 tsp per bucket of water. potassium salt and superphosphate.
Important! All solutions are applied at the roots of plants in the morning or evening, when the sun is not active.
Features of growing peppers and possible difficulties
Kakadu is a tall pepper, which needs to be taken into account when caring for it. To prevent the plant from growing and directing all its forces to the formation of fruits and not stems, it must be formed correctly. To do this, remove all side shoots up to the first fork, as well as all branches below the ovaries.
You should choose a place to plant a Cockatoo carefully. If it is open ground, then you need to find an area protected from possible gusts of wind. If pepper is grown in a greenhouse, then it is planted so that tall plants do not block the light of other greenhouse crops.
Attention! If it is above +30°C in the greenhouse, pollination will not occur and the flowers will fall off. Therefore, it is important to take care of ventilation. In hot weather, simply opening the windows is not enough - you also need to raise the film sides.
To prevent the lower fruits of the pepper from touching the ground, be sure to mulch with clean material. It will also retain moisture in the soil longer and prevent weeds from germinating.
Typical diseases and pests
Kakadu pepper is rarely affected by diseases and pests, but every gardener needs to know about them.
- Fungal diseases (late blight). Prevention - 10-15 days after planting in the ground, spray with a solution of Bordeaux mixture. In case of defeat - “Oxychom” and “Phytodoctor”. In case of severe defeat - “Ridomil Gold”, “Barrier”, “Barrier”.
- Aphids, spider mites, gall midges, wireworms, mole crickets. Insecticides - “Fufanon”, “Karbofos”, “Aktellik”, “Fosbetsid”. Folk remedies - tobacco dust, infusion of garlic or onion peelings, water infusion of ash or tobacco. Quickly decomposing insecticides - "Keltan" and "Karbofos".
- Apical rot of the fruit. Prevention - treating seeds with a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate. Not only the plants themselves are treated, but also the soil underneath them, as well as the internal surfaces of the greenhouse. If affected, spray with calcium nitrate.
Reference. Treatment with insecticides is carried out in the morning, before flowering, but not during the fruiting period of pepper.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before purchasing Kakadu pepper seeds, you should familiarize yourself with its pros and cons.
Advantages:
- unusual appearance;
- pleasant sweet taste;
- high productivity;
- large fruit;
- resistance to diseases and temperature changes;
- Harvesting continues until late autumn (September-October).
Flaws:
- takes up a lot of space;
- tall, so it can reduce yields if it is crowded;
- in open ground, the wind can break off shoots;
- the lower fruits may rest against the ground.
Read also:
The most delicious and simple recipes for pickled peppers.
A variety that may become your favorite is the Ox's Ear pepper.
Reviews
Reviews about Kakadu pepper are very contradictory. Some gardeners are dissatisfied with the low yield and weight of fruits, while others call variety one of the most beautiful and productive of all that they grew.
Larisa, Tula: “This year I started growing peppers for the first time. The Kakadu bell pepper was recommended to me by a salesperson at a local store for summer residents. The pepper has a funny tip, reminiscent of the beak of the parrot of the same name. The fruits are juicy and tasty. True, the walls are not particularly thick.”
Diana, Serov: “I have been sowing Kakadu pepper for several years now and am pleased with the result. The fruits are large, shiny, juicy and aromatic. They have thick walls and store well. Peppers begin to bear fruit within 2-3 weeks after planting in the ground! In a greenhouse or greenhouse, I collect fruits until October, and they weigh up to 600 grams! I use kakadu both for soups and salads, and for preparations for future use. Out of 10 seeds, it’s rare to find 1-2 that don’t germinate. I’m very pleased with the results!”
Kamelia, Volgograd: “I purchased Kakadu pepper seeds for 45 rubles. The pack says 0.2 g, it came out to 39 pieces, 28 of them sprouted, but not a single one died. I read on the Internet that the germination rate is 94%, but I got 72%. The height indicated is 1.5 m, I didn’t go higher than a meter. The weight on the pack is 500 g, my largest was 380 g. The fruits are long, so the lower ones rest on the ground. But the pepper is still large and tasty, I plant it every year and recommend it to everyone. Of the minuses, I would like to note the price. Also, Kakadu peppers are not suitable for stuffing due to their size and for collecting seeds.Pros: sweet and large, thick walls. I wish everyone a successful harvest!”
Conclusion
Kakadu pepper is a good choice for any summer resident. Its seeds germinate quickly, the plants are unpretentious and resistant even to the Ural and Siberian cold snaps and drafts. Large fruits of exotic shape, rich harvest and excellent taste will satisfy the requirements of even the most fastidious gardener.