How to Grow Pepper Vines & Peppercorn
Peppercorn, more commonly known in the U.S. as black pepper, is an evergreen climber from Sri Lanka and India. Harvesting the fruit at different stages during the maturing process produces various colors of pepper. Black pepper is made from dried green berries. White pepper is made from red or yellow fruits soaked to remove the outer skin. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Peppercorn (black pepper) seeds
- Greenhouse or growing shelter
- Shade source
- Heater or humidifier
- Garden tools
- Compost
Instructions
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Look for peppercorn seeds at local nurseries. It may be challenging, since they're not a common commodity. Search online nurseries as well.
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Prepare an area for the pepper vine. The plant won't survive outdoors, even during the summer months, and can't tolerate too much direct light. A climate-controlled greenhouse is best, since they need high humidity.
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Place translucent roof material overhead or a panel with holes poked through to allow in filtered light. Place larger shade plants nearby.
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Place a layer of pebbles about 1 foot thick in the planting bed. Lay a mixture of 1 part loam-based soil and 1 part sand above. Plant the seeds about 6 feet apart and 2 to 4 inches below the surface.
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Stake the vine when it sprouts. Place a post about 1 foot from the plant, securing it in the soil 1 foot below. Pack dirt around it tightly. Gently tie the vine to the stake, using a piece of cotton.
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Water the plant moderately during the growing season, once in the morning and once during the afternoon. Water it sparingly in the winter months, once every other day.
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At the beginning of June and October, apply slow release fertilizer (14-14-14 or 16-16-16 both work well) around each plant, but keep it two feet away. Mix it in with the soil after laying it down.
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Care for the peppercorn plant on a long-term basis. It takes two years before it matures enough to fruit.
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