At the end of winter, gardeners pick up pepper for growing. You can make a choice among many varieties by carefully studying the available information about each of them. The review will focus on large-fruited pepper Orange Wonder F1.

Characterization and description of the variety

Yellow Dutch sweet pepper Orange wonder F1 - a highly productive hybrid with evenly colored peels of bright orange color. Dutch varieties are valued for their uniform, almost perfect shape, thick walls and sweet aroma. The orange miracle doesn’t just look different. It is denser than other peppers, with an average fruit mass of 210 g and a wall density of up to 10 cm.Fruiting varieties can last until late autumn. The attractive appearance of the Orange Miracle and its delicious taste make it a decorative product that will help with every creative inspiration of every housewife. The variety can be added to salads, first and second courses, fried, stewed, baked, stuffed, canned.

Did you know? Rud Manksvinkel, representative of Wageningen UR, a greenhouse vegetable company, recommends distinguishing between ripening Dutch peppers by the stalk: the later the ripening, the shorter the stalk.

Technical characteristics of the variety:

1. The bush reaches a height of 1.5–2 m in the greenhouse and about 1 m in open ground. Strong, heaped stems. Shaping of a bush in 3-4 basic branches is possible.
2. The fruits are orange, large, cubic in shape with a not clearly pronounced ribbing, 10 × 10 cm in size. The inner cavity is quite large with powerful white partitions, which are desirable to remove before cooking. The pulp is dense, aromatic.
3. Productivity reaches 14 kg per 1 m². Fruiting occurs 110 days after planting and lasts from June to late autumn.
4. Pepper contains a small number of calories, does not contain fat, sodium and cholesterol. Thick-walled fruits are characterized by the fact that they contain a 5-fold daily dose of vitamin C, are a source of folic acid, fiber and iron.
5. Production - Netherlands. Preferably grown from seeds in a greenhouse with controlled growth parameters. But it is also possible to grow in open ground in a personal plot.

A feature of modern selection of varieties is that the vegetable growing institutes of different countries, including the Netherlands, approve a list of promising forms that can be packaged “as is” by distribution companies or used by agricultural holdings to produce promising varieties. Therefore, you can meet the seeds of the same variety in packages of different companies or meet different species under the same name. So, along with the sweet Orange miracle, hot peppers of the same name are sold in Russia.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Grade advantages:
• the ability to grow in a temperate climate;
• large-fruited;
• higher wall density than other grades;
• excellent taste;
• resistance to tobacco mosaic and bronze tomato.

The variety has a lot of fans due to its appearance and incredible taste. Manufacturers believe that bright holiday peppers will be a great way to encourage picky kids to eat vegetables.

• The disadvantages of the variety:
• pepper grows better and bears fruit in warm weather;
• requires molding due to the ability to intensive growth;
• requires garter due to the large mass of fruits;
• the variety is a hybrid, and for growing the next year, seeds need to be purchased again.

Planting and growing peppers

Producers select viable seeds from fully ripened fruits. They are dried and special treatment is carried out in order to protect against phytopathogens. Such seeds can be planted without preplant treatment.

Did you know? The fruits of sweet pepper varieties do not taste the same. Their taste range — from almost tasteless to very sweet.

If you are not sure about the quality of the seeds, you need to process them:

• pour hot water (+ 50 ° C) and stand for 30 minutes to destroy the larvae and eggs of pests;
• potassium permanganate solution (3%) disinfection from fungi - exposure time 12-24 hours;
• growth stimulants increase the percentage of germination and provide plants with the same development - the duration of action is indicated on the package with the drug ("Kornevin", "Gibbor-M", "Cytodef").

In a temperate climate, to accelerate fruiting, peppers are grown in seedlings. Treated seeds are planted in special containers for 8-10 weeks before the last spring freeze. Seedlings need to provide daylight hours of at least 12 hours, watering mode, fertilizing, diving. When the soil warms up to a temperature of + 14 ° C, the Orange miracle is planted in open ground.

Optimal conditions

Pepper needs warm weather for successful development. The optimum temperature for germination is +21 ... + 26 ° C. Humidity - 70%. Seed pots don't need light while they sprout. Germination will take about 14 days. To speed up the process and increase the temperature, the containers with seeds are covered with a film.

Dates and technology of planting seeds for seedlings

Since seeds are packaged by different companies, the question arises of their correct choice. The quality of the bag itself is not equal to the quality of the seeds. Therefore, buy the seeds of the company you trust. Also keep in mind that seed funds are received in greenhouses. Therefore, the seeds of a company located in the same climate zone as you will be better adapted to future growth conditions.

Disinfect the seeds from possible phytopathogens using one of the methods described above. Plant seeds 8–10 weeks before the last spring freeze. It may be February or March, depending on the region.

Did you know? In the world there are more than 1000 types of pepper. The homeland of black pepper is India. And the birthplace of sweets — America, where it is still found in the wild.

The properties of the soil have a significant effect on the development of the plant and yield. For planting, you need soil with a slightly alkaline reaction: with an acidity level (pH) from 6.2 to 6.8. The mixture should be loose and nutritious.

Possible composition:

• 1/3 of good garden soil;
• 1/3 rotted cow manure - it must be aged for at least 6 months before use;
• 1/3 sand or perlite to ensure looseness of the soil.

Landing technology:

1. Fill a disposable plastic cup or container with prepared soil mixture.
2. Make a hole in the soil with your finger or the tip of a pencil (2 cm deep).
3. Put 2 seeds.
4. Cover with soil.
5. Moisten with spray water.
6. Cover with plastic wrap to create the correct temperature.
7. Place the seed tray in a warm place.
8. Keep the soil moist during the germination period.

Video: planting pepper seeds

Seedling Care

Seedling care includes:

• maintaining the necessary microclimate;
• top dressing;
• watering;
• dive.

The optimal microclimate for seedlings is warm (+ 18–20 ° C) with humidity (about 70%). The sunny windowsill is quite suitable for growing. So that the seedlings do not stretch to the light source, they organize uniform lighting with the help of fluorescent lamps. Watering is done by spraying the soil from the sprayer about 1 time per week. During the growth of seedlings, top dressing is carried out twice.

Important! Basic capacity requirement for seedlings — volume. The roots should not be crowded, otherwise after transplanting they will begin to develop intensively, thereby halting the growth of the bush itself.

More often use the following set of fertilizers:

• superphosphate - 7.5 g;
• ammonium nitrate - 5 g;
• potassium chloride - 5 g.

A mixture of fertilizers is diluted in 2.5 liters of water and watered the root zone. The timing of the first top dressing is determined by the fact that the plants have 2 true leaves. The second feeding is performed with the same fertilizers 3 weeks after the first. Before feeding, the earth is moistened.

Diving is necessary to improve the development of peripheral roots. To do this, a pointed stick is introduced into the soil, a seedling is poked with it, removed, the lower part of the main root is cut, and planted in a larger container, where the seedling will grow before planting in the soil.

Important! Seedlings must be watered for 1–1.5 hours before disembarking to prevent damage to microroots.

Technology planting seedlings in a permanent place

A week before planting in the ground, seedlings are fed with fertilizers and beds are prepared. The outdoor temperature should not be lower than + 14 ° С at night.

Tillage and pepper planting:

1. If other plants grew on the site, and there is a suspicion that pests hibernated in the soil - treat it with boiling water or a 3% solution of potassium permanganate.
2. The soil can be covered with a black film. This will help warm it up to a temperature of + 18 ° C. So you activate the pests and make them rise closer to the surface. Then treatment with boiling water will bring the best result.
3. Dig the soil so that there are no large clods left - this impedes the development of the roots.
4. Dig trenches and bring rotted manure to the bottom (1.5 kg per 3 m²).
5. Cover it with soil.
6. Pour over water.
7. Remove seedlings from cups.
8. Install them in a trench at a distance of 20 cm from each other.
9. Fill the space around them with earth.
10. Compact the soil around the trunks by hand.

In open ground

Open ground technology also includes a number of other activities:

1. Deep digging - to control pests - is carried out in late autumn in order to raise insects from the soil closer to the freezing zone.
2. In the spring, the soil acidity level is measured. If it exceeds 7 pH, it is necessary to deoxidize the soil with lime, dolomite flour or chalk.

To the greenhouse

As soon as winter frosts end, it is time to prepare the greenhouse. First, examine its integrity and, if necessary, repair, clean the glass or covering material from dust and dirt for better access to sunlight.

Preparation technology includes:

1. Cleaning beds from organic residues, if any.
2. Disinfection with sulfur drafts for several hours.
3. Digging the ground.
4. Site preparation.
5. Fertilizing - compost, humus or manure.

Pepper Care After Planting

Pepper care will consist of:

• maintaining an optimal microclimate;
• formation of bushes;
• glaze;
• fertilizer application;
• loosening;
• weed removal;
• hilling.

The preferred temperature for development is +23 ... + 27 ° С, and humidity is 60–65%. Watering is carried out several times a week to ensure constant soil moisture. During a drought, pepper should be watered daily. To preserve moisture, the crops are mulched. This prevents the germination of weeds and reduces the risk of infection with late blight and pests of pepper.

Hilling is carried out in order to strengthen and develop the root system of the bush. With abundant fruiting, the bush may not sustain the weight and fall. Therefore, it must be tied up. Hilling increases the stability of the bush.

Watering and feeding

Water is required for plants throughout the growing season. The weekly rate of fluid that the bush consumes is about 12 liters. Watering is carried out in the morning or in the evening.

The basic rules of standard watering:

1. Water pepper as the soil dries 4-6 cm deep.
2. Pour water slowly so as not to destroy the delicate roots with an intense stream of water. It is advisable to install drip irrigation systems. But if this is not possible - just control the speed of the water flow.
3. Do not pour pepper into liquid mud - this way fertilizers are washed off into deeper layers of the soil, depriving the plant of nutrients.
4. Do not get water on the leaves. This increases the risk of infection with late blight or rot.

Synthetic or organic fertilizers are applied every 2 weeks, starting from the moment of planting in the ground. If the plants are developing well, and you are not sure whether they need fertilizers, add the half dose on schedule.

Estimated feeding schedule:

1. 10 days after planting at a constant place, plants need to be fed. Fertilizers can be both organic (mullein, humus), and inorganic (urea, superphosphate, potassium).
2. A solution of rotted manure contribute 0.5 l for each plant. Dosage: 0.5 kg of manure per 10 liters of water. Superphosphate and potassium sulfate are dissolved in 1 tbsp. spoon to 10 liters of water and under each bush make 1 liter of solution.
3. The next top dressing is carried out 10 days after the first. Further dressing can be done every 2 weeks.

Important! When processing crops, do not exceed the dose specified in the instructions: even low-toxic substances are not beneficial for humans. It is recommended to do the last chemical treatment no earlier than 20 days before harvesting.

Trimming and shaping a bush

Trimming pepper has several goals:

• ensuring good air circulation;
• redistribution of nutrients in favor of fruits instead of leaf part;
• giving the bush a form suitable for harvesting and processing from pests.

Lateral shoots appear in the axils of the main stem. They must be carefully trimmed.

Forming takes place according to the following scheme:

• look at the skeletal (main branch);
• cut the first side shoot from the bottom;
• count the next three and cut the third.

Continue pruning and do not forget to alternate pruning of the third shoot: cut one on the inside of the bush and the other on the outside.

Pest and Disease Control

Most solanaceous diseases arise due to a violation of the integrity of plant tissues by pests.

Through the resulting gaps, pathogenic microflora gets inside:

In the phase of budding of pepper, they necessarily spray with Bordeaux liquid. The antibacterial effect occurs due to the reaction of copper ions. They react with moisture, creating protection against bacteria and viruses. The solution is diluted with 300 g of dry matter and 2 l of hot water. Repeat spraying after 2 weeks, but with a 1% solution: 100 g of substance in 1-2 liters of hot water.

Important! Please note that the drug does not dissolve in cold water!

Among the pests, the Orange Miracle is more often attacked:

The main pests are sucking insects, therefore, measures to combat them are the same. Gardeners often use drugs with a wide spectrum of action, which act on several groups at once, and not on one. The action of pests manifests itself in holes in the leaves, twisting and wilting of foliage. It is impossible to avoid pests in open ground. Most of them settle on the underside of the leaf plate, so it is recommended to inspect the plants several times a week.

Step-by-step instructions for pest control:

1. Remove weeds so as not to attract insects.
2. Use a layer of reflective plastic mulch. This will help prevent thrips, whiteflies and aphids.
3. If pests are found, treat the plants with an insecticidal spray, applying it according to the instructions for the drug.

Harvest Dates

The ripening of the pepper is determined by the color change of the fetus. In the phase of technical maturity, the fruits are green. They ripen for 100-110 days after the emergence of seedlings and acquire a bright orange hue. As they mature, the taste also changes - it becomes more saturated.Pepper Harvesting Rules:

• pick pepper as it ripens;
• cut the fruit with scissors so as not to break a branch or bush.

Pepper can not be stored in its plucked form for more than 2 weeks, so when harvested, it is immediately used for food or canned.If this cannot be done immediately, store the pepper at a temperature of + 7 ° C in the refrigerator until it is eaten.

Important! Sweet pepper varieties are recommended to be consumed raw or with minimal processing, since high temperature not only reduces the amount of vitamins, but also reduces the content of other useful substances.

When choosing a variety of pepper for growing on the site, pay attention to the Orange miracle. The vegetable is not only tasty and healthy, but also looks spectacular in preparations and salads. Following the rules of plant care, you will receive up to 14 kg of excellent fruit per 1 m².