There are many types of peppers or varieties of peppers that you can plant in a greenhouse. Here we will explain each one and choose the one you like the most.
There are many types of peppers to plant in greenhouses, betting on agricultural diversification in controlled spaces. From sweet to hot options, any alternative can be developed and obtain healthy harvests all year round.
By using structures such as the Multitunnel Greenhouse, the Gothic Greenhouse or the Multi Wide-Span Greenhouse you can optimise the growth of these crops, providing an ideal environment for each variety. Below, we explain which peppers to consider, including tips on how to plant them.
- Characteristics of peppers
- How to plant peppers step by step
- When are peppers planted?
- Types of peppers you can plant
- Types of peppers according to their flavour
- Types of peppers according to their use
- Ideal conditions for pepper cultivation
- Most common pepper crop pests
Characteristics of peppers
Peppers are consumed all over the world, which is why they are one of the most popular crops. Before we go to the variety you will find, we will tell you about their main characteristics.
- Plant: It is a perennial herbaceous type and its cycles are varied, as the duration depends on the place where it is grown. If they are outdoors it is about 0.5 metres, while in greenhouses it is more than 2 metres.
- Root system: It is deep and has several roots that reach up to 50 centimetres or 1 metre. One or two leaves may appear on the branches and contain a flower, this branching cycle culminates at the end of the cycle.
- Leaf: Produces whole, smooth, green leaves.
- Flower: They are usually hermaphrodite flowers and are found alone on each stem node. The colour is white and its size is small. The pollination is autogamous with a small percentage of alogamy.
- Fruit: They are seen hanging from the plant, single and erect. The walls are incomplete and the colours are diverse, ranging from green to yellow, red and more. They are most commonly ½ to 12 inches long, and their seeds are inside a canonical placenta.
How to plant peppers step by step
Before moving on to the types of peppers you can plant, here are the essential steps:
- You start with the seedbed and for this you take a container, fill it with well-fertilised soil and add the seeds to a depth of 2 to 3 mm. Try to leave space between each seed so that they can develop well.
- Check your seedbed at least 8 to 20 days later. This is when germination begins and before transplanting the seedlings, the soil should be aerated and compost added so that it contains sufficient nutrients. Ideally, they should be in areas that receive plenty of light.
- Once 2 months have passed and the pepper plants have grown more than 15 cm in height, including several leaves, they should be planted about 40 to 50 cm apart.
- The next step is to understand watering. Be careful not to overwater or leave it too dry. Do a balanced hydration and harvest by hand so as not to damage them.
When are peppers planted?
Regardless of the types of peppers, you should know that they are fruits that require long cycles in order to develop. Most commonly, they need between 3 to 6 months before being harvested.
If we have to choose an ideal time to plant, the most recommended time is between March and May. This will depend a lot on the area where you decide to plant, because there are climates that support planting as early as December or January, while if you are in a very cold area, it is better to plant in spring.
Types of peppers you can plant
Now we will talk about the types of peppers that you can plant in your greenhouse. Choose the ones you like best according to their classifications and special characteristics.
Italian pepper
This is one of the most popular peppers, its shape is elongated and thinner than others. They are often used for Mediterranean food and their crunchy texture makes them irresistible. The taste is light, so they are added in salads or stuffed.
Padrón peppers
As for the padron peppers, these are of Spanish origin, they also have a light flavour, although with spicy nuances that make them even more delicious. They are small in size and come in green, ideal as an aperitif.
California peppers
California peppers are 7 to 10 cm long and 6 to 9 cm wide. Their flesh is slightly thick and they have a square central cavity. They come in various colours, such as green, red and yellow, all of which are ideal for stuffing and stir-fries.
Piquillo peppers
Another must-have pepper variety is the piquillo peppers. They are from Spain and are triangular in shape, with a sweet and spicy flavour, but not intense. Their colours are reddish and they are used in many traditional dishes.
Bell peppers
The pepper is a native of Mexico, but can be found in many parts of the Americas, so they are used in many dishes in the region. The best thing is that they don’t need a lot of space to grow, so they are grown in small areas, including small gardens and pots.
Types of peppers according to their taste
According to the taste, we can also classify the truths of peppers. There are two: sweet and hot.
Sweet peppers
Sweet peppers are found in various dishes. Some people know them as bell peppers and they are one of the most popular peppers. The taste is characteristically light, not spicy and they are excellent for fillings in many dishes, as well as in fresh salads.
Hot peppers
As for hot peppers, these are known as chillies or chilli peppers. These are excellent for giving stronger contrasts and spiciness to dishes. They are most commonly consumed sautéed or as part of the seasoning of dishes, as they give intensity.
Types of peppers according to their use
Now we will talk about the varieties of peppers that you can get to know according to their use.
Dried peppers
Dried peppers are the most popular peppers for stews, and among their varieties you can find choricero peppers or dried chilli peppers.
Canned peppers
Canned peppers are those that are canned and then consumed. Some of the most common are roasted peppers or piquillo peppers, a delight for any table.
Fresh peppers
This is the type of peppers that are eaten once they are harvested. Of course, they are added to all kinds of dishes and come in many colours.
Ideal conditions for pepper cultivation
Regardless of the types of peppers, in order to grow them and for them to develop well, you must have certain conditions. This applies to greenhouses or other spaces.
Ideal temperature for planting peppers
All plants need a specific temperature to develop. In the case of peppers, they should not receive it in an extreme way, therefore it is recommended to control everything inside the greenhouses and to avoid stress.
The following ranges are ideal:
- Daytime: 21 to 26 °C
- Night: 18 to 21 °C
For seed germination, a temperature of 23 to 29 °C is required.
Ideal humidity for planting peppers
Humidity is another determining factor for the healthy growth of peppers in greenhouses. Here, the ideal is to have a good relative humidity range or VPD, because if it is too high or too low, it will be difficult for them to absorb nutrients.
The following is recommended:
- RH between 65 and 85 %.
- VPD between 0.5 and 1.0 kPa
Air conditions for planting peppers
If you use a greenhouse, you should know that air circulation is of great importance. Therefore, when growing peppers, it must be ensured that each plant receives sufficient air to improve its foliage and to balance the humidity.
Here it is recommended to use vertical or horizontal fans. Also, have window options so that everything circulates naturally. The more uniform the air, the better the development of the plant and its fruits.
Most frequent pepper crop pests
In addition to all of the above, you should know the pests that you can face when planting peppers. The most frequent are the following:
- Aphid and Myzus persicae: It is quite common to find them in greenhouses, they make colonies and can be seen in several spots.
- White spider mite: They appear on peppers creating a curl on the nerves of the leaves. You can also see them as outbreaks.
- Whitefly and Bemisia tabaco: These are pests that subdue young plants, spaces where they lay their eggs, then the larvae cause damage to the leaves.
- Thrips: Adults of this pest enter the plant tissues of leaves and fruits. They can affect the whole life of the plant if not eradicated.
- Other pests: These can be scale insects, nematodes or caterpillars.
If you want to plant peppers in a greenhouse, you should not only consider the different types of peppers and possible pests, but also the ideal structure.
At Fertri we have many options, such as the Multitunnel greenhouses, the Gothic greenhouse and the Multi Wide-Span greenhouse. These structures are highly resistant, spacious and adaptable to different spaces.