BLACK PEPPER PRODUCTION GUIDE

Black pepper can be grown on almost all types of soil but best in loose, well-drained loamy soil. It grows best in warm humid climate and in elevation above sea level. It can be propagated either by seeds or by stem cuttings but the most widely used system is by means of stem cutting.

Plow the land once and harrow twice. Use stake support posts at a distance of 3 meters x 3 meters apart. Plant seedlings at the distance of 35 cm from the post with two seedlings opposite each other. A one hectare land can accomodate 3,150 seedlings. Open spaces between rows maybe utilized for other kind of cash crops as additional income for the planter. It should be planted in one row one meter away from the black pepper rows.

Cultivate whenever necessary. The compactness of the soil, the exposure of the principal roots and the existence of weeds are the requisites for proper cultivation. You have to remove the growing weeds near the base of the plant. You can apply ring weeding. When the seedling reached the height of 2 feet high, nip off the tips of the growing vines to induce branching. Continue until the vines have reached the top of the post. You can prune unnecessary branches to give way to more lateral branches to grow. Pruning is also use for unproductive branches.

Black pepper does not require extensive application of fertilizer, but it is a must to let the plants have fast growth and development especially thus areas with poor soil. Apply 100 grams of complete fertilizer six months after planting. Apply 220 grams of 14-14-14 after one year. After two years, apply 600 grams of complete fertilizer.

Spraying insecticides is one way of controlling the presence of pests to the plants. Apply pesticides at the rate of 1 tablespoon for every gallon of water. Any presence of diseases should be attended carefully. In case of infection, collect and burn infected leaves to avoid contamination.

During harvesting, see if the peppercorns in a spike begin to mature in about 5 months. Pick when it become cherry red or when the color turn from dark green to shiny yellowish green. It can be done by twirling the spike with one hand while the other is holding the peducle. Place the harvested spikes in an open basket. You can harvest once a week during sunny days. Avoid breaking the lateral branches.

After the harvest, removed the ripe berries from the spikes and spread it to the mat for drying. Continue turning the berries during the drying time. When the color turned black, the spikes can be threshed and stored in well dry areas.