Amazing decorative pepper “Black Prince”: growing an exotic plant yourself
Indoor pepper Black Prince is a valuable find for lovers of original ornamental plants. The miniature bushes bear fruits that are actively used in cooking as a spice. Grow vegetables on a windowsill or balcony in any convenient container.
Let's take a closer look at what Black Prince pepper is and how to get a rich harvest.
What kind of pepper is this
Black Prince f1 is a hybrid that is easy to care for and resistant to diseases and pests. The unique vegetable is known for its flowering and bright spicy aroma.
Peculiarities
Miniature bushes, height from 35 to 70 cm. In some cases they reach 90–100 cm. The stem is thin but durable. The leaves are glossy, dark purple in color. The fruiting period is extended regardless of the time of year.
Fruit characteristics and yield
Peppers are spherical, glossy. The color is dark, in the stage of biological ripeness it is rich red. The weight of the vegetable is 15–20 g. Up to 40 fruits ripen simultaneously on one bush. The taste is pungent, the aroma is very pronounced.
Important! The Black Prince is edible. It is used fresh and dried, and added as a seasoning to fish and meat dishes. Used for canning and pickling vegetables for the winter.
Preparation for cultivation
Before sowing, planting material is prepared, which is purchased in specialized stores. When purchasing, check the expiration date and integrity of the packaging. At home, the seeds are disinfected using a solution of succinic acid or the drug "Epin".
Disinfection protects the material from dangerous microbes and strengthens the immunity of future plants. Afterwards, the grain is wrapped in a damp cloth and stored in a warm place for 5 days. During this time, the first shoots appear.
To grow the Black Prince, loose and nutritious soil is used.. It is recommended to purchase universal soil and mix it with humus and peat in a ratio of 4:1:1. The soil should be slightly acidic - 6.5 pH. Before planting, the soil is disinfected in the freezer for 5 hours - the low temperature destroys pathogenic microflora.
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Planting seeds in plastic or cardboard cups. Planting depth is 1.5 cm. Water the seedlings with warm water once every 5 days. It is important to check the soil regularly to prevent overwatering.
After 3-4 leaves appear, the pepper is picked in flower pots. Sifted soil is poured around the stem.
Care instructions
Caring for an indoor hybrid does not require special knowledge and skills. The main thing is to follow the basic rules:
- Water plants 2 times a week with warm, settled water. The soil in pots should always be slightly moist. Drying out the soil will harm the crop.
- Fertilize planting every 15–20 days. The Black Prince reacts favorably to feeding with liquid organic matter - mullein, droppings, ash solution. Mineral fertilizers are also applied that improve the taste of the fruit: superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, potassium salt.
- Loosen the soil Once every 2 weeks to a depth of 3–5 cm.The procedure makes the soil light and improves oxygen access to the roots.
- Spray bushes with Bordeaux mixture or copper sulfate solution 1-2 times per season to protect against diseases.
Important! The optimal temperature for growing indoor pepper is +22 °C. The Black Prince loves the sun and warmth, so gardeners place plants on a sunny windowsill. If there is little daylight, use a phytolamp. You can buy it in gardening stores.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
To grow a hybrid, keep the temperature from +10 to +22 °C. The Black Prince does not tolerate stuffiness, so it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room. It is important to avoid drafts, otherwise the plantings will freeze.
If plants drop their leaves, it means they do not have enough nutrition. In this case, a complex of mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and potassium is applied.
In summer, spiders or spider mites. Insects occur due to proximity to other indoor plants or poor soil disinfection. The drug “Fitoverm” (pictured) helps get rid of pests. It is effective in winter and summer, safe for humans.
Important! In September, after fruiting, the bushes are pruned by 1/3. Watering is reduced and the pepper is left in this form until spring. In mid-March, the hybrid is placed closer to the light and fed. With proper care, the Black Prince bears fruit for 8–10 years.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Black Prince hybrid is valued by gardeners throughout the country. They love the plant for its strengths:
Pepper looks original.- Easy to care for.
- Fruits in summer and winter.
- To grow, you need a clean container and some soil.
- Black and red fruits have good shelf life and can be transported over long distances.
- The hybrid rarely gets sick and is attacked by insect pests.
Interesting! Like sweet peppers, indoor Black Prince is a medicinal plant. Based on it, a healing tincture is made that treats colds and improves immunity. The fruits increase appetite, lower blood pressure, and promote fat burning.
Among the shortcomings noted the hybrid's demands on the level of light and heat. To get a rich harvest, the optimal temperature regime is observed. In a dark, damp and cool place, the Black Prince will not bear fruit.
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Reviews
Some gardeners grow homemade Black Prince peppers all year round, while others prefer more traditional varieties and hybrids.
Olesya, Sochi: “I plant an unusual pepper on the balcony. It always bears fruit well and is easy to care for. I have been growing for three years now. Every season I trim the bush by 10 cm, remove dry and yellowed leaves.".
Marina, Volgograd: “I love spicy dishes, so I decided to grow Black Prince peppers. The fruits are aromatic and spicy. I chop them finely and dry them on the windowsill. During the winter I add it to soups, salads and side dishes. The taste is incomparable".
Ilya, Moscow: “The hybrid Black Prince bears fruit poorly and the yield is low. I grew it on a bright windowsill, the bushes grew small and weak. I was left disappointed".
Conclusion
Black Prince is an indoor dwarf pepper. Gardeners value it for its ease of care and versatility in use. The fruits are added to first and second courses and used for winter preparations.
The taste is sharp and pronounced. The plants reach only 0.5 meters in height, so they are suitable for growing on a windowsill. Water the plantings 2 times a week with warm water, fertilize them once every 15 days. Small bushes and dark beaded fruits look original and appetizing.