Let's get started - sweet peppers...favorite varieties

**nctomatoman** · February 6, 2006

Since moving to NC, we've found that peppers do best in pots. And, slender or frying peppers yield far more than bells.

So, given that, here are my favorite sweet peppers -

Lipstick, Super Shepherd, Sweet Hungarian, Gypsy hybrid, Orange Bell, Golden Marconi.

One of the most beautiful peppers I've grown is Islander (JSS, very similar to Bluebird, Stokes). It ripens from a pale yellow to incredible lollipop lavendar - then to orange, then red. I worked at dehybridizing it a few years ago, and ended up with 5 distinct types - ivory ripening orange red, ivory ripening butter yellow, green ripening black purple, lavendar ripening red, and lavendar ripening yellow. For whatever reason, I suspended this project - wonder if my 1997/8 saved seeds are still any good (I even named 4 of the selections).

One of the best flavored bells is the Chocolate Bell that Stokes sells - it is quite expensive. I've not grown it in some time.

Woodenzoo · February 6, 2006

Good to hear that about the Chocolate bell, I'll be growing it for the first time this year.

Why not quit wondering about those old seeds and give them a try! :wink:

**nctomatoman** · February 6, 2006

No room and no great success with bell peppers in NC - so I may just ask if anyone is very good with working with older pepper seeds and has a hankering for trying out some of my selections......I don't have all that many seeds, and the key would be that any results would be communicated and fresh seed returned....

let's see if this note entices anyone!

Love2Troll · February 6, 2006

In order:

Spanish Spice Hybrid
Cubanelle
Gypsy (the Euro OP one)

Blacken the pods quickly on a hot grill, throw in paper bag for a few min to steam & then remove the now loosened burnt skin. A propane torch works just fine too.

All 3 of the above are quite good in the unripe stage, but are much better flavored when fully ripe.

Pasilla Bajio might not be considered a 'sweet' by most, but is an outstanding pepper when dried and used for flavoring soups, stews, etc.

montanamato · February 6, 2006

I am excited to be planting both Lipstick and Fish for the first time this year.
Bells do so-so at best here too. I have good results with Italian frying types and Thai peppers. I too have been switching to containers...seems the more jammed together they are, the better they produce.
Last year I had some beautiful Trinidad seasoning and Romanian. Also my favorite was an upright type that was incredible, thick walled, hot and then quickly subsides. It did not fit my descriptions so I hope it pops up again this year and I have it labeled!
My all time favorites are Franks, Jimmy Nardello, Sheepnose and Georgescu Chocolate.
Keep thinking I have ordered Marconi and haven't. Next year and Sandia sounds good too.
Jeanne

**nctomatoman** · February 6, 2006

I am trying Jimmy Nardello, Cubanelle and Italia for the first time this year. Really looking forward to the first harvests - not pleased with having to fork over 2.99-3.99 per pound for the colored sweet bells!

montanamato · February 6, 2006

Apparently, I can't read...disregard the hot peppers mentioned.
Back to sweet peppers. Has anyone had good luck with the mini bells? I am trying the yellow minis this year and hope they will be bountiful.

Jeanne

Catntree · February 6, 2006

My fav. sweets:

Gypsy, lipstick, Islander, most of the italian frying, esp. Giant aconcagua and giant marconi, Albino bullnose, blushing beauty hybrid, big bertha.

Woodenzoo · February 7, 2006

lol
I'm in the same boat with you Craig! No room! I'm growing too many tomatoes and a few peppers (9 different varieties, which is probably about 8 too many for my space!)
I love the colored peppers, but like you, don't want to spend the money on them at the store.
Would like to see you get some takers on that offer though!

GManess · February 7, 2006

No room and no great success with bell peppers in NC - so I may just ask if anyone is very good with working with older pepper seeds and has a hankering for trying out some of my selections......I don't have all that many seeds, and the key would be that any results would be communicated and fresh seed returned....

let's see if this note entices anyone!

__________________________________________

Craig, I'd be willing to give it a shot (even if I am in NC). Will gladly return fresh seed in the event that I am able to get a grow out from them. LMK, Thanks, Gary

michael johnson · February 7, 2006

This realy is becoming the best forum ever:- first Tomatoes, then Peppers and Aubergines , absolute heaven what more could a person wish for, I am realy beginning to enjoy this forum.

Last year I grew a lot of peppers and egg plants but had a lot of trouble with some insects eating big holes in the leaves just as though they had been shot with a scatter gun through the leaves ( could this be flea beetle ?.) as I was never able to catch the actual culprit on the plants any help on this matter would be appreciated.

PaulF · February 7, 2006

My favorites are the sweet peppers:
cuneo
giant aconcagua
franks sweet
georgescu
This year I am trying Buran and Hercules Yellow Golden and Orange Sun.

My daughter-in-law loves hot peppers so for the last couple of years I have expanded into the hottest I could find. I tried:
Thai Flaming Dragon and Habenero

This year I will add because I have also become addicted to the hot stuff: Fatalii, Fish (had to try that one because of the name), orange habenero and punjab lol.

Craig, I would love to try some your old seeds, but this year's space is pretty well tied up. If you have any leftovers and no one else wants them, I will grow them out next year.

Paul Fish, who loves tomatoes and peppers and this new forum.

Adenn1 · February 8, 2006

I found that I have just as much success with peppers in containers as I do in the ground...that being said, let me share my experience.

I had good success with Spanish Spice...great production and woderful for cooking or grilling. I tried a small variety called Jingle Bells...miniture bells that was not worth the garden space...more of a novelty than anything else. I also grew two bells...California Wonder and Purple Beauty...production was okay...will have to try the Chocolate that Craig referred to.

Also had two Paprika plants that did very well...dried them and for the first time last week ground some for a Hungarian dish...the fresh, home-grown Paprika was wonderful and I will never buy it at the store again!
Sweet Banana is a favorite...woderful for salads.

Have to end with a couple comments on a few of the hot peppers I grew. I had one Serano plant...grew to a about 4' tall and produced a ton of nice peppers---I dried a lot and gave a lot away. Lastly, my Jamaican neighbor came over last spring and asked if I would grow a habenero for her...she had started the plant from seeds she brought back from a trip to see family in the Negril area. I gladly placed it in the garden...and it produced some dangerously hot peppers. I did not use them...but found out the hard way about simply handling these beasts. She used them to make her home made jerk seasoning...and was grateful for my help. I was treated to wondeful jerk chicken and pork on serveral occasions..

shelleybean · February 10, 2006

I have not had good luck with bells here either so I gave up on them. When I want a sweet pepper with thick walls, I use the pimento types like Sheepnose or Doe Hill. I like both of those varieties and they produce well for me. They also store well. My husband and son don't eat peppers so the smaller size works well for me too. I also do well with frying peppers like Marconi, but I usually have to wait a long time for them to ripen fully to red or gold.

Joel5000 · February 11, 2006

I'm growing miniature chocolate bells (seed from Victory) this year, along with Red Cheese peppers, and a nice pepper called Neopolitan that did real well for me last year. They're a smaller frying type pepper that are delicious both green and fuly ripened to a reddish orange. Also have seeds for a large red from Baker Creek, Quadrato d'asti rosso (or something like that), that I'm looking forward to trying.

February 6, 2006	#1
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Let's get started - sweet peppers...favorite varieties Since moving to NC, we've found that peppers do best in pots. And, slender or frying peppers yield far more than bells. So, given that, here are my favorite sweet peppers - Lipstick, Super Shepherd, Sweet Hungarian, Gypsy hybrid, Orange Bell, Golden Marconi. One of the most beautiful peppers I've grown is Islander (JSS, very similar to Bluebird, Stokes). It ripens from a pale yellow to incredible lollipop lavendar - then to orange, then red. I worked at dehybridizing it a few years ago, and ended up with 5 distinct types - ivory ripening orange red, ivory ripening butter yellow, green ripening black purple, lavendar ripening red, and lavendar ripening yellow. For whatever reason, I suspended this project - wonder if my 1997/8 saved seeds are still any good (I even named 4 of the selections). One of the best flavored bells is the Chocolate Bell that Stokes sells - it is quite expensive. I've not grown it in some time. __________________ Craig

February 6, 2006	#3
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	No room and no great success with bell peppers in NC - so I may just ask if anyone is very good with working with older pepper seeds and has a hankering for trying out some of my selections......I don't have all that many seeds, and the key would be that any results would be communicated and fresh seed returned.... let's see if this note entices anyone! __________________ Craig

February 6, 2006	#6
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	I am trying Jimmy Nardello, Cubanelle and Italia for the first time this year. Really looking forward to the first harvests - not pleased with having to fork over 2.99-3.99 per pound for the colored sweet bells! __________________ Craig

February 6, 2006	#8
Catntree Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 177	My fav. sweets: Gypsy, lipstick, Islander, most of the italian frying, esp. Giant aconcagua and giant marconi, Albino bullnose, blushing beauty hybrid, big bertha. __________________ Zone 4/5

February 7, 2006	#10
GManess Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Greensboro, N.C. Posts: 70	Re: No room and no great success with bell peppers in NC - so I may just ask if anyone is very good with working with older pepper seeds and has a hankering for trying out some of my selections......I don't have all that many seeds, and the key would be that any results would be communicated and fresh seed returned.... let's see if this note entices anyone! __________________________________________ Craig, I'd be willing to give it a shot (even if I am in NC). Will gladly return fresh seed in the event that I am able to get a grow out from them. LMK, Thanks, Gary

February 6, 2006	#2
Woodenzoo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio z6 Posts: 141	Good to hear that about the Chocolate bell, I'll be growing it for the first time this year. Why not quit wondering about those old seeds and give them a try! :wink:

February 6, 2006	#4
Love2Troll Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 64079 (Missouri) Posts: 252	In order: Spanish Spice Hybrid Cubanelle Gypsy (the Euro OP one) Blacken the pods quickly on a hot grill, throw in paper bag for a few min to steam & then remove the now loosened burnt skin. A propane torch works just fine too. All 3 of the above are quite good in the unripe stage, but are much better flavored when fully ripe. Pasilla Bajio might not be considered a 'sweet' by most, but is an outstanding pepper when dried and used for flavoring soups, stews, etc.

February 6, 2006	#5
montanamato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 1,038	I am excited to be planting both Lipstick and Fish for the first time this year. Bells do so-so at best here too. I have good results with Italian frying types and Thai peppers. I too have been switching to containers...seems the more jammed together they are, the better they produce. Last year I had some beautiful Trinidad seasoning and Romanian. Also my favorite was an upright type that was incredible, thick walled, hot and then quickly subsides. It did not fit my descriptions so I hope it pops up again this year and I have it labeled! My all time favorites are Franks, Jimmy Nardello, Sheepnose and Georgescu Chocolate. Keep thinking I have ordered Marconi and haven't. Next year and Sandia sounds good too. Jeanne

February 7, 2006	#11
michael johnson Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK. Posts: 960	This realy is becoming the best forum ever:- first Tomatoes, then Peppers and Aubergines , absolute heaven what more could a person wish for, I am realy beginning to enjoy this forum. Last year I grew a lot of peppers and egg plants but had a lot of trouble with some insects eating big holes in the leaves just as though they had been shot with a scatter gun through the leaves ( could this be flea beetle ?.) as I was never able to catch the actual culprit on the plants any help on this matter would be appreciated.

February 7, 2006	#12
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	My favorites are the sweet peppers: cuneo giant aconcagua franks sweet georgescu This year I am trying Buran and Hercules Yellow Golden and Orange Sun. My daughter-in-law loves hot peppers so for the last couple of years I have expanded into the hottest I could find. I tried: Thai Flaming Dragon and Habenero This year I will add because I have also become addicted to the hot stuff: Fatalii, Fish (had to try that one because of the name), orange habenero and punjab lol. Craig, I would love to try some your old seeds, but this year's space is pretty well tied up. If you have any leftovers and no one else wants them, I will grow them out next year. Paul Fish, who loves tomatoes and peppers and this new forum.

February 8, 2006	#13
Adenn1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philly Posts: 559	I found that I have just as much success with peppers in containers as I do in the ground...that being said, let me share my experience. I had good success with Spanish Spice...great production and woderful for cooking or grilling. I tried a small variety called Jingle Bells...miniture bells that was not worth the garden space...more of a novelty than anything else. I also grew two bells...California Wonder and Purple Beauty...production was okay...will have to try the Chocolate that Craig referred to. Also had two Paprika plants that did very well...dried them and for the first time last week ground some for a Hungarian dish...the fresh, home-grown Paprika was wonderful and I will never buy it at the store again! Sweet Banana is a favorite...woderful for salads. Have to end with a couple comments on a few of the hot peppers I grew. I had one Serano plant...grew to a about 4' tall and produced a ton of nice peppers---I dried a lot and gave a lot away. Lastly, my Jamaican neighbor came over last spring and asked if I would grow a habenero for her...she had started the plant from seeds she brought back from a trip to see family in the Negril area. I gladly placed it in the garden...and it produced some dangerously hot peppers. I did not use them...but found out the hard way about simply handling these beasts. She used them to make her home made jerk seasoning...and was grateful for my help. I was treated to wondeful jerk chicken and pork on serveral occasions..

February 10, 2006	#14
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	I have not had good luck with bells here either so I gave up on them. When I want a sweet pepper with thick walls, I use the pimento types like Sheepnose or Doe Hill. I like both of those varieties and they produce well for me. They also store well. My husband and son don't eat peppers so the smaller size works well for me too. I also do well with frying peppers like Marconi, but I usually have to wait a long time for them to ripen fully to red or gold. __________________ Michele

February 11, 2006	#15
Joel5000 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 43	I'm growing miniature chocolate bells (seed from Victory) this year, along with Red Cheese peppers, and a nice pepper called Neopolitan that did real well for me last year. They're a smaller frying type pepper that are delicious both green and fuly ripened to a reddish orange. Also have seeds for a large red from Baker Creek, Quadrato d'asti rosso (or something like that), that I'm looking forward to trying.