Gardeners are discovering the royal black pepper as a fun alternative for ornamental use and vegetable gardens. It is an annual plant in climates where temperatures reach freezing in winter months. In warmer areas, it can be a perennial lasting several seasons and forming into a shrub. It is known for distinctive dark color and spicy hot peppers.
Plants grow to about three feet tall. Stems and leaves are dark purple in color, almost black. Tips of the leaves sometimes have an alternate color of green or white. Underside of the leaves are green with purple veins and flowers are violet. Plants are full with plenty of branching. It takes about 90 days for a typical plant to reach maturity.
Peppers grow in good quantities on each plant with proper cultivation. The elongated pods are about an inch in length and start as dark purple turning to red at harvest time. Mature peppers offer an appealing color combination against the dark backdrop of the rest of the plant.
Temperature, water and air circulation must be properly adjusted for optimal growing and seed germination. Seeds require heat and continuous moisture, although it is important to not add too much water. Air circulation can often be hampered when using potting soil or peat pots, so it is advisable to use natural, well drained soil or other products designed for vegetables.
Plants in the garden require exposure to full sun for most of regular daytime hours. Well drained soil is important so that moisture is not trapped or standing at the base of the stem. Standard fertilizers can be utilized to increase fruit production. Mulch such as grass clippings or straw can be used on the ground around the stem. These plants can also be grown in containers.
As peppers become ripe, a sharp knife or scissors can be used to cut fruit away from the stems. This is a better method to avoid ripping the stem compared with pulling peppers by hand. Fruit should be removed once the pods ripen to stimulate new growth.
There are a variety of culinary uses for the royal black pepper. They are good for fiery dishes and can also be marinated in hot vinegars for adding spice to cooking. They can be dried for a variety of uses including decorative kitchen wreaths. Gardeners will find this plant an excellent option for vegetable and flower gardens alike.
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