Giant Marconi hybrid vs not?

[ddsack]

I've grown Giant Marconi hyb from TGS for the last 4 or 5 years, probably since I first saw them in their catalog. They do really well for me, and I can even wait them out until they turn red, not a sure bet with all peppers up north. They are listed as 63 dtm in the catalog, I'm sure mine take a bit longer than that.

I noticed in the Seed Savers Exchange public catalog, they have a sweet pepper listed as Marconi Red, picture and description are similar to the TGS hyb, at 70-90 days. Has anyone grown them side-by-side to see if they are really the same? Or at least grown the SSE Marconi Red and liked it?

I'll be starting my peppers this weekend, so probably not enough time to get an order in and back from SSE for this year. Guess I could order anyway and save for next year.

[shelleybean]

I've never grown Giant Marconi, the hybrid, but I have grown the original Red Marconi. It ripens to red late in the season and is very sweet. I have eaten them green, either fried or grilled and they're good that way, but much better after they turn red (or gold if you grow that one, I've had both). I'd say 70-90 days is about right for Marconi. For sweet peppers, I grow frying peppers and pimentos and they all ripen to their final color at about the same time for me. So I don't think these are late compared to other old varieties, but later than the hybrid you've been growing.

[montanamato]

ddsack...I have plenty of op marconi red seed if you want some...Just pm your address...I have enough to give you a sampler and you can order it next year if you like...I have not kept dtm records on it before, but in a good year I get ripe ones...Or I haul the container inside and get ripe peppers eventually...Nice , vigorous seedlings this year...My seed was Baker Creek from last year or the year before, but still germinating at near 100 %.

Jeanne

[ddsack]

Jeanne, Thanks! You have a PM!

Dee

[mouse]

Hi Dee,

Because a friend loves them, i have been struggling with Giant marconi for several years. Hope my experiences help you some.

From Ithaca in a microclimate with cool nights [ whereas in MN you may have some warm nights?] my experiences with Giant Marconi in 'hot, dry' years is blossom drop, in 'cool wet years' is plant becomes loaded with fruit, ripen a few delicious ones, just as frost hits third to last week of September.

If i could do 2 things:

1) set seedlings out in mid-May on beds mulched with IRT76 [infrared transmissible] plastic laid down in April to warm the soil, plus a low tunnel/slitted row cover to protect the seedlings from the last late frosts;irrigate accordingly

2) Give some protection from that first killing frost, after which there is a week or 10 good ripening days

Giant Marconi is well worth the trouble for yield and taste.

The new releases from Johnny, Carmen, Lipstick, seem to be shy bearing, in comparison.

Focusing on sweet frying peppers, my plan would include GYPSY hybrid to start the season. This cv is just a trooper. Then Giant Marconi. This year i am trying Jimmy Nardello's , said to somewhat latish? and Fushimi.

For various reasons, i am unable to use plastic to warm soil and extend seasons. So, GMarconi is about marginal in terms of ripening here in a so-called cool Z5. Say from 15 wonderful plants about 15-20 ripe peppers, 60-70 mature unripe, ditto immature little ones and more:

i.e. from setting out around June 1 in cool/cold soil, the plants need time to grow, branch, etc. and are just starting to pump out peppers from mid August onwards, when our short summer is already drawing towards a close!!!

m

[montanamato]

Mouse...I have the same problem in my garden...too hot and dry and then nights cool down...I have gone to putting my later riening ones into pots and have gained a lot in terms of quantity...Also peppers only get better as the fall goes on (unlike most tomatoes), so I don't mind hauling them in and out if need be...Jimmy Nardello is at least 10 days earlier for me than the larger Italian peppers , so hopefully you will get plenty !

Jeanne

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by mouse

For various reasons, i am unable to use plastic to warm soil and extend seasons.

That sure complicates giving advice.

Even a cube of 1" x 2" wood nailed together to form a 2' x 2' x 2' box with clear plastic stapled to it and just resting on the soil would possible save you from frost.