Overview

MAMP Black V3 (*Capsicum chinense*) grown the regenerative way in Zone 10a. This is a heat crop (up to 500,000 SHU) — steady biology-first feeding produces the best pods and the least stress.

This guide follows Korean Natural Farming principles: build living soil first, then feed the plant *by growth stage* using fermented, farm-made inputs. No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

Soil Preparation

Timing: 2–4 weeks before planting

Start with the biology. Collect and culture Indigenous Microorganisms IMO Stage 2 — Sugar-Stabilized Liquid and work finished IMO into the top few inches of your sandy soil. Sandy Florida soil drains fast and holds few nutrients — build organic matter aggressively: 2–3 inches of compost plus a thick carbon mulch (wood chips, leaves) to keep the microbe zone moist.

Inoculate the bed with LAB Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LAB) diluted 1:1000 to accelerate decomposition and suppress pathogens.

Municipal water note: dechlorinate before applying LAB or IMO — let water sit uncovered for 24 hours or aerate vigorously, since chlorine kills the microbes you're introducing.

Planting

Timing: Spring, Zone 10a

Transplant after nights stay above 55°F. In Zone 10a that usually means late winter through spring — peppers can run as perennials in frost-free years.

Water in transplants with a seed-soak / rooting drench: LAB Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LAB) 1:1000 plus OHN KNF Maintenance Foliar (FPJ + OHN + BRV) 1:1000. Mulch immediately — bare soil is a fertility leak.

Nutrition Schedule (KNF stages)

Match inputs to the growth stage (Master Cho's nutritive cycle):

- Vegetative growth: FPJ Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) 1:500 foliar weekly + FAA Fish Amino Acid (FAA) 1:1000 for nitrogen.
- Transition / flowering: ease off nitrogen; introduce WCA Seed Priming Soak (WCA + OHN + LAB) 1:1000 to set strong flowers.
- Fruiting: switch to FFJ Bud-Break Spray (WCA + FFJ) 1:500 and continue WCA Seed Priming Soak (WCA + OHN + LAB) — calcium during fruiting prevents blossom-end issues.
- All stages: OHN KNF Maintenance Foliar (FPJ + OHN + BRV) 1:1000 every 7–10 days for immunity, LAB Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LAB) 1:1000 as a soil drench monthly.

Municipal water note: dechlorinate before applying LAB or IMO — let water sit uncovered for 24 hours or aerate vigorously, since chlorine kills the microbes you're introducing.

Pest & Disease

Healthy biology is the first defense — most pest pressure signals a nutrition imbalance.

- Foliar LAB Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LAB) + OHN KNF Maintenance Foliar (FPJ + OHN + BRV) weekly keeps leaf surfaces colonized by allies.
- Hand-pick hornworms and caterpillars at dusk.
- Aphids: blast with water, then follow with a LAB foliar; ladybugs arrive if you don't spray poisons.
- Fungal spots in humid Zone 10a: improve airflow, water at the base in the morning, apply LAB foliar.

Harvest

Harvest pods at full color for maximum heat and flavor — clip, don't pull. Regular picking pushes the plant to keep producing.

Save seeds from your best performer and log them in the NIMS Seed Bank — local adaptation compounds season over season. Feed the plant a post-harvest LAB Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum (LAB) drench to help it recover.