What is good about the Winnie the Pooh pepper: getting to know the variety and learning how to grow it correctly
Bell pepper Winnie the Pooh is an unpretentious and productive variety that is suitable for growing in a greenhouse and in open ground. It has proven itself to be excellent in the soil and climatic conditions of central Russia. This hybrid, in addition to its high yield, is resistant to many pests and diseases, which attracts the attention of gardeners.
All the most important things about the technology of growing the variety are in our article.
Features of the variety
Every vegetable grower wants to recoup the time and effort spent and get a bountiful pepper harvest.. In this matter, the choice of variety, taking into account the climatic characteristics of the area, plays an important role. The Winnie the Pooh variety is excellent for growing in any region of Russia.
Pepper Winnie the Pooh was bred by Moldovan breeders in 1980 for cultivation in the central part of Russia. This is a hybrid of the Lastochka and Bouqueten 3 varieties.
Characteristics and description
The bush is compact, standard, low. It grows up to 25-30 cm, the branches are pressed tightly to the stem. The fruits on the plant are arranged in bunches, which contributes to a bountiful harvest. The amount of foliage on the branches is minimal.
Important! It is better to plant sweet peppers away from bitter varieties, as cross-pollination between plants can occur, and as a result, the taste of all the fruits will deteriorate.
Distinctive features
Juicy and sweet fruits can be consumed both fresh and after heat treatment. Vegetable growers highly value the taste of Winnie the Pooh and the fleshiness of its fruits with a pulp thickness of 5 mm. The vegetable lends itself well to transportation and is stored for a long time.
On a note. For a bountiful harvest, pepper bushes are planted as densely as possible. Since the branches of the crop are tightly pressed to the trunk, per 1 sq. m can fit up to 20-25 plants.
Fruit characteristics and yield
The fruits are mixed on the bushes, have the shape of a sharp cone, and reach 10 cm in length.. At different stages of ripening, the color of the fruit changes. Ready-to-eat vegetables have a red tint; during technical ripeness, peppers are mostly waxy or green.
Average fruit weight - 50 g. They ripen in large batches, which is very convenient, since the entire harvest is harvested in about 3 times. Productivity – 5 kg per 1 sq. m. The plant is resistant to diseases characteristic of pepper.
The ripening period of the crop is from 105 to 112 days from the appearance of full-fledged sprouts. In the conditions of the middle zone, pepper seeds are planted as seedlings in February-March, and in June you can already taste the vegetables.
Preparation for cultivation
Before sowing, the seeds are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate. For this you will need 1 tsp. Mix the drug in 200 g of clean water. After processing, the seeds are laid out in one layer on a damp cloth and covered with it. They are left in this position until full germination. As a rule, this takes 1-2 days.
At this time, vegetable growers can start preparing the soil mixture. It is important that the substrate is not too dense and allows moisture to pass through well. Before using the soil, it is better to treat it with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Read also:
The benefits and harms of bell pepper
Growing seedlings
It is possible to sow seeds with or without picking, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of both methods.
With a pick
This option is good because the transplant is carried out by a whole earthen lump.. In this case, the roots of the plant are not injured. Picking is done when two true leaves appear. The optimal temperature during the day is +22…+25°С, at night up to +15…+18°С. The seed is planted in rows in flat containers; there should be a distance of at least 5 cm between the seeds.
The container is covered with film or glass on top and placed in a warm place.. When the first shoots appear (after 7-10 days), the film is removed and the seedlings are transferred to a bright room. The seedlings are planted in separate containers, one sprout at a time, at the same level (without deepening the stem). As the seedlings grow, they are transplanted into larger containers.
Attention! The soil on the site should not be oversaturated with nitrogen, otherwise the plant will fatten, which will lead to a decrease in yield.
Without picking
In this case, the seeds are immediately sown in different containers; for this purpose it is better to use peat cups. They are planted two seeds at a time, then the weaker seedling is removed.
Important! The soil should not be allowed to dry out: it should always be moist.
To increase the protective ability and rapid growth of seedlings, treatment is carried out every 10 days biological stimulant "Epin-Extra". It is diluted in water according to the instructions.
Seedling care
The organization of favorable conditions for plants is as follows:
- seedlings are placed in a warm, draft-free room;
- required air temperature – +15…+22°C;
- for additional lighting, artificial lighting is used in the form of LED lamps or fluorescent lamps;
- periodic watering is carried out moderately (as the soil is added and always with warm, settled water);
- 2 weeks after the appearance of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings are fed: approximately 0.5 tsp of urea and 2.5 ml of potassium humate are used per 10 liters of water.
Hardening of seedlings
Before planting seedlings in a summer cottage, they need to be hardened. The event begins 2 weeks before planting. Containers with seedlings are taken outside. At first, they are left in the fresh air for 4-5 minutes, gradually increasing this time.
Important! Using cold water from a tap or from a well for irrigation is unacceptable, as this can lead to root rot, fungal diseases and plant death.
Planting seedlings
For cultivating peppers in open ground allocate a sunny place, sheltered from the wind.
The crop is placed in the bed where beans, peas or cabbage were previously grown. Such precursors create favorable conditions for pepper. The bed is pre-enriched with compost. Plants are planted densely, buried to the leaves and the soil is compacted.
To stimulate fruiting and rapid growth of bushes, pods are regularly collected and shoots are trimmed, which are located below the fork of the central stem. The ovary still does not form there.
Important! In order for the plant to get used to the new climate, it is advisable to protect the pepper seedlings with film for a couple of days after planting them in open ground.
Further care
Comprehensive care includes periodic watering, fertilizing and proper attention to the soil.
Peppers are watered 2-3 times a week using warm, settled water.. In the summer season, plantings are watered systematically, but moderately - excess moisture harms the roots.For peppers, the ideal type of irrigation is drip irrigation.
Pepper does not tolerate dry soil surfaces well.. In this case, it will drop its inflorescences and foliage. Therefore, after planting the plants, immediately mulch the beds with compost, peat or humus. In summer, dry lawn grass can be used as mulch. After each watering, shallow loosening of the soil is carried out and at the same time get rid of weeds.
It is recommended to add organic matter and universal mineral compounds to the soil as top dressing.. Plantings are fertilized no more than once every two weeks. In early June, nitrogen fertilizing is used. In the future, they make a choice in favor of potassium and phosphorus nutrients. In the active blooming phase, fertilize with organic matter - add mullein diluted at a ratio of 1:10, or bird droppings diluted with water at a ratio of 1:15.
Important! Low-growing compact bushes of the Winnie the Pooh variety do not need a garter.
Features of growing the variety and possible difficulties
The land for cultivation should be prepared properly. As a planting soil for seedlings, use a composition that is sold in specialized stores or prepare it yourself.
The mixture is prepared from the following components:
- compost (2.5 kg);
- vermicompost (2.5 kg);
- peat (5 kg);
- ash (200-250 g).
If less or more soil is needed, these proportions are followed in preparation.. The soil should be nutritious, loose and breathable. Fresh manure or partially decomposed compost cannot be used for seedlings.
Diseases and pests characteristic of the variety
Whiteflies and aphids are the most common pepper pests.. If unwanted “guests” are not identified in time, the harvest will deteriorate.For protection, use tobacco dust or wood ash. Also good remedies are liquid soap (200 ml of 72% laundry soap per bucket of water) or garlic infusion (200 g of crushed onion or garlic per 10 liters of liquid).
The most suitable chemicals – “Barrier”, “Barrier”, “Oxychom” and “Fundazol”.
Another common pest is the spider mite.. Plants are protected from it by using insecticides. To treat peppers against mites, use a solution of onion, garlic, dandelion or liquid soap.
Important! Plant wilting often occurs due to verticillium. As a rule, the causative agent of this disease lies in the soil. They fight the infection with Alirin or Glamir. One tablet of the product is dissolved in 2 liters of water and the beds are watered for preventive purposes.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Positive aspects of the Winnie the Pooh variety:
- possibility of harvesting in several stages;
- early ripening;
- increased fruiting;
- transportability of fruits;
- long shelf life of vegetables;
- no need for a garter;
- good seed germination;
- unpretentiousness to climatic conditions;
- marketable condition;
- excellent taste;
- versatility in application;
- compactness of bushes;
- resistance to most diseases and pests
The variety has minimal disadvantages. In addition to the small size of the fruit, a flaw is considered to be the fact that when cultivating the vegetable in open ground, the growing season increases to 120-130 days.
Good to know:
Measures to combat fusarium wilt of pepper
Why peppers don’t bloom in a greenhouse: determining the cause of the problem
Reviews from gardeners
Many vegetable growers choose the Winnie the Pooh pepper variety because of its taste, ease of cultivation and abundant harvest.. Reviews about it are mostly positive, because this crop is disease-resistant and easy to care for. Let's consider some opinions of those who grew this variety.
Svetlana, Voronezh: “My neighbors once advised me to grow Winnie the Pooh peppers. I planted the seeds without soaking, which is probably why not all of them sprouted. The seedlings were strong. I transplanted it into the greenhouse around mid-May. The harvest has grown as in the photo, the fruits are neat and even. They taste sweet. I recommend to all!".
Anna, Volgograd: “I grew Winnie the Pooh through seedlings, left it a little too long: some of the bushes formed ovaries. Planted in the ground on May 25th. The plant has taken root perfectly. The fruits appeared in late July-early August. The bushes have grown about 30-35 cm. The peppers taste sweet and juicy. As for me, growing this crop is a labor-intensive process.”.
Peter, Belgorod: “I have been planting the Winnie the Pooh variety for 7 years in a row. I plant it in the greenhouse in mid-April. Of all my varieties, it begins to bear fruit first. About eight fruits grow on one bush. I didn’t notice any particular difficulties in growing it. The only thing is the height of the bushes, which reach 40-45 cm. Therefore, I pinch the tops so that all the beneficial properties go to the fruits and not to the green mass. Fresh peppers are juicy and tasty, but my wife and I can preserve most of the harvest.”.
Conclusion
The Winnie the Pooh bell pepper variety has earned positive reviews. Vegetable growers claim that the crop gives an excellent harvest in the conditions of the Urals and to the north. Can be planted with or without picking, in a greenhouse or in open ground. You can plant as densely as possible, which will increase productivity. The fruits are among the first to ripen. An unpretentious crop with strong immunity produces fruits of high quality and excellent taste.