A spectacular decoration for any windowsill is decorative pepper. Not only is it a great decoration, but it is also used in cooking. There are several dozen plant varieties. During the ripening process, their color may change, but as a result, the fruit ripens with a burning taste. Growing such a plant at home is very simple.
Variety selection
Ornamental peppers are most often propagated using seeds. The correct choice of planting material will determine the ease of cultivation, the plant’s responsiveness to care, and the production of beautiful and fragrant fruits.
Seeds taken from a dried plant are perfect for planting in the future. This method is suitable for those who already have experience growing a similar crop. If you are caring for a small ornamental bush for the first time, then it is better to go to the store for planting material. There you can buy seeds of almost all plants that can be cultivated at home.
If you plant the seeds of decorative indoor peppers in February or March, in early autumn you will be able to get fruits that can be used in cooking. The timing of harvest depends on the type of plant, the height of the bush, and the type of fruit.
All information can be found on the package. Particular attention should be paid to the date of seed collection.
The date of receipt of planting material is a fundamentally important point, since every year the germination rate becomes lower. It is necessary to inspect the seeds before planting: they should not have specks, damage, curling, or signs of rotting. The color of the material should be from white to pale yellow.
It is also important how long after planting you can expect to receive a harvest. Early varieties will allow you to do this 2-3 months after germination. If the variety is late-ripening, it is pollinated late, and the fruits will form only after 120-150 days. Do not forget about pollination of pepper, without which you cannot get fruits.
What to pay attention to
When choosing a variety, you should take into account some factors that may be important for the future agronomist:
- Plant height. Those who choose indoor ornamental peppers as a plant for growing indoors give preference to low bushes, the height of which barely reaches 30 cm. The size of the plant varies from 0.15 to 1 m in height, like the Queen of Spades pepper.
- Fruit shape. There are only two options: either the plant forms berries, which are the fruits, or by autumn the classic peppers grow, the size of which is miniature. The classic bush pepper Carmen is a traditional representative of this family.
- Color. If the plant will be grown exclusively as a decorative plant, then you can choose an option that will change its color several times before ripening, such as, for example, The whole sky is in the stars. Some species appear in red-orange shades in the finale. The leaves can also be different: with spots, dashes, stripes, which can change brightness at different times of fruit ripening. The Filius blue pepper variety is very beautiful. The fruits of the decorative variety Aladdin at technical ripeness have different shades.
- The pungency of the fruit. If you intend to eat hot peppers, you should carefully read the information on the packaging, because some types are completely mild, while others are simply amazing with their pungency. Some species stand out for their unique aroma of citrus and flowers. The fruits of the Queen of Spades species are quite sharp. When eating some fruits, you can remember the stars, they are so sharp.
If you want to grow peppers only because of the beauty of the Aladdin pepper, then you can ignore the spiciness. In this case, it is more important to choose the right seeds from which a bush of the required height, shape and color will grow.
Popular varieties
Among the many varieties, the most popular are:
- Pepper Bushfire. The height of the bush reaches 30-35 cm, flowering is active. The pods are located throughout the bush. During the ripening period, the mini-tree is very beautiful.
- Pepper Black Pearl. Green foliage goes well with black fruits.
- Phoenix bush pepper.Mid-season indoor variety, recommended for drying and canning.
- Pepper Little miracle. Fruits abundantly, the period of appearance of the first fruits is less than 30 days.
Growing rules
Ornamental peppers should be planted in late February or early March. The material can be pre-soaked for 3-5 hours. It is possible to add growth stimulants or antiseptic drugs to the water, after which planting is carried out.
Sowing pepper at home should be in a chaotic order, and the containers in which the seeds are planted should be covered with film and placed in a well-lit, bright place. Do not be alarmed if seedlings do not appear for a long time; the period can reach 15-20 days. If the material was obtained two or three years ago, then growing sprouts will take longer.
Home care is very important. The seedlings are periodically ventilated. Raise the lid of the container, gradually increasing the time spent in the open air. After a pair of true Indian Summer pepper leaves appear, the seedlings are planted and need to be replanted. Hot peppers are placed in a pot or container of larger volume. Only one plant should be placed in one pot.
When the seedlings become a little older, they are pinched and replanted. You need to know how to pinch a plant correctly. After this, the plant will begin to expand instead of increasing in height. Picking is done about a month after planting.
Fans of spicy species often have a question about whether plants need to be pollinated. Periodically you need to pollinate the pepper at home by shaking it.
Plants of any variety are watered regularly, but it should be moderate. If you overwater a decorative pepper, the roots will begin to rot and the tree will die.Indoor peppers are extremely sensitive to lack of sunlight. You should be careful when choosing a location.
Common Mistakes
When growing decorative indoor peppers, you should carefully consider the advice of professionals. If you make mistakes during planting or caring for the plant, it may die. Diseases may begin to develop that will negatively affect the condition of the pepper.
The following mistakes are usually made:
- Violation of the watering regime. The water should be warm; if you use cold water, the root system will begin to rot.
- Pinching the root at the time of thinning. This will not lead to death, but the planted indoor pepper will take a long time to recover.
- The appearance of pests. If any are found, there is no need to throw away the bush; simply treat it with a chemical or folk remedy.
- Insufficient air humidity. The problem is easily solved by purchasing an air humidifier immediately after sowing.
The plant may shed its leaves if there is a sudden change in air temperature when moving the ornamental bush from room to room. The problem can be solved by using additional lighting.
Properties and application
Home-grown decorative peppers can be used as an ingredient in the preparation of first and second courses. Hot sauces and seasonings are indispensable without this spice.
Using the pods you can stimulate your appetite. Drakosha can do this with his appearance and taste. Having made a tincture based on decorative pepper, it can be used as a medicine. Reviews about such drugs are extremely positive.Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, neuralgic diseases and radiculitis are not a complete list of diseases, the course of which can be alleviated by using products based on the fruits of indoor Gorgon pepper. The Queen of Spades finds its use in cooking.
Use indoor peppers with caution. He is not nearly as harmless as he seems.
Contraindications include problems with the gallbladder, liver and pancreas. If you use red indoor hot pepper uncontrollably when preparing food, you can worsen chronic diseases and provoke the development of new ones.
Growing indoor hot peppers is an extremely exciting and interesting activity, but at the same time difficult. The popularity of decorative culture is quite obvious. Beautiful appearance, responsiveness to good care, the possibility of obtaining a real, edible harvest of Peperoncino pepper - all these factors explain the popularity of this crop among lovers of home plants. One has only to surround the little purple bush with care, and it will respond with a rich harvest.
