Ornamental pepper is a healthy and unpretentious crop suitable for growing at home. There are many varieties of a wide variety of varieties for every color and taste. When ripening, the pepper bush looks very beautiful, and its fruits can be eaten.
Botanical features of decorative pepper
The sharpness of the decorative pepper is given by the special burning substance capsaacin (translated as “biting”). Pepper flowers are similar to potato, but some have a rim along the edge of each petal.
Since ancient times, this plant has been grown in South America, Mexico and other countries as an aesthetic component, as well as for use in the preparation of local traditional dishes. For breeding at home, special varieties were bred whose height did not exceed 1.5 m.
Ornamental pepper easily adapts to external conditions and gives a rich harvest. The fruits of different species differ in shape, color, as well as in the nature of growth.
Is it possible to eat indoor pepper?
As food, eat only edible varieties of decorative pepper. These include:
- "Salute";
- “Aladdin”;
- "Small miracle";
- "Spark" and others.
Their fruits can be consumed raw, and also used as a spice in cooking. If it is not possible to grow your own vegetables in a summer cottage, then many varieties of hot pepper are ideal for growing in apartment conditions.
Decorative pepper contains potassium and ascorbic acid, which is necessary for bones, therefore this culture is very useful for the human body (in the absence of stomach problems). Edible pepper contributes to the best work of the gastrointestinal tract, disinfects food and enhances the taste of the dish.
Types of Hot Peppers
Five species of capsicum are grown in the world. Let's consider them in more detail.
Annual pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Such pepper has other names - annual capsicum, red pepper, annual pepper, paprika, vegetable pepper. This is a vegetable variety that has a sweet taste (for example, bell pepper), but sometimes there are sharp varieties (long-fruited, finger-shaped and other subspecies of chili). The peculiarity of this species is that after harvesting or shedding the plant, it dries up. But with careful care and proper growing conditions, annual peppers will bear fruit over time.
The bushes of this pepper have a small height, about 30-50 cm. The color and shape of the fruit depends on the type of annual pepper.
Shrub pepper (Capsicum frutescens)
Such perennial and spicy varieties, abundantly bearing fruit for 5-6 years, are perfectly adapted to grow in apartment conditions (on the windowsill, balcony, etc.). The number of fruits on one plant reaches 50 pieces. The second name for this decorative pepper is cayenne. The pepper is very hot.
Berry Pepper (Capsicum baccatum)
Berry or berry pepper got its name due to its unusual shape. The most common varieties of this plant are: “Bishop's Crown” (with average yield), “Lemon Lollipop” and “White Crystal”. Decorative berry pepper has an island flavor.
The plant usually grows to 80 cm, so it is not suitable for growing on the windowsill.
Chinese pepper (Capsicum chinense)
The least spread, due to slow growth, was a variety of Chinese pepper (Habanero pepper). The height of the plant reaches 50 cm, the leaves are light green in color, oval. Flowers of pepper are white-green.
The fruits resemble a flashlight, but may vary between grades. The fruits of the plant are the sharpest in comparison with other types of decorative indoor pepper.
Pubescent pepper (Capsicum pubescens)
The second name of pepper is fluffy. It is also called "Rokoto" not only here, but also in Peru and Ecuador. The plant got this name due to the fact that the leaves are covered with villi. It is recommended to be grown on open ground, since the plant grows quite high (3-4 m).
Fluffy pepper has a pungent taste and is usable raw.
Popular Indoor Varieties
There are so many varieties of indoor pepper. They differ in the appearance of the crown, leaves, fruits and color, growth time. In addition, each variety needs the right care for it to obtain the optimum amount of yield.
Alladin grade pepper
One of the most valuable and common varieties of decorative pepper, bringing a large crop (up to 1 kg). "Aladdin" can bear fruit for more than 5 years, growing up to 25 cm. In the process of growth, the fruits acquire several colors:
- green
- cream;
- Violet
- scarlet.
The variety has a pungent taste and aromatic odor. The plant is unpretentious and excellent for growing indoors (on balconies and loggias). This type of pepper is usually used as a spice if you need to preserve vegetables or pickle meat.
Pepper "Spark"
One of the most popular perennial varieties of decorative pepper is Spark, which grows up to 60 cm. It arose as a result of crossing cayenne and Chilean species.
You can read about growing decorative chili peppers on the windowsill in our other article.
Usually pepper “Spark” ripens in the summer and autumn time of the year, growing within 120-140 days. The fruits of the “Spark” have the shape of a pear of a bright red hue. This species is very resistant to bacteria.
Black Pearl Pepper
One of the types of hot peppers having a black color of leaves (in connection with this, it got its name). The fruits of the plant have a spherical and slightly elongated shape, 1 cm in diameter.
In the process of growth, they change their color from black and dark purple to scarlet and pink. A shade-tolerant species that grows to 49 cm when grown in a pot, and reaches 150 cm when grown in a greenhouse.
Pepper "Little Miracle"
A decorative variety with a sharp burning taste with cone-shaped fruits, which in the process of growth turn green, purple and red. The height of the plant is not more than 30 cm. A small miracle belongs to the variety of decorative chili peppers and is used as seasoning in the process of preserving vegetables.
Pepper "Dragon"
This type of pepper is usually attributed to a shrub variety. The plant is suitable for growing in flower pots on the windowsill. The fruits of "Dragon" are conical in shape, and the plant itself is resistant to weather conditions, therefore, can withstand prolonged exposure to the sun. The fruits of "Dragon" are usually used as seasoning in cooking.
Hot pepper "Salute"
A common ornamental plant that does not need to be trimmed due to the ideal shape of the crown. The height of the bush does not exceed 20 cm, so it easily fits on the windowsill.
During the growing period, the color of the peppers changes from dark green to orange. The fruits of "Salute" are cone-shaped ribbed, they are good to use as seasoning when preserving vegetables.
Apache Pepper
A branching plant, the height of which reaches 30-40 cm. The bright red Apache fruits have a conical shape. The plant grows well for 80-90 days in pots of various sizes on the balcony or window sill. The fruits of this variety are used as seasoning in cooking.
Growing Features
Usually sowing seeds is done not earlier than February. This is the most favorable time for indoor pepper to take root. To prepare seeds for sowing, you need to purchase:
- disinfectant solution (fitosporin or potassium permanganate is suitable);
- stimulants of growth.
When using the first solution, the seeds should be soaked during germination. If you use a growth stimulator, then the seeds need to be sprayed as described in the instructions for the solution. When planting fresh seeds, such stimulation is not needed.
Seed germination technology
Instructions for the proper cultivation of seeds of decorative pepper:
- In the process of germination, pre-place the seeds in water for 12 hours. The distance between them should be at least 2 cm so that the sprouted sprouts do not interfere with each other's growth.
- Sprinkle the sprouted sprouts with earth so that it covers the sprouts with a layer 1 cm thick.
- Next, sprinkle the seeds with water using a spray bottle. In this case, the soil should be slightly moist so that mold and rot do not appear.
- The conditions for the proper germination of seeds should correspond to the greenhouse: cover the sprouts with a film and place in a warm, lit place, but not in direct sunlight (otherwise there will be a greenhouse effect harmful to the seeds). The ambient temperature must be at least + 23ºC.
- After the first shoots appear a few weeks later, remove the film.
Soil selection and preparation
Light neutral soil is recommended. It can be purchased in a special store or made independently. To do this, you need to mix the following components in a 2: 2: 1 ratio:
- turf;
- humus from the leaves;
- sand.
In order to properly prepare the soil before decorative pepper grows in it, nourish it with vermiculite or agroperlite. These components help the soil retain moisture well.
Plant transplantation to a permanent place
As soon as the first leaves appear on the sprouts, you can begin to transplant the seedlings. For each seedling, you need to prepare a separate dish (300 ml pot) in which they should be placed.
The plant may not produce fruit if several sprouts grow in the pot. It is also important that the size of the pot does not exceed the specified, otherwise the root bush system will begin to oxidize when irrigated. Place a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot.
In the process of transplanting the sprout, place it at the depth at which it was during the germination period. Immerse the sprout in the ground shallow so that the roots of the decorative pepper do not rot.
Pin the main root - this helps to strengthen the roots and better development of its lateral processes. Squeeze a piece of land around the sprout, and then carefully water. In the process of rooting, the bush does not need watering for a week.
Care and creation of favorable conditions
After all the procedures for planting seeds, it is important to ensure proper care of the plant, which includes such basic steps as:
- watering and spraying;
- feeding.
Watering and fertilizing plants
In the warm season, pepper should be watered when the soil begins to dry out. In this case, water for irrigation should be infused and be at room temperature. Do not allow the earth to dry out too much, as the bush will wither and not give new fruits. Spray the plant several times a day if the ambient temperature exceeds + 25ºC.
Sometimes in the soil there is not enough nutrients needed by the plant, so it is necessary to fertilize homemade pepper. The violet color of the leaves means that the plant lacks phosphorus, and the light color of the leaves indicates a lack of nitrogen.
The plant should be fed once every two weeks. A potassium-containing agent treats the root, and mixtures with nitrogen are applied to the leaves.
Location selection, lighting and temperature
The room in which the decorative pepper will grow should be well lit. It must be systematically ventilated, but drafts should be avoided.
The window sills on which the pots with the plant will stand should be on the east or west side, since the south has a higher concentration of sunlight, and the plant can thus receive unwanted burns. But a constant presence in the shade will not benefit the plant. From 3 to 5 hours a day, the plant must be placed in the sun or create a light source by yourself.
If the branches of pepper are poorly developed, and there are few fruits, this indicates that the bush needs more solar heat. In November-December, when daylight hours are short, it is recommended to use a phytolamp.
The temperature in the room where indoor pepper will grow is + 25ºC in the spring and + 16-19ºC in the winter season. Decorative peppers are not afraid of temperature changes, so it can be periodically put on the balcony. Humidity in the room should be 60-70%. If the moisture level decreases after watering, spray the bush with a spray gun.
Disease and Pest Prevention
Due to the strong soil moisture in the decorative pepper, rot at the roots or a disease such as late blight can appear, which manifests itself in the form of brown spots on the surface of the leaves. In this case, the pepper should be treated with agents containing copper.
If the leaves of the plant began to fade, this indicates the appearance of root rot. Remove the diseased plant from the ground and change the soil. Also the enemy of decorative pepper is a spider mite. It appears when the concentration of moisture in the room is not correct.
To prevent the appearance of a tick, the plant should be regularly watered and maintain the desired humidity. If the tick has already hit the plant, fungicides will help get rid of it. Also, the mealybug can parasitize the root system. To prevent the occurrence of this pest, the soil must be decontaminated before planting.
Possible cultivation errors and reviews
To avoid the most common mistakes when growing and caring for decorative peppers, use the following tips:
- If you grow peppers on a windowsill, then making a mistake is almost impossible. It is only necessary in case of strong sunshine to place the plant in the shade and systematically water it with standing water.
- If you are going to grow such a variety of pepper as "Spark", then be careful not to let the soil dry out. This type of pepper is too sensitive to a lack of moisture during its flowering period, so with a lack of water it can begin to drop buds.
- Avoid drafts and dry air so that the plant does not drop leaves and does not hibernate.
- For proper fruit setting, shake pepper bushes during flowering - this contributes to the necessary pollination.
- When planting a plant, do not deepen it deep into the ground (the root neck should be lowered no more than 2 cm into the soil), otherwise it will die or the fruiting period will begin very late.
- In order not to confuse the dosage of the mixture for feeding pepper, buy ready-made in a special store. Organic approvals are best, especially if the fruits of the pepper are eaten.
Reviews
Polina, 35 years old, accountant, Chelyabinsk. Received as a gift several pots of sparkling pepper, which quickly became my favorite in the kitchen. This plant not only pleases with its appearance, but also improves the microclimate of the apartment. And thanks to the Twinkle, we always have tasty, sharp peppers on the table.
Irina, 43 years old, manager, Moscow. Decorative peppers are very beautiful, but the Black Pearl has surpassed them all! He has unusually beautiful flowers of lilac color, and later appearing ovaries resemble black peas. The fruits of the variety are edible, aromatic despite an acute burning taste.
Victoria, 37, dentist, Moscow region For several years indoor hot pepper lives on my windowsill. I managed to negotiate with him only when I moved him to the south side. The rest of the problems when growing pepper I did not have.Some burning beauties serve culinary purposes, while others delight me all year round with their beautiful flowering.
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Indoor hot peppers are an unpretentious and healthy crop that performs decorative, food and medicinal functions. Growing and caring for the plant does not cause much trouble, so decorative pepper will be a welcome useful guest on your windowsill or balcony.