Anyone grow these kinds of peppers?

[skeeter9]

I've never grown peppers before - mainly because I really didn't know what to do with them. Since everyone else seems to grow them I decided that I would do some research on how to use them, and try growing a few. I was snooping on Ebay the other day and came across a couple of Italian heirloom peppers that sounds really good: Marconi red pepper and Corno di Toro Giallo. Anyone have any experience with these? From what I read, the Marconi are very sweet and the Corno di Toro are considered a sweet pepper, but have a touch of spiciness. . .

 

[lesa]

I have grown the Marconi's for several years! They are wonderful. Small plants, absolutely bending over with the weight of all their fruit. They taste delicious, and are great for freezing. I had 23 pounds in the freezer after harvest! Since they are huge, they are perfect for stuffed pepper recipes. I would highly recommend these peppers!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I grew the Giant Red Marconi last year and liked them. Nice flavor, good size, and decent but not really great thickness of walls. I'd recommend you try them.

I have not tried the Golden Marconi or the non-giant regular Red Marconi, so I can't give an opinion on those. But the Giant Red Marconi sweet pepper is up there with Super Shepherd in my book. I have not tried the others.

 

[skeeter9]

Thanks for the info on the marconi, lesa and Ridgerunner. Good to know that someone with experience actually thinks they are good! I think I'm going to buy the seed and give them a try. Lesa, how many plants did you have?

 

[lesa]

I think I had about a dozen... a few regular bells mixed in. But they produced next to nothing, compared to the Marconi's.

 

[joz]

I've started some Corno di Toro Rossis this year. Haven't ever done before, but they sounded interesting in the catalog, so here goes!

 

[skeeter9]

Well, Joz, nothing ventured nothing gained. I think I'm going to order those as well and see what happens. I think the Rossi's are red and the Giallo's are orange, but from what I've read they are pretty much the same otherwise.

Lesa, you got that many pounds from about a dozen plants? That's crazy!

 

[lesa]

I was truly shocked! They just kept coming. I was still picking peppers in November!! Unheard of, here. I still need to eat an awful lot of peppers this winter, to even make a dent in them!

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

let me guess, are these coming from a person from Ohio? i had great luck with his seeds if it is him! out of all the tomato varieties his germinated and grew very strong! i didn't get a chance to start the peppers i got from him last year though.

 

[digitS']

. . . I think the Rossi's are red and the Giallo's are orange . . .

Corno di Toro has been in my garden but I don't know if it was one of these sub-varieties or not, Skeeter. I have to say that it was probably the most prolific pepper I've ever grown! It was not one of the thickest walled tho' . . .

The Marconi is just great and the Giant Marconi is my favorite sweet pepper, very flavorful. It isn't terribly productive and, I'm sorry to say, Giant Marconi is a hybrid.

You have gotten a good deal of encouragement for the Marconi - put my vote in that column, too !

Steve