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Now that we are well into the production of fruits, it’s nice to see that Baselga RZ sets as soon as it can. You don’t have to harvest a complete flush of fruit for it to set again. This allows for a more balanced plant between growth and fruit load. The weekly production is also more steady as a result.
More and more growers are pushing the limits of 24 hour temperature with this variety. And they are being rewarded with a very fast harvest speed and still a good fruit size. There is a limit of course, but it may be higher than we typically think. As long as you see that the heads are recovering in the morning (to a lighter/ fresher green colour), there is still enough vigour. If Balsega RZ is grown with “normal” temperature conditions, it will only give normal production. If it is grown “fast”, there will be a big advantage in production. Maximum production in a pepper crop is easier to reach with a higher fruit count instead of bigger fruits. They need to be a minimum size fruit to get the best price, but more (big enough) fruits are best for more production. Big enough and more of them should be the goal. Any Baselga fruits we have seen to date this season have been large enough in size. Steering for fruit size should be your focus now, for the future. If you have kept the speed in the plant, you can work with only the main stem fruits. This will also ensure you will not have a fruit load which is too high. Baselga RZ should be always setting, but also always harvesting.
Consider what you can do to avoid blocking too much sun out of your greenhouse. Remember when you shade,that you are looking to reduce the temperature in the greenhouse (and of the exposed fruits), not the quantity of light. In the high summer heat – keeping the heat out is much more important than trying to get more light. At this time of the year, try to go as long as possible without white wash and other sun blocking tools (energy screens etc.). This variety has the leaf area and vigour necessary to keep a good fruit quality and growth. Consider using your energy screen (as a shade screen) only during the transition into a very bright period (following a low light period). Try as much as possible and as long as possible to make the plant do the work. The reward will be more growth and more chance for setting peppers.
Try to use the smallest vent opening you can in the late afternoon boost period. This will help to keep the C02 in the greenhouse and make sure you are pushing the plant in a generative direction. Opening the vents too much will cause you to lose the humidity and make the plant vegetative because you are activating it too much as you go into the night or preN period. If this means it will take longer to reach your preN temperature, that’s ok.
Use the preN for generative steering which means you are pushing the assimilates to the head, fruits and flowers (to make strong flowers, not big flowers). Later, use the preN more for a reduction of your 24hr temperature and to give more size to the fruits.
The best characteristics of Baselga RZ show in this period to the end of the season. Fruit shape, fruit quality, good growth and the highest production. Working hard to steer this variety in the early season gives a big reward now to the end!
The variety descriptions, sowing, planting and harvesting dates and growing advices in our catalogues, leaflets and letters or communicated in any other way, have been composed in good faith and as precisely as possible, based on the experiences in trials and practice. However, final results of a crop depend on various factors such as local conditions. Rijk Zwaan cannot, under any circumstances, be held responsible for the results of the crop of any customer. | |