Black Pepper East Coast Native Variety Cutting Sapling

The pepper plant, a perennial woody vine, can ascend to heights of about 4 meters (13 feet) using support from trees, poles, or trellises. With a tendency to spread, its trailing stems take root readily upon contact with the ground. Leaves, positioned alternately, are whole and measure 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 inches) in length and 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 inches) in width.

The plant’s diminutive flowers emerge on drooping spikes, initially 4 to 8 cm (1.6 to 3.1 inches) long at the nodes, which can elongate up to 7 to 15 cm (2.8 to 5.9 inches) during fruit maturation. For optimal growth, pepper thrives in soil that retains moisture without becoming overly dry or prone to flooding. The soil should be well-drained and enriched with organic matter, while the altitude should not exceed 900 meters (3,000 feet) above sea level.

Propagation involves cuttings approximately 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 inches) in length, secured to nearby trees or climbing structures, spaced about 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) apart. Trees with rough bark are preferred due to their enhanced suitability for pepper plant climbing. To ensure favorable conditions, competing plants are removed, retaining enough trees for shade and ventilation.

Roots receive a covering of leaf mulch and manure, while biannual pruning of shoots is conducted. In arid conditions, young plants necessitate watering every other day throughout the initial three dry seasons. Fruit-bearing usually commences from the fourth or fifth year and persists for an average of seven years. Typically, the cuttings chosen are cultivars, selected for both fruit yield and quality.

A solitary stem can carry 20 to 30 fruiting spikes. Harvesting initiates as soon as one or two fruits at the spike base transition to a red hue, prior to full maturity when the fruit remains firm. Full ripening leads to reduced pungency, causing fruit to drop prematurely and become lost. Harvested spikes are laid out to sun-dry, after which the peppercorns are extracted from the spikes.