Real Pepper

The real pepper grows as a climbing plant on trees and is grown on climbing aids like bean stalls. After about three years, the inconspicuous flowers ripen into red-skinned, five-millimeter-thick pepper fruits when fully ripe. Green pepper is obtained from unripe fruits, black pepper from dried, fully ripe fruits and white pepper is obtained by removing the outer shell of the fruit. The pepper gets its appetite-stimulating and digestive spiciness from the stored alkaloid piperine, which activates the heat and pain receptors and reflexively causes saliva to form and the release of digestive enzymes. Real pepper can be kept indoors all year round without any problems. In the kitchen: the strong, spicy aroma of pepper unfolds best when the grains are freshly ground. Black pepper is hot. White pepper tastes milder and green pepper is even milder and more aromatic. Pepper goes well with meat dishes, fish, salads, sauces, soups, vegetables and marinades.

Natural site
The pepper originally comes from the front Indian coastal strip of the Malabar coast in southwest India and has spread to Indonesia and Malaysia through the spread of Indian culture. The largest growing areas are now in Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Brazil and Malaysia.

Cultivation Indoor
cultivation is possible all year round. In order to increase the germination capacity of the seeds, they should first be allowed to soak in water at room temperature for 12 hours. Press the seeds into moist potting soil, which you have mixed with sand to a quarter beforehand, and cover them with the seedling substrate. Cover the cultivation vessel with cling film, which you have provided with holes. This protects the earth from drying out. Every two to three days you should remove the film for 2 hours. This prevents mold from forming on the potting soil. Place the cultivation vessel in a bright and very warm place with 25 to 30 ° Celsius and keep the cultivation soil moist, but not wet. Depending on the growing temperature, the first seedlings appear after two to six weeks.

Location
Pepper plants want to be warm and bright, but not permanently in full sun. Since the plant loves humidity, it should be sprayed regularly with water that is low in lime.

Care
At the beginning, choose a smaller pot with a diameter of 12 centimeters and transplant in small steps every three years. Provide your plant with a climbing aid right from the start. The need for water is limited due to the thick, fleshy leaves. Water regularly, but avoid waterlogging due to residual water in the saucer. From April to September you should provide the pepper plant with potted plant fertilizer every 14 days.

Winter
Even in winter, the Piper nigrum loves a bright and warm place not below 15 ° Celsius. Continue to water regularly and avoid waterlogging. Falling leaves are replaced with new buds in spring.