The subtleties of successfully growing amazing tomatoes of the Pepper Giant variety
Every summer resident is a breeder at heart and will not miss the opportunity to grow a new variety of tomatoes in the garden. Many gardeners prefer the Pepper Giant tomato. The variety has several variations in fruit color. The characteristics and description of the tomato variety are presented in our article.
Description of the variety
Tomato Pepper-shaped giant (state register) when grown in greenhouse conditions it begins to bear fruit 110–115 days after emergence.
For your information. In open ground, the ripening period of fruits increases by 10–15 days.
Indeterminate type variety. The bush grows up to 1.5–2 m. The plant has many leaves and branches, but the stems are thin and fragile, so they need to be tied to a support. Flowering is abundant - each cluster bears from 5 to 8 fruits. The fruiting period is long; under favorable conditions, the harvest is harvested until mid-October.
Pros and cons of the variety
Benefits of the pepper giant tomato:
- original shape of the fruit;
- versatility of using vegetables;
- good transportability and long-term storage;
- excellent taste;
- strong immunity to diseases;
- high productivity;
- long fruiting period.
But the variety also has disadvantages. These include:
- the plant must be tied to a support;
- the bush needs to remove excess green mass.
Other varieties of pepper tomatoes:
Fruit characteristics and yield
Large elongated fruits look like bell peppers. Average weight 150–200 g, length 14–15 cm. The shell is smooth, dense and elastic, without signs of ribbing. When fully ripe, tomatoes have a deep red color.
The pulp is dense, sweet, with the presence of barely perceptible sourness and a pronounced aroma. The fruits of this variety are universal in use. Subject to agrotechnical rules, vegetable growers harvest from 6 to 8 kg of crop from one bush.
More varieties of tomatoes in the pepper series
The first pepper-shaped tomatoes appeared in Russia about 20 years ago, and at first they were represented only by foreign hybrids and varieties. The first representative was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 2001.
Tomatoes in this series have different characteristics and colors: Available in yellow, orange or crimson.
Yellow
The fruits ripen on the 120th day. There are few leaves on the plant. The variety is indeterminate. The height of the main stem is 180 cm. Subject to the rules of agricultural technology, vegetable growers harvest up to 3 kg of crop from one bush.
Yellow pepper tomatoes are grown both in greenhouses and in open ground. Up to 7 fruits are tied on one brush.
The average weight of one vegetable is 150 g. Tomatoes have an elongated shape with yellow skin and pulp. Tomatoes contain few seeds. The harvest is used both for preservation and for fresh consumption.
Orange
Pepper orange tomatoes are grown in greenhouse conditions. The culture belongs to the early varieties. Ripe vegetables are harvested 90–100 days after germination. The variety is indeterminate. The bush reaches a height of 1.8 m.
Up to 4 large fruits are tied on one brush. The weight of an average tomato is 180 g.The pulp is juicy and tender, the peel is thick and durable. When canned, tomatoes do not crack.
Crimson
Another interesting tomato variety is Pepper Raspberry. The plant is of a determinate type, that is, the bushes are limited in growth and grow compact. The size of the tomatoes is quite large. The average weight of one tomato is 180 g. At the stage of full ripening, the fruits acquire a crimson hue.
Ripening time – 100 days after germination, therefore the culture belongs to the early ripening varieties. Tomatoes have an excellent sugary taste. When growing in greenhouse conditions, from 4 to 6 kg of crop is harvested from one plant.
Sturdy
Plant belongs to early varieties, fruit ripening occurs on the 110th day after sprouting. Determinate, standard variety. Small bushes reach a height of 40–50 cm.
Sturdy tolerates any weather conditions well and has strong immunity to diseases. The color of the tomatoes is deep pink, with a small green spot at the stalk. The vegetables taste sweet. The weight of the tomato is 150 g. Vegetable growers harvest up to 4 kg of crop from one bush.
How to grow
Variety Pepper-shaped giant grown in greenhouses and open beds. The soil for tomatoes should be neutral or slightly acidic. The timing of planting seeds for seedlings depends on the region in which the tomatoes will be cultivated. In any case, the plants are transplanted into an open garden bed after the end of frost. Seedlings are grown for about 50–60 days.
Before planting, soak the seeds in salt water for 10 minutes. (10 g of salt per 0.5 liter of water). Those grains that float are empty, they are thrown away, the rest are washed in clean water and placed in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes, then rinsed again.
The soil can be purchased at a gardening store or prepare yourself from the following ingredients:
- garden soil (2 parts);
- humus (1 part);
- sand or sawdust (1 part);
- wood ash (1 part).
Before use, the finished soil mixture is disinfected – pour plenty of boiling water or 1% potassium permanganate solution. This procedure will destroy all possible bacteria and larvae that cause diseases in tomatoes.
Seeds are deepened into the soil 1-2 cm according to a 3x5 cm pattern. In order not to wash away the ground, the soil is carefully sprayed with a sprayer. For humidification, use settled water at room temperature. Next, the container with the seeds is covered with film or transparent glass and placed in a warm, bright place.
In order for roots to grow quickly, plants are planted. The transplantation process is carried out at the time when the tomato seedlings have 2-3 true leaves. After 6 full leaves are formed on the bushes, the plants are transplanted to a permanent place.
Read also:
A variety that will not leave you indifferent - “Pepper-shaped strong”
Soil requirements for planting
The bed for growing tomatoes is prepared in the fall. In dry weather, dig the soil well to a depth of 20–30 cm. This will better saturate the soil with moisture and oxygen.
It is recommended to plant seedlings in the place where cucumbers, onions or carrots used to grow.. If potatoes or tomatoes were previously grown in the garden, the risk of plant diseases, such as late blight, increases.
Before planting, the soil is enriched with fertilizers and acidity is brought back to normal.. If this is not done, then even with timely fertilizing, the tomatoes will wither and become sick. The acidity level of the soil is checked using a special test, which is purchased at a gardening store. The ideal pH is from 6 to 7.
Lime is used to reduce soil acidity – 500 g per 1 sq. m. To increase acidity, use sulfur in the same proportions.
Transplanting tomatoes
Seedlings are transplanted into greenhouses in mid-May. By that time, she should be at least 50–60 days old. Each plant will have 5-7 leaves and one flower.
On a note. It is better not to rush into planting tomatoes. If the soil does not warm up enough, the roots will freeze and the bushes will die.
Tomatoes are planted in holes at a distance of 50 cm from each other.. 60–70 cm are left between the rows. Since the Pepper-shaped giant has tall stems, plants are most often planted in a checkerboard pattern. They do this so that the bushes receive enough light and are well ventilated. Before planting, a small layer of humus and superphosphate or ash is placed at the bottom of the holes. The soil is watered abundantly with water at room temperature. After planting, the plants are not moistened.
Care and watering after transplantation
Proper crop care is the key to high yields. The Pepper-shaped giant tomato does not require special attention. Nevertheless, the maximum yield is obtained by observing agrotechnical rules.
In moderate summers, tomatoes are watered 1-2 times a week.. To do this, use settled warm water. Cold water slows down plant development. During the hot period, watering is increased by 1-2 times, but the tomatoes are not allowed to become waterlogged.Plants are watered in the morning or evening at the root so that moisture does not fall on the leaves and stem. Otherwise, the foliage will get burned, and when growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, the green mass will be affected by rot and fungi.
During the entire growing season, tomatoes are fertilized three times.. The first fertilizing is applied two weeks after planting the plants in a permanent place. For this purpose, preparations with nitrogen and phosphorus are used. This feeding stimulates the development of roots and above-ground parts of plants. Organic fertilizers are also used in the form of a solution of water and mullein or bird droppings.
Repeated feeding is carried out during the flowering periodto produce more fruit. The amount of nitrogen is reduced, it gives way to potassium and phosphorus. Superphosphate is used as fertilizer. Folk remedies - fertilizing with boric acid, yeast or iodine. Also The following drugs are used for fruit set:
- "Bud";
- "Ovary";
- "Epin";
- "Ideal".
During the period of mass fruiting, plants are fertilized a third time. To improve taste and increase fruit size, mineral fertilizers are used, for example, “Nitrophoska” or “Superphosphate”. Organic fertilizers are not excluded. Treatment of bushes with solutions based on manganese, ash or iodine also has a good effect on yield.
Pepper giant bushes lead into two trunks. All side shoots that have grown more than 5 cm are removed. They leave the main stem and one stepson, which will later form its branches and fruits.
In addition to additional shoots, the lowest leaves are plucked offthat create shade under the bushes. Yellow and damaged greens are also removed, as they provoke disease. They also get rid of sterile brushes.
Prevention of diseases and pests
The Pepper Giant variety has good disease resistance, but to prevent late blight and alternaria, the crop is sprayed with the drug “Ordan”. The first treatment is carried out at the stage of 5-6 leaves, then every 10-14 days.
Important! Three weeks before harvest, stop using the product.
Root and apical rot is prevented by treatment plants with fungicides or folk remedies, for example, solutions of potassium permanganate, iodine, brilliant green or hydrogen peroxide.
Reviews from gardeners
The taste characteristics and yield of the variety make the Pepper-shaped giant more and more popular among summer residents. Some opinions of gardeners are below.
Nadezhda, Tver: “I have been growing these tomatoes for 5 years. The variety does not require much attention. The seedlings are strong and take root well in a new location. Plants practically do not get sick. The fruits are actively set. Fertilize well, otherwise the yield will decrease. I removed the fruits from the lower clusters brown so that the upper ones would fill faster. I especially like the quality of the tomatoes. The vegetables are beautiful and large, as in the photo of the package with seeds. Both fresh and canned tomatoes have an excellent taste.".
Anatoly, Blagoveshchensk: “I started growing vegetables recently. A neighbor advised me to grow a pepper tomato. The ovaries formed together. The culture was not sick. The bush is gigantic - about 2 m. I was pleased with the result. I collected about 5 kg of harvest from one plant. The shape of the fruit is really similar to bell pepper. One tomato weighs approximately 200 g. The taste and aroma of vegetables is excellent. I will continue to plant this variety.”.
Svetlana, Novosibirsk: “For two years in a row I have been growing a Pepper-shaped giant tomato in a greenhouse.First I bought seeds from the agricultural company “Siberian Garden”, then collected them from my own harvest. To prevent the crop from fattening, little fertilizer was applied. I collected 3-4 kg of tomatoes from one bush. Everything is fine, I especially liked the quality of the fruit. These vegetables make delicious salads. Tomatoes behave well when frozen and seamed. Great for stuffing and making ketchup. It is difficult to find such a versatile tomato. I recommend it to everyone".
Conclusion
The pepper giant tomato has proven itself on the positive side. The crop does not require special attention and still produces a good harvest. In addition, the plant has strong immunity to diseases, which greatly simplifies the cultivation of this variety. By growing several varieties of pepper tomatoes, summer residents get a beautiful garden of colorful vegetables. Also thanks to this, vegetable growers harvest throughout the season at different times.
You will learn more about the Pepper Giant variety from the following video: