Grower Facts Ornamental Pepper Black Pearl , Purple Flash, Calico
(Capsicum annuum)

Germination
Cover seed lightly. Germination takes 5-7 days.

Plug Production
Plug Tray Size
Ornamental peppers are well-suited to 288-cell or larger plugs.
Stage 1 (Radicle emergence/5 to 7 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 72 to 76°F (22 to 24° C).
-Keep medium evenly moist but not saturated (level 4).
-Cover the seed lightly with coarse vermiculite.
-Light is not necessary for germination until radicle emergence.
-Maintain soil pH at 5.5 to 5.8 and soluble salts (EC) at less than 0.5 mmhos/cm (using 2:1 extraction).
-Keep ammonium levels less than 10 ppm.

Stage 2 (Stem and cotyledon emergence/7 to 10 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 70 to 75°F (21 to 24° C).
-Allow the medium to dry out slightly (level 3) before watering for best germination and rooting.
-Provide light levels of up to 2,500 f.c. (26,900 Lux) for the remainder of plug production.
-Begin fertilizing at rate 1 (less than 100 ppm N/less than 0.7 mS/cm EC) from 14-0-14 or a calcium/ potassium nitrate feed once cotyledons are fully expanded.
-Alternate feed with clear water.

Stage 3 (Growth and development of true leaves/10 to 14 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 70 to 75°F (21 to 24° C).
-Avoid wilt.
-Increase feed to rate 2 (100 to 175 ppm N/0.7 to 1.2 mS/cm EC) from 14-0-14 or other calcium / potassium nitrate fertilizer. Fertilize every 2 to 3 irrigations.
-Chemical growth regulators cannot be used on peppers.

Stage 4 (Plants ready for transplanting or shipping/7 days)
-Maintain soil temperature at 68 to 70°F (20 to 21° C).
-Provide medium soil moisture and avoid wilt.
-Maintain soil pH at 5.5 to 5.8 and soluble salts (EC) at less than 0.75 mmhos/cm.
-Continue to fertilize with 100 to 175 ppm N from 14-0-14 or calcium/potassium nitrate feed as needed.

Growing On to Finish
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a medium initial nutrient charge and a pH of 5.5 to 6.3.
Temperature
Nights: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Days: 68 to 80°F (20 to 26°C)

Peppers will be damaged by temperatures below 45°F (7°C). Prefer temperatures as warm as possible.

Light
Provide light levels as high as possible. Peppers prefer high light with warm temperatures. Foliage colors will be more intense under higher light levels and high temperatures.

Fertilization
-Fertilize at every other irrigation with 20-10-20 at rate 3 (175 to 225 ppm N/1.2 to 1.5 mS/cm EC).
-Maintain medium electrical conductivity around 1.0 mmhos/cm (using 1:2 extraction).

Controlling Height
-High light levels and spacing will keep plants from stretching.
-We do not recommend the use of chemical plant growth regulators on ornamental peppers and in many parts of the world, use of these chemicals is prohibited on these plants.

Container Size
1801 pack: 1 plug per cell
4 to 4.5-in. (10 to 11-cm) pot: 1 plug per pot
6-in (15-cm) pot: 1 to 3 plugs per pot
1-gallon (18-cm) pot: 1 to 3 plugs per pot

Crop Schedule (Spring Production)
Plug stage: 4 to 5 weeks
Transplant to foliage only, no fruit: 9 to 10 weeks
Transplant to mature fruit: 16 to 20 weeks
Note: Crop time for mature fruit will be 4 to 5 weeks shorter during Summer production.

Green Thumb Tips
Tips for Landscapers and Gardeners
Location: Full sun
Garden Height:
Black Pearl: 14 to 18 in. (35 to 45 cm); may grow 2 to 3 ft. (60 to 90 cm) or taller in warmer areas with longer growing seasons.
Purple Flash: 13 to 15 in. (33 to 38 cm)
Calico: 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm)

Garden Spread:
Black Pearl: 12 to 16 in. (30 to 40 cm)
Purple Flash: 19 to 21 in. (48 to 52 cm)
Calico: 14 to 16 in. (35 to 40 cm)