HOW TO GROW BLACK SWEET PEPPER FROM SEED

How to grow sweet black pepper from seed

When it come to fresh produce, sweet peppers seem to be 'all things to all men'. Served raw in salads, indispensable in Mediterranean and Asian dishes, and even roasted as an accompaniment to the good old British Sunday lunch, they are one of the most versatile of all vegetables (although botanically the sweet pepper is actually a fruit).

Perhaps the most stunning of all the sweet peppers is the gorgeous Sweet Pepper 'Black Knight' F1 Hybrid. The fruits of this early-to-set, heavy-cropping pepper actually start off green in colour and then as they mature turn to an attractive deep purple as they ripen.

pepper seedlings

Like regular sweet peppers, sweet Pepper 'Black Knight' is easy to grow from seed. Sow in March, under protection, in modular seed trays containing a good quality compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting'.

Gently water the compost and once drained either sow the seed 1/4 inch deep or press one seed into the surface of the compost and give a light covering of vermiculite. Place inside a heated propagator at approximately 16 degrees Celsius of seal inside a clear polythene bag and keep in a warm bright room that does not receive direct sunlight.

Germination should occur in 7-10 days at which point remove the tray from the propagator or bag. Once the seedlings have established into their pots they can be transplanted into 3 inch pots containing a multipurpose compost.

Once the threat of late frosts have passed, harden the pepper plants of over a week or two before planting out into their final position.

Sweet peppers prefer a well-drained, fertile soil that has been previously enriched with plenty of well- rotted farm manure or garden compost. They will do well in a sheltered position against a sunny wall, but even better if grown in the ground under the protection of a greenhouse or polytunnel.

For related articles click onto the following links:
HOW TO COLLECT AND PREPARE SWEET AND CHILLI PEPPER SEEDS FOR PROPAGATION
HOW TO GROW HOT CHILLI PEPPERS FROM SEED
HOW TO GROW JALAPENO PEPPERS FROM SEED
HOW TO GROW PEPPADEW PEPPERS FROM SEED
HOW TO OVERWINTER CHILLI PEPPER PLANTS
HOW TO OVERWINTER CHILLI PLANTS
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