Normally, pepper plants grow in the vegetable garden. But, the Black pearl ornamental pepper is not your usual pepper plant. It is the first ornamental pepper that has black leaves, instead of the usual green.You can buy black pearl ornamental pepper seed in garden catalogs, online and at some garden supply stores.
This plant makes an excellent addition to any container or flower garden. Through the summer and into the fall, the plant is ablaze with small lilac flowers. The flowers fade and the fruit begin to develop. The peppers start out purple and as they mature, the color changes to red. The peppers actually look like pearls nestled among the foliage. It is sure to draw attention of anyone who passes by.
The black pearl grows to a height of 18 to 20 inches with a spread of 16 to 19 inches. Although you can eat the fruit, please remember it is extremely hot, over 30,000 Scoville units. They are mostly grown for their beauty.
Start Early
Pepper plants take 20 to 24 weeks from sowing the seed before you will see any fruit. If you want to enjoy the visual fruits in your garden and get a jump-start on the season, you will need to sow the seeds indoors, around the month of February.
Fill the cell packs or peat pots with well-drained potting soil. Bang the planting container on top of the table. This settles the soil and collapses air pockets.
Moisten the soil
Moisten your potting soil before filling the pots. You can buy this soil at most garden supply stores or you can mix your own. One method to mixing your own is to combine equal amounts of compost, peatmoss, and perlite. Cover the worktable with an old tarp or plastic tablecloth. Pour out your potting soil on the tabletop in a flat layer. You can also use an old bucket to hold the potting soil. Lightly sprinkle water over the soil and then mix the soil with your hands. Add enough water to make the soil moist, but not soggy. To test the soil for moisture content, scoop up a handful and then squeeze it. If water drips out, you have added too much water. If the soil doesn’t compress or falls apart, you have added too little water. The soil should stay in a ball form when you open your hand.
Planting
Fill the pots with the moistened potting soil. Grab your package of seed and get ready to plant.
Place one black pearl seed in the center of each cell. Push the seed with your finger into the soil until it is about 1/2 inch deep. Fill in the hole with soil and firm the soil lightly with your fingers to ensure both sides of the seed coat is in contact with the soil.
We like to put our pots in an old cake pan. Not only does this make carrying them easier, but also it contains any water leakage mess.
Cover with Plastic
Cover the pots with a sheet of plastic. Place the tray in a location that remains around 75° and 85° Fahrenheit. A lower temperature of 60° to 65° Fahrenheit is all right too. It just takes longer for the seeds to germinate. If you have a heat mat, simply set the dial and the soil will stay at that setting. If you don’t have a heat mat, you can put the seed tray on top of your refrigerator or freezer. It is always warm toward the back, close to the coils.
Moisture
Check the soil daily for moisture. It is important that the soil remains evenly moist, but do not allow the soil to dry out. Also, you don’t want the soil to stay soggy wet or the seeds will rot.
Seeds Germinate
When you see the small pepper plants poking out of the soil, it is time to remove the plastic. Move the tray of peppers to a bright window. If you have grow lights, use them instead. Keep the lights 4 inches above the top leaf of your plants and leave the lights on for at least 16 hours per day. If your plants are in a window and they start to lean toward the window, turn them a quarter turn every third day.
Maintain a moist soil to keep your seedlings in until it is time to plant them outdoors. To help your plants to have a sturdy stem, set up a fan. Turn the fan on two or three times a day to keep the air moving. It also help prevent the seedlings from damping off.
Plant the black pearl peppers outdoors in the prepared garden bed when all danger of frost is past and the ground is above 60° Fahrenheit.
