Kinds.
In the culture there are several kinds of pepper: angular (or Periuan S. angulosum), pubescent (S. pubescens), conical or Colombian (S. conicum). Cucicum frutescens, Capsicum longum, Chinese (Capsicum sinense), foliage or one-year (S. annuum), which has received the most widespread. Speaking of decorative pepper, it is often necessary to keep in mind the Capsicum annuum. Homeland decorative pepper is considered South and Central America. Bitter and sweet varieties of pepper are distinguished from each other by the content of capsaicin alkaloid in their placentas. The alkaloid capsaicin determines the bitterness of the fruit. Fruits of pepper in its composition have a large amount of vitamin C (in green about 270 mg%, in mature about 480 mg%). By this indicator, peppers are superior to all vegetable crops. In addition, the composition of peppers include large amounts of carotene, rutin, volatile essential oils and sugar.
Care of the plant.
Houseplants? decorative peppers love diffuse bright light, they can carry the direct rays of the sun, but in the spring-autumn period, plants need shading to avoid burns. In summer, the plant can be taken out in the penumbra into the open air.
In autumn and winter, the plant needs intensive lighting, additional lighting, if this is not done, the plant will stretch and lose its decorative appearance.
Grow these indoor plants should be in a room with a moderate temperature (20 to 25 degrees - this is the optimum year-round temperature). The room where the plant is grown should be ventilated regularly, as pepper badly tolerates mustiness. If there is no possibility in autumn and winter to provide the plant with additional lighting, then it should be kept at a temperature of 15 ° C.
In the spring-autumn period, the plant should be watered abundantly as soon as the top layer of the soil dries. Then watering is reduced and becomes moderate. Watering is carried out by constant soft water, the temperature of which should be approximated to room temperature. The plant likes daily spraying, and that there is high humidity. Spraying is carried out by constant soft water.
Timely pinching is a guarantee that the plant will bear abundant fruit. Pinching ends of branches is carried out in the period when the first ovaries appear.
Pruning is performed only if the pepper is grown as a perennial. The shoots are cut at least half the length. Pruning enhances growth processes. To ensure that the actively fruiting plants do not break off branches, it should be supported.
Fertilizing in the spring-autumn period is carried out by complex fertilizer, once every 14 days, after it is reduced. Depending on the conditions under which the decorative pepper is kept in the winter, it will depend on how many times you need to make additional fertilizing. If there is no highlighting, the plant is not fed at all, in other cases, if there is a backlight every 21 days.
Transplant decorative pepper in spring, annually, while removing old soil and replenishing a new one. We select the substrate: 1 part of leaf and sod land, peat, 1/4 part of sand. The bottom of the pot is equipped with good drainage. The plant can be transplanted and completely. However, there is a risk of greatly damaging the root system, so this plant needs strict care.
Reproduction of decorative pepper.
Seed reproduction.
Seeds of bitter or sweet pepper soaked for one hour in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Seeds can be soaked for a day in an epine solution (based on 4 drops of epine per 100ml of water). And you can sprout in a damp cloth, in this case the seeds are planted in the soil as soon as the roots appear. After soaking, you can immediately put in a container, the temperature in the room should be at least 22 o C.
Immediately after the seeds have risen on the surface of the substrate, it is not recommended to change the temperature of the air and the usual place, this can slow down their growth. The shelf life and quality also affect the growth of germinating seeds.
For the landing of peppers, the following substrate is suitable: a ready substrate for peppers and tomatoes is mixed with vermiculite and sand. This composition is filled with capacity, then the substrate is moistened, seeds are laid out on the cells and the earth composition is poured on top. The depth of embedding should be the size equal to the diameter of the seed.
String peppers can be grown without subsequent picking. You can dive them, but only when there are real 1-2 leaves. When picking, fill the pot with a substrate, compact it, make a groove in the ground and place a seedling there, the spine should be even, without bends. When the roots are too long, the pinching is done. Then the same peg in the hole should be pressed tightly. After planting, the container with the plant should be kept under fluorescent light.
Reproduction by cuttings.
In the spring-summer period, reproduction is carried out by cuttings that are planted in moist perlite or sand, or in a mixture of sand and peat (taken evenly). As the plant has taken root, it should be transplanted into a pot filled with earth composition from one part of the turf ground, one part sand, two parts humus. When the plant is planted, it must be plucked. In the summer, the plant needs to be cut several times, thereby stimulating branching.
Possible difficulties.
- Few fruits. In this case, you can try artificial pollination of flowers, using a soft brush.
- The plant crumbles fruits and leaves in winter. The reason is too warm and dry atmosphere of content.
- The plant was struck by a red spider mite. The reason is too dry air.
- Damaged: a spider mite, aphids, whitefly.