This crop performs well when night and day temperatures are between 16-18 °C and 20-25 °C respectively. Sweet pepper grows best on sandy-loamy soils with good drainage and pH between 6-6.8. High levels of nitrogen are required by the plant early in the growing season, with supplemental applications after the fruit initiation stage. This crop is a heavy potassium and calcium feeder. Potassium is removed at a rate ~50% higher than nitrogen. Calcium deficiency inevitably produces "blossom-end rot" of the fruit.