Black Knight sweet kapya pepper

10 Seeds

Black Knight Sweet Kapya Pepper is a unique heirloom sweet pepper that produces long, pointed Kapya-type fruits. The peppers develop a deep purple to nearly black color before ripening to bright red. They have thick, sweet flesh with little to no heat, making them excellent for roasting, grilling, stuffing, fresh salads, and cooking. This variety thrives in the Gulf climate when grown during the cooler months and performs well in gardens, containers, greenhouses, and hydroponic systems.

Best Planting Time

• August to October (recommended)
• January to February (for protected greenhouse cultivation)
• Avoid outdoor planting when daytime temperatures consistently exceed 40°C.

Seed Preparation

• Soak seeds in warm water (25–30°C) for 8–12 hours before sowing.
• Optional: soak in diluted seaweed extract to improve germination.
• No cold stratification is required.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Coco peat
• 30% Compost
• 20% Garden soil
• 10% Perlite

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–6.8

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds in seed trays or nursery pots.
• Plant seeds 0.5–1 cm deep.
• Cover lightly with fine soil or vermiculite.
• Keep the growing medium evenly moist until germination.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 25–30°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 20–30°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• During extremely hot Gulf afternoons, provide 30–40% shade cloth.

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist during germination.
• Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Avoid overwatering and ensure good drainage.

Germination Time

• 7–14 days
• Under cooler conditions, germination may take up to 21 days.

Transplanting

• Transplant seedlings when they have:
  • 4–6 true leaves
  • Height of 15–20 cm
• Space plants:
  • 45–60 cm apart
• Space rows:
  • 60–75 cm apart

Harvesting

• Harvest begins:
  • 75–90 days after transplanting
• Harvest fruits when they are deep purple-black for a unique appearance, or allow them to ripen to bright red for maximum sweetness.
• Regular harvesting encourages continuous fruit production.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during August to October for the best yields.
• Apply organic mulch to keep the soil cool and conserve moisture.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced fertilizer during vegetative growth, then switch to a fertilizer higher in potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruit development.
• Protect plants from hot desert winds and intense afternoon sunlight.
• Black Knight Sweet Kapya Pepper performs exceptionally well in greenhouses, containers, and hydroponic systems.