Pepper Gingerbread Man

Gingerbread man is a rather old variety of pepper, its age is almost 40 years old. The culture is famous for many of its qualities, but most of all gardeners are attracted by its tomato-like shape.

Sweet bell pepper Kolobok was born in Moldova. Since 1983, it has been listed in the state register. Such a long history of cultivation allowed farmers to highlight the main advantages of Kolobok:

• varied use of fruits;
• good yields in protected and open ground;
• undersized bushes, their compact size;
• unusual shape of peppers;
• interesting taste;
• rapid achievement of ripeness;
• easy care.

However, the shape of the peppers can be a disadvantage as well, as buyers usually prefer the classic configuration. The variety also does not differ in large-fruited. In addition, the roots of plants are located very close to the surface of the earth, which seriously complicates loosening. But the main disadvantage is susceptibility to fungi.

Kolobok's half-stem bushes are characterized by low growth - only 25-30 centimeters. The stems of the plant are quite strong, so garters can be avoided during the growing season. The plant is covered with a lot of foliage. The bright green plates have a triangular shape and are large in size, reliably protecting the fruits in the summer heat.

The rounded and even shape of the peppers determined their name. They look more like tomatoes than peppers in general. The weight of the specimens varies from 102 to 167 grams. The fruits are very thick-walled, fleshy. In millimeters, the wall thickness reaches 6.3-10.1. Smooth skin at the moment of biological ripeness is filled with a juicy red color, before that it is light green. The peel is quite dense, which makes it possible not to lose the characteristics of the fruit during transportation.

The gingerbread man has excellent taste characteristics. The flesh of the peppers is very juicy, with a crunch. Bright peppers look good in salads and slices, they can be frozen and canned for the winter, put in soup or caviar. An interesting shape is played well with whole fruit baked in the oven and on the grill.

Pepper Gingerbread man is considered early. It matures in about 132-140 days, although under certain conditions it can take 179 days to reach ripeness. Farmers will have to remove peppers from bushes from July 20 to August 30.

The standard yield of the Kolobok is 2.3-4.8 kg from 1 square meter. With enhanced agricultural technology, 6 kilograms of sweet peppers are removed from the bushes.

The originators zoned the variety in the North Caucasus region, but gardeners' reviews indicate that it has spread far beyond this territory. Now it is grown everywhere.

Like other pepper varieties, Kolobok is grown through seedlings. In order for the plants to live comfortably in the beds in the future, the seeds need to be planted on March 10-20.Before planting the grains, the soil is treated with a solution of copper sulfate at a concentration of 3%. This will then avoid most of the problems with diseases.

After 60 days, the seedlings need to be dived into protected or open ground. They are planted by the transshipment method, without violating the integrity of the earthen coma. When disembarking, it is important to follow a certain pattern. For this variety, the 60x40 centimeters system proposed by the originator would be the best option. The first week or two after disembarkation, the Kolobok will require shelter. Therefore, on the site, it is necessary to provide arcs for the film in advance.

The variety requires timely and regular watering. Due to its proximity to the surface, the root system dries quickly, and the lack of moisture negatively affects the foliage: it turns yellow and dries. It is better to choose evening for irrigation. Liquid at room temperature in the open field is served every 3 days, in greenhouses - every 2 days. When the heat sets in, it is necessary to irrigate every day.

Loosening in the case of this variety is a rather risky procedure. You cannot go deeper than 3 centimeters. An excellent way to contain moisture and slightly fluff up the soil is to spread organic mulch over the soil surface. But weeds must be removed without fail, at least once a week.

In order for beautiful juicy peppers to form on the bushes, the plants must be fed. This variety does not need large amounts of fertilizers, but it will require minimal ones. For example, after planting in the ground, the plants can be fed with nitroammophos. For 10 liters, take 30 grams. When the bushes bloom and then begin to form a crop, they can be additionally stimulated with vermicompost (2 tablespoons per bucket of water). Between such dressings it is worth observing an interval of ten days.

Pepper Gingerbread man grows well on medium loam. In order for the plant to feel good throughout the growing season, 7 kg of humus and 0.2 kg of ash per square meter are introduced into the soil in the fall. If the groundwater flows high, the peppers are placed in high beds.

Disembarkation of Kolobok is carried out only on sunny open areas. Trees should not cover the peppers with a crown, but their presence in the planting area is also necessary to provide protection from the wind.

The culture does not have a decent drought tolerance. Despite the fact that she loves the sun, during the hours of aggressive exposure, it must be shaded. The cold is also not to Kolobok's liking, therefore, in cool regions, exclusively greenhouse cultivation will be appropriate.

Like all old varieties, Kolobok is often affected by diseases, because there were no technologies to ensure strong immunity in those days. Pepper is relatively resistant to tobacco mosaic virus and top rot of fruits. But it can be affected by anthracnose and fusarium. To prevent these ailments, the bushes should be treated with Fitosporin every 14 days.

The plantations should be checked for pests every few days. These are standard insects such as aphids, whiteflies. It is important to prevent their spread, otherwise you will have to resort to the help of insecticides, which is not at all good for health.

Many farmers like the gingerbread man. Some have been growing it for several years and are not going to change this variety for another. After all, bountiful harvests and simple care are just what a modern summer resident needs. Beautiful and interesting fruits, even if they are far from classical forms, look great on the table and in jars. Their taste will also satisfy the demanding gourmet.

However, the size and taste are highly dependent on the weather. Summer residents noted that during a rainy summer, peppers grow small, watery. In addition, constant humidity leads to fusarium.