Allspice - beneficial properties, cultivation. How to grow black pepper yourself at home

Black pepper is widely grown in Latin American countries in the tropical zone. But if you wish, you can grow it here too.

Since pepper became an agricultural crop, poles are installed on plantations for it, like for hops, and this limits its growth to a height of 4-5 m.

The plant resembles a liana, as it entwines trees with its twigs, on which fruits grow. First the plant blooms, its flowers resemble hanging icicles, and then bears fruit with yellow and red fruits.

These black pepper fruits are useful to grow and eat for people who suffer from diseases of cardio-vascular system. Meat and fish dishes are also seasoned with black pepper. This is a hot plant for lovers of spicy dishes.

In the countries of Latin America and the islands close to it, they cultivate black pepper on plantations.

Black pepper is good for normal digestion. However, it should not be abused. It should especially not be eaten by people with stomach diseases.

Pepper is widely used in the kitchen different countries. In our country it is used for soups, marinades, all types of meat and sausages.

Sold in two versions: ground and beans. It is used as a spice to add piquancy and aroma to the dish.

The harvest is harvested when the fruits begin to turn red.

Beneficial features:

  1. Black pepper has antibacterial properties. Therefore, adding it to food keeps it fresh.
  2. Pepper enhances secretion of hydrochloric acid and the digestion process improves. Protects against colic, diarrhea and constipation.
  3. Helps people with overweight overcome kilograms. Due to its hot properties, pepper added to the right quantity, helps to lose weight with the right diet. It destroys fat cells in the body.
  4. Useful for skin diseases.
  5. Colds and coughs should be treated with black pepper. It provides relief from sinusitis and some nasal diseases.
  6. Is an antioxidant.
  7. Helps transport nutrients throughout the body.
  8. Helps with diseases such as hoarseness, joint pain, hernia, gangrene, ear pain, asthma, whooping cough and many others.
  9. Used in medicinal purposes since ancient times.

Contraindications for the use of black pepper:

  1. Stomach ulcer.
  2. Operations on the stomach and intestines.
  3. Use in large doses.

Growing black pepper at home is not difficult.

Growing black pepper at home

There are two main qualities of pepper - its pungency (due to piperine) and aroma (depending on the content of essential oils).

To do this, you need to buy black peppercorns in the store. It is sold in bags and is quite inexpensive. And from this bag you can grow good harvest. Growing, care, temperature regime, characteristics of growth, watering and harvesting - all this you need to know when growing black pepper.

  1. The plant needs to be provided with conditions in which it will be comfortable to grow. The first step is to ensure the correct temperature conditions. Black pepper grows at a temperature of +25°C and does not like sudden cold snaps. At temperatures below +10°C the plant will die.
  2. A potted plant can reach 2 meters in height with proper care.
  3. Black pepper bears fruit in its second year.
  4. Soil for the plant: heavy leafy and turf land, sand and humus.
  5. Pepper needs light, but not direct rays.
  6. Watering should be abundant summer and moderate in winter. Water the black pepper with water at room temperature.
  7. Reproduction occurs in several ways: layering, cuttings, division and seeds.
  8. Peppers bloom in April or May.

Tools you will need to grow black pepper at home:

  1. Peppercorns from a store-bought bag.
  2. A pot or cup made of cardboard.
  3. Thermometer.
  4. Water.
  5. Land with fertilizers.
  6. Chopper and shovel for transplanting peppers into the ground.
  7. Polyethylene film for covering.

For pepper, choose a bright place, protected from direct sunlight.

Technology for planting black pepper at home

  1. After purchasing black peppercorns, you need to select the largest ones and plant them in a pot.
  2. Before planting, they need to be soaked in water for a day.
  3. The air temperature for growing should be +25-30°C.
  4. It is better to plant a plant in a pot at the beginning of summer
  5. After the second leaf appears, it needs to be fertilized. It is best to use bird droppings for this. It needs to be defended in advance.
  6. After fertilizing, the black pepper needs to be planted in a large pot to give it more space. The pot should be kept on the windowsill in cloudy weather, and taken outside in sunny weather.

Features of black pepper:

  1. If on back side white eggs appear on the leaves, this is normal. Then they will turn black.
  2. There is so-called white pepper, which is also sold in peas. It is practically no different from black, except for the color of the shell. And this white shell is obtained by soaking peppercorns in water. The soaked pepper lies in water for 2 weeks, and then the shell is easily peeled and becomes white. Next, it is dried, after which it is ready for use. White pepper cannot be planted.
  3. Green peppers are also grown. It is obtained from unripe black fruits. By drying, its color remains green. Red is also obtained in the same way. But pink is a separate variety of Brazilian pepper.
  4. Only black peppers are suitable for planting; green, white and red peppers cannot be planted.

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Proper care of black pepper

  1. The plant grows on a window, and therefore it needs to be placed so that there is enough light. It is best on the east or west side, because on the north side there is little light, and on the south it can get burned.
  2. During the growing season, the temperature should be about 20-22 degrees, and in winter the temperature should be reduced to +18°C. It is not advisable to reduce it below 16°C.
  3. The plant loves moisture, so if the heating is constantly on, it can dry out the air, and the plant will get sick. It needs to be sprayed with water 2 times a day. This should be done less often in winter than in summer. In summer you need to water abundantly. You can pour water or peat onto the tray with the pot.
  4. In summer and spring, the plant is fed with mineral fertilizers.
  5. In winter, the plant is dormant. It is better not to disturb it, water it so as not to overdo it. Leave it in a bright place.
  6. Peppers are replanted every two years. It is better to take plastic pots, they retain moisture better.

Grow black pepper at home

It turns out that black pepper can be grown at home, and getting the seeds is simply elementary, just buy black pepper in the form of peas at any grocery store, select the largest peas, soak the peppercorns in water for a day and plant them in a pot, preferably plant them in early summer, after about a month the first sprouts from sprouted peas will appear (temperature regime 25-30 degrees Celsius) and do not believe those who say that it is black peppercorns undergoes heat treatment, peppercorns are dried in the sun in natural conditions.
After the second leaf, you need to fertilize the pepper - this will be a solution of bird droppings, left for a couple of days. After these steps, the peppers can be carefully transplanted into large pots. Keep the plant on a windowsill in winter and on outdoors in a warm sunny place.

Don’t be alarmed if you notice egg-like formations on the back of the sheet. white which then turn black is normal.

By the way white pepper this is the same black pepper, only mechanically peeled from the pericarp; usually, to obtain white pepper, freshly picked ripe pepper fruits are soaked in water (sometimes hot to speed up the process) for about one week. As a result of soaking, the fruit shell decomposes and softens, after which the fruit shell is separated and the remaining seeds are dried. You are unlikely to be able to grow anything from white peppercorns.

Green pepper, get from not ripe fruits black pepper. Dried green peas are processed in such a way as to preserve the green color, for example using sulfur dioxide or by freeze-drying (dry drying). In a similar way, pink (red) peppers are also obtained from ripe fruits (pink pepper from Piper nigrum must be distinguished from the more common pink pepper made from the fruits of Peruvian peppers or Brazilian peppers). Green peppercorns are not suitable for planting.

Instructions
1.First you need to select and prepare a place for planting. Pepper seedlings grow best in rich, moist soils and well-drained areas, so you should fertilize the soil to add nutrients. The soil pH level should be between 5.5 and 6.5. Lime should be added if the soil is too acidic.

2. Partially shaded areas should be chosen as plants may be damaged if exposed to too much sunlight. If the planting will be done indoors, then it is better to choose one that can have a temperature of 24 to 29 degrees, for example, it could be a sunny room with a partially darkened window.

3.Pepper is planted by seeds. Pepper seeds are placed below the soil surface to a depth of about one centimeter. If planting inside in pots, it is better to use pots with a capacity of at least 3 liters, as the pepper plant can develop extensive root systems.

4. Not everyone knows how to grow black pepper. It is necessary to control and maintain pepper during the first two to three years, as well as in the time between the first planting and the first flowers. The plant should be provided sufficient quantity water. The soil should always be moist, but not soggy, to help roots develop.

5.It is necessary to fertilize the soil from time to time to help retain rich nutrients in the soil. If the plant grows in pots and is usually kept indoors, you can take advantage of its portability and place it outdoors in a shaded area.

6.The pepper harvest appears six to eight months after the first flowering. To harvest black pepper, it must be harvested when it is still green. The peppers need to be boiled and then dried for several days in the sun. After this it will turn black. Store peppers in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Let's consider what allspice is and where its homeland is.
According to some sources, the islands are considered the birthplace of Pimenta officinalis and its varieties. Caribbean. Other sources name Central and South America and even India. Be that as it may, in all of the above geographical regions it successfully grows and is cultivated.

The Aztecs also used allspice as a seasoning and drank tea from it to improve digestion. And since the time of Columbus, this plant has spread throughout Europe and become popular. There was even a name "English pepper", which also meant allspice.

REFERENCE! Pimenta officinalis - large evergreen and can reach a height of 10 meters or more.

In countries where Pimenta officinalis is cultivated, it is grown on special plantations. The fruits are collected by hand before ripening.

The fact is that when ripe they quickly lose their flavor. They are then dried in a dryer or in the sun for 5-10 days. During this time, the color of the fruit changes from blue-green to brown, dark brown. And the peas become similar to the usual, familiar allspice.

On last stage processing, the fruits are cleaned and sorted. Next, allspice peas hit store shelves in whole or ground form.

You can see how it grows in the photo below:

What is the difference from black pepper?

REFERENCE! Black pepper is a vine.

Let's look at what allspice black pepper is.

Please note that fragrant and black are not names of the same thing, but completely different plants. Black (lat. Piper nigrum) – liana-like plant from India, belongs to the family Peppery. Whereas Pimenta is for the family Myrtaceae. Black peppercorns are small and wrinkled.

Allspice peas big. If you shake them lightly, you can hear the seeds rustling inside. The seeds themselves are dark brown. Looks like seeds bell pepper, but much larger. And the biggest difference between black and allspice is taste and aroma.

They smell different. In addition, black pepper has a hot, spicy taste. And the fragrant one is less hot, more fresh, and it seems to contain a whole combination of spices: notes of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are felt. Therefore, allspice is considered a universal seasoning and has wider uses in cooking.

Growing at home

Let's move on to the question of how to grow allspice at home.

Of course, it is extremely difficult to grow from a pea taken from a seasoning bag.

It's already dried. You need to get seeds, which can be purchased at gardening stores or at fairs.

It is best to plant this plant in the spring, in March-April, like other seedlings. You need to pre-soak them for a day in warm water(near 50 degrees). Due to the fact that the seeds have a strong skin, there is even a point of view that the skin needs to be pierced nail scissors to improve germination.

Next, sow in sand for germination. The sand must be kept wet at all times. Optimal temperature air: 20 -28 degrees. When the seeds germinate, they need to be transplanted into a separate container with nutritious soil.

It can be a mixture of garden soil, peat and soil with humus. Or you can buy ready-made soil. But since special soil for myrtaceae is hardly available, you can buy soil for palms. You need to plant deep 2-3 centimeters. If you plant in one container, the distance between seedlings should be at least 10 cm.

The plant does not like the cold very much, you need to place the container in warm and bright place. You can place a piece of glass or polyethylene on top to create Greenhouse effect. Don't forget about regular watering.

If the tips of the leaves turn black, this indicates that there is insufficient watering. And if they turn yellow, then, on the contrary, there is excess, or there is not enough in the soil. nutrients, or the air is too dry. A universal fertilizer for indoor flowers is quite suitable for feeding.

Later, the pimenta can be planted in the ground. This should also be done in the spring so that the plant has time to establish itself in the soil before the hot summer days begin.

Since this heat-loving plant, it is better to breed it in a greenhouse or on a glazed loggia.

You should not grow this plant in your country house or garden if the air temperature in winter drops below 10 degrees, because pimenta is southern guest.

The air temperature when you are landing should be at least 20 degrees. Distance between seedlings sweet pea– no less 14 see Replant the plant along with the soil in which it grew. This will help the adaptation process.

The danger is posed by pests: scale insects, whiteflies, aphids and everyone’s “favorite” spider mite. But, fortunately, there are means to combat these pests that have long proven themselves.

These can be folk remedies (for example, infusion onion peel), and chemicals from gardening stores.

Pimenta does not need in trimming. However, it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences when it begins to bloom. The plant loves light, warmth and Fresh air, however straight Sun rays may cause harm. As is the shadow.

Pimenta propagates by seeds. Ripe seeds are red.

About properties

Below are beneficial features allspice.

Allspice peas are high in essential oils. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C; minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium.

However, an allergic reaction to allspice is possible. And most importantly, it is hot spice. Therefore, you should not abuse it in large quantities.

As for its use in cooking, allspice, ground or in the form of peas, is added to many dishes, from dumplings and soups to fried meat, fish, and marinades. Allspice can also be added in small quantities to confectionery, fruit compotes, and puddings.

Popular author Joan Harris's novels Chocolate and Candy Slippers mention adding allspice to special chocolate recipes to give it a unique taste and "magical" properties.

Allspice helps with flatulence and in the treatment of rheumatism.

Allspice raw materials are used in medicine to create antiseptics, in the cosmetics industry, in the production of perfumes and soaps.

Allspice is different from other types of peppers and is produced from a special plant of the Myrtaceae family. He has unique properties, and a skilled gardener will be able to grow it himself.

In almost every kitchen there is such a spice as black pepper, but few people know that these pea-shaped fruits ripen on a climbing plant whose homeland is considered to be India (Malabar Islands). Black pepper is part of the Pepper family and the Pepper genus.

A little about appearance

This perennial vine can reach a length of about 15 meters in natural conditions. Oval leaves with a pointed end can have a length of 8 to 10 cm and are located on the trunk one after another (alternately).

Whitish and yellowish-gray small flowers collected on elongated racemes - inflorescences. Their length can vary from 8 to 14 cm.

Fruits - drupes - do not ripen at the same time, so harvesting can last for a long time. One bunch usually ripens from 20 to 30 peas.

To obtain the spice of black pepper, the fruits are collected in a slightly unripe state. They are then dried, causing them to shrivel and turn black.

Good to know: Green pepper is also made from the fruits of black pepper. These are simply very unripe and unprocessed fruits. White pepper is also the fruit of black pepper, from which the skin (pericarp) is removed and dried.

An interesting representative of the pepper is the Brazilian pepper, which produces pink peppercorns. The taste and smell of these beautiful fruits is somewhat reminiscent of ginger.

To start growing black pepper, you need to find good seeds, rooted cuttings or layering. It will not work to sow black peas, which are sold as spices, since they are harvested immature and undergo heat treatment.

Let's talk about properties

The properties of pepper have been valued at all times, because it has been used since the times of Ancient India. This spice has the following properties:

  • anthelmintic;
  • general strengthening;
  • diuretic;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • painkillers;
  • bactericidal.

Pepper helps in the functioning of metabolism, stomach, improves appetite, reduces blood pressure and prevents the formation of blood clots. It is advisable to use this spice for colds, fevers, obesity, depression, fatigue, vitiligo and fever.

But it’s worth mentioning some side effects. Since black pepper has a hot taste, it should not be used for diseases Bladder and kidneys, acute gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Healthy people should also not consume it in large quantities, as it causes severe irritation to the surface of the stomach, which can lead to illness.

Growing conditions

This plant is not considered very picky in care, provided that suitable conditions are created for it.

Pepper prefers not very bright, diffused light, since in its homeland it grows on tree trunks under the cover of leaves. The best place for it would be a window sill on a western or eastern window.

For lack of another place, you can put it on the north window, but then you will definitely need additional lighting. On southern windowsills, peppers must be protected from hot and strong sun. It is worth remembering that in the sun the leaves lose color and begin to fade.

During intensive growth, which occurs from March to late summer, it is advisable to maintain a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. With the beginning of September it is lowered to 19-20 degrees. IN winter time The optimal temperature is considered to be about 18 degrees, but lowering it below 16 is highly not recommended.

Take note: For normal development of black pepper, air humidity must be maintained at 70-80 percent.

When the humidity decreases, the plant begins to hurt and stops developing. Therefore, it requires regular spraying with softened or settled water. You can also place a shallow container filled with wet stones and moistened peat from time to time.

Care

For permanent cultivation and replanting, choose loose, permeable soil that contains a large number of nutrients. It will require:

  • leaf soil (one part);
  • turf (one part);
  • humus (one part);
  • peat (one part);
  • sand (one part).

Adult specimens are replanted at the beginning of spring once every two years, young plants - every year. Be sure to pour drainage at the bottom of the container, with a height of 1 to 2 cm. The diameter of the pot or container should be less than the height.

Black pepper needs feeding only when it is growing and developing rapidly (from March to the end of summer). They are carried out using fertilizers with microelements intended for decorative foliage flowers. The plant reacts to a lack of nutrients by dropping leaves.

Regular watering of this crop is carried out abundantly, but carefully, since excess water leads to wilting and yellowing of the leaves, as well as to the death of the plant.

How to grow black peppercorns at home, see next video:

This popular seasoning gives dishes a piquant spiciness and “colors” their taste. In addition, allspice has antibacterial properties and is widely used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology, folk medicine. Growing an exotic crop in our latitudes is difficult, but possible.

Origin and description of culture

The original name of this type of pepper is Jamaican, since its prevalence on the island of the same name is especially high. It is difficult to say which country in the Caribbean region is its homeland. The plant has long been widely cultivated in India, Turkey, and other countries South America, on the island of Cuba, Brazil. In European countries, the spice brought by Christopher Columbus quickly gained popularity due to its amazing strong aroma and spicy, hot taste, combining notes of the best spices - black pepper, nutmeg, mustard and cloves.

The Latin name of the crop is Pimenta officinalis L., therefore the name is synonymous with pimenta (translated from Spanish as a spice), and also with clove or English pepper. Pimenta officinalis - evergreen tree with shiny relatively large leaves oval shape with sharp ends. Due to their richness in essential oils, the leaves themselves also exude pleasant aroma. Plants reach 9 meters in height. They bloom with very small white flowers, male and female. The females develop into clusters of brownish-green berries containing 1 or 2 seeds. To preserve the aroma, they are removed precisely at this stage of maturity.

After drying, the peas become brown and rough - the allspice familiar to everyone. For culinary needs it can be ground into powder.

Differences from other types of pepper

In fact, pimenta has nothing in common with the usual culture of bell or hot pepper and is the dried fruit of the myrtle tree. Due to the partial similarity in the name, it is sometimes confused with black allspice peas. These are completely different plants.

Black allspice (Piper nigrum) is a vine from the Pepper family. The peas are small, black, wrinkled. In contrast, allspice peas are several times larger, and when you shake them, you can hear the rustling of the seeds inside. The taste of spices also differs: black pepper is hotter and hotter. The fragrant one is not only less hot, but also gives a whole bouquet of taste and aroma, as if it contains several different fragrant seasonings. In cooking, compared to black, it has more universal application.

Benefits and contraindications

The healing and beneficial properties of pimenta are due to the chemicals it contains:

  • the content of resinous aromatic substances in the product reaches 10% - this is what allows the seasoning to add an appetizing aroma to dishes;
  • essential oil makes up from 2 to 5%, it includes at least 60 odorous components;
  • pimenta is rich in resins, starch and tannin substances, fatty oils;
  • The product is rich in vitamins A, C, niacin, riboflavin and thiamines, potassium minerals, manganese, selenium, iron and magnesium.

Allspice is used for medicinal purposes:

  • How antiseptic, protecting the body from microbes, pathogenic bacteria;
  • to improve digestion - helps reduce flatulence, regulates both diarrhea and constipation;
  • Its saturation with essential oils allows it to be used in ointments to treat certain types of muscle pain.

The spice has no absolute contraindications. Harm from its use can be caused by overdose or individual intolerance to the product. Caution should be exercised when using allspice for food for those who have stomach or intestinal diseases (duodenal ulcers, reflux disease, spastic colitis, diverticulitis, maladjustment and ulcerative colitis).

You should not actively use the spice during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some studies suggest that eugenol may pose a risk of cancer, so people with cancer or a high risk of developing it may want to avoid eating allspice.

Application

Among culinary specialists, pimento peas are called “allspice”, which means seasoning for everything. They are added whole or crushed not only to first and second courses, meat or vegetable, but also to preserves, sauces, and even desserts and teas.

Ground allspice is a component of the famous curry seasoning.

The spice is also widely used in cosmetology:

  • rich aroma is used in the production of soap, bath foam, shower and perfume products, colognes;
  • antimicrobial properties of the product are used in deodorants and special detergents;
  • for the production of warming massage oils and hair strengthening products, pimenta fruits are also used - products with essential oil allspice rubbed into the skin, stimulating blood flow.

In folk medicine, the product is used less often than in cooking. Recipes using it are simple: for diarrhea, it is recommended to chew 1-2 peas, and for flatulence, add a few pieces to a cup when brewing.

Agrotechnical requirements

Growing an aromatic pimenta tree is possible independently, provided that the air temperature in winter does not fall below 10 degrees Celsius. There are no such places on the territory of Russia, so even in the southern regions and foothills of the Caucasus, fragrant berries can only be obtained in a heated greenhouse. Allspice grows under natural conditions tall tree, but in artificial ones remains small.

It will not be possible to get seedlings from dried peas; you need to purchase seeds for planting. good quality. In general, cultivation technology includes pre-sowing seed treatment, growing seedlings and transferring them to permanent place development and growth in a greenhouse or greenhouse.

The soil

In places of natural growth, the crop prefers well-drained light and medium soils with a neutral reaction. In the conditions of our country, it is preferable to purchase special soil for myrtle crops for pimenta. Since it is rarely found on sale, you can replace it with a store-bought one for palm plants. As a last resort, mix garden soil, humus and peat in equal proportions yourself.

Regular sand is suitable for planting seeds. It is advisable to heat it to kill bacteria.

Illumination

The place for germinating allspice seeds should be light, but special requirements The plant does not require light. An open southern window sill in the house is suitable. You can judge the sufficiency of light in the usual way by the type of seedlings - sprouts that are too extended towards the window certainly need additional lighting.

Temperature and humidity

Mature plant dies at air temperatures below +10 °C. For germinating seeds and forcing seedlings, the optimal temperature range is from 18 to 28 °C, which does not pose a problem in most heated rooms, especially if there is a heating radiator nearby. When transferring seedlings to the beds, it should also be warm - the thermometer should be at least 20 °C.

Pimenta loves high humidity and its lack in the air is “signaled” by the darkening of the tips of the foliage.

Subtleties of cultivation

It is quite possible to grow allspice at home. The reward, most likely, will be the fragrance of the fragrant, beautiful foliage of the tree, but it is unlikely that you will be able to get a harvest of berries. When cultivated in a climate different from the “native” tropical one, the plants usually do not bear fruit.

Another difficulty: pimenta is dioecious, so both male and female trees are needed to bear fruit.

Sowing time

Since allspice is not grown in our country in industrial scale and is found only in greenhouses and greenhouses; there are no agronomic recommendations for its independent cultivation. Amateur gardeners usually begin work in the spring - in March-April.

Seed selection and pre-planting preparation

It is easier to grow an allspice tree from a ready-made seedling. But you can try to make it yourself from seeds. They are soaked in water at a temperature of 50 °C and left in a warm place so that it does not cool down. There is no point in extracting seeds from dried fruits; you need good quality seed material purchased from a place worthy of trust.

Sowing and emergence of seedlings

Pre-soaked seeds are first germinated in damp sand at an air temperature of at least 20-28 °C. The sand substrate is constantly kept moist. The container with seeds is covered with polyethylene or glass to create a greenhouse effect.

After germination, the seedlings are carefully transferred to nutrient soil. It is advisable to plant immediately in separate containers, but if this is not possible, the pimento is planted at a distance of 10 cm from each other, deepened by 2-3 cm.

Features of care

Containers with sprouts are constantly kept in a warm and sufficiently lit place. As far as the size of the container and the sprouts themselves allow, they continue to cover them with transparent material, creating a greenhouse effect.

By the appearance of the leaves you can judge whether watering is sufficient: darkened tips indicate that there is not enough water, yellowed tips indicate excess moisture, lack of nutrition from the soil or too dry air. To feed the seedlings, you can use ordinary universal store-bought fertilizer for house flowers.

After a year or two, the pimento can be transplanted to a permanent place, moving it along with a lump of earth. Young plants need periodic light shading; adults respond gratefully to the abundance of sunlight.

At the end of winter, the growth of the allspice tree slows down, at which time dry, dead and broken branches are removed.

Feeding is applied once a year in the spring, before active growth begins. A mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in slow-soluble granules, taken in equal proportions, is raketed into upper layer soil to a depth of 8 cm (at the rate of 10 tablespoons of granular mixture per square meter). Then water thoroughly.

Watering is carried out when the top few centimeters of the soil dry out, avoiding stagnation of water.

Diseases and pests

Allspice is susceptible to attack spider mite, whiteflies, scale insects, round green aphids, possible infection powdery mildew. To treat a plant that requires so much attention and care in our climate, which is too cold for it, it makes no sense to risk using folk remedies, the effectiveness of which may be in question. It is better to use proven insecticides.

Harvesting

Outside of Jamaica and Grenada, pimenta yields decline, likely due to soil conditions in those areas. It is impossible to obtain fruits from trees grown outside tropical or subtropical climates. If there is such an opportunity and, thanks to the planting of male and female trees, fruits have begun to set, they are harvested at the stage of immaturity, when they still have green color and the strongest aroma. Ripe berries turn purple.

After harvesting, the fruits are dried in the sun for a week. Store and use like regular store-bought allspice.

Pimenta - a guest from far away southern countries- may well take root in our area, protected from the cold. The tree is unlikely to bear fruit and, most likely, will not bloom without the conditions of the “favorite” tropics, but even without this it is beautiful, fragrant and will become the pride and decoration of the greenhouse garden.