How to Plant Black Pearl Peppers

Starting Black Pearl From Seed

• 1

  Start seed indoors, four to six weeks prior to the last frost date in your area. Seeds can germinated under a dual 40-watt fluorescent lighting system, 6 to 12 inches from the lights. A heat mat can provide the bottom heat germinating peppers love. The root system develops in five to seven days.

• 2

  Keep the seeds moist, but not get soggy. Black Pearl peppers need more water than regular peppers but should never sit in soggy soil. Water gently by misting or watering from the bottom. A covering, such as a plastic dome over the container, helps maintain soil moisture and humidity when sprouts appear.

• 3

  Fertilize plants with a half-strength liquid plant food or weak organic solution, such as compost tea. Fertilizer may be applied by misting or bottom fertigation. The first set of leaves (cotyledon) will appear in seven to 10 days.

• 4

  Harden off the Black Pearl seedlings gradually when they have developed two sets of true leaves. When outdoor temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above, place the seedlings outside for a few hours and gradually increase the time every day.

• 5

  Plant into a permanent, full sun location when temperatures outside remain at 60 F or more, and nighttime temperatures do not fall below 50 F. Black Pearl peppers are suitable for growing in large containers.