Chinese Giant - A productive bell pepper
 

Thought I'd take a minute and share my experience with Chinese Giant. I've never had luck with bell peppers in the ground or in containers, until now. Since I've read posts from others over the years stating their frustration with bells as well, I decided to post a pick of the plant I have currently. The pot is only 10" so I'm guessing that may impact size of the peppers. Haven't had a ripe one yet so will have to wait to find out. Including tiny ones starting out I have about 10 growing on this plant.

Another pic of the same plant:

Thanks for sharing! : ) I have looked at getting Chinese Giant but have so much trouble growing bells I didn't order any seed. After seeing your pics think I may have to remedy the situation and get some. Nice looking plants. Keep us updated on how it does and what it looks like. : )

Very nice, thanks for the pics! I've never actually heard of Chinese Giant- it may be something I should look in to.

After several years of less than fantastic results with this pepper , I am still trying and hoping for success, but with low expectations.

Jon:twisted:

The Burpee website recommends thinning the peppers for larger fruit size. I've never done that with a pepper, and I wouldn't have he heart since I rarely get more than a few per plant.

HEIRLOOM. Burpee introduced.
Full Description
Sweet Chinese Giant was twice as big as the largest bell pepper of its day. Plants are a compact 24" tall. Fruits are usually 4 by 4", but Mr. Burpee pointed out that if you thin the fruits, they can grow 5" across and 6" long. Truly remarkable then and now.



[QUOTE=OmahaJB;574221]Thought I'd take a minute and share my experience with Chinese Giant. I've never had luck with bell peppers in the ground or in containers, until now. Since I've read posts from others over the years stating their frustration with bells as well, I decided to post a pick of the plant I have currently. The pot is only 10" so I'm guessing that may impact size of the peppers. Haven't had a ripe one yet so will have to wait to find out. Including tiny ones starting out I have about 10 growing on this plant.[/QUOTE]

That makes sense greenthumbomaha. But like you I don't think I have the heart to thin the peppers out. I'll probably just be using them for a pizza topping or maybe omelets. I think the size will be stunted as the first ones haven't gotten much bigger than in the picture yet. If this plant lasts as long as my Elephant's Ear, maybe I can test out the thinning method.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'll update when I have more to share.

This is the first one I've picked so far. The size didn't increase much from the first pic, mostly due to lack of fertilizer, but also partly due to the fact I didn't thin them out. It was nice and juicy, with decent mild flavor. When I originally posted I wasn't even thinking about the other two Chinese Giant plants I have. I'll try the thinning method with them, and next time I'm shopping I'll buy some fertilizer. Once I know how many seeds I've saved I'll try coming back and offering seeds to those who want some, and will post in the seeds available forum probably.

Glad you finally got to taste one. Hummm not so much of a giant was it. I wonder if thinning really has much impact in growing bigger bells. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought especially bells only produced so many fruits per plant and that a low number and if you thin, you may not have any fruits. I've grown bells before like Keystone Giant and don't think they even got as large as your Chinese Giant.

I've grown several types of sweets and had no problem with them. There is just something about bells. Like there is some sort of secret procedure to get them to grow and produce.

[QUOTE=Starlight;580683]Glad you finally got to taste one. Hummm not so much of a giant was it. I wonder if thinning really has much impact in growing bigger bells. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought especially bells only produced so many fruits per plant and that a low number and if you thin, you may not have any fruits. I've grown bells before like Keystone Giant and don't think they even got as large as your Chinese Giant.

I've grown several types of sweets and had no problem with them. There is just something about bells. Like there is some sort of secret procedure to get them to grow and produce.[/QUOTE]

Yes, it was a small one, the others on the same plant are even smaller and a couple are turning red so they wont be getting bigger either. From what I understand with containers I'll need to focus more on fertilizing than I have been.

I'm also growing Yellow Monster, but it's more of a pipsqueak, not sure how big it'll get. Another one needing more fertilizer. Learning as I go. I used slow release fertilizer but it must have been used up by the time the peppers and tomatoes started growing.

I'm growing Yellow Monster also; it is just a really young plant so no fruit set. I bought the seeds b/c I wanted a Yellow Monster; also growing Emerald Giant for the same reason.

I get really decent size bells from Charleston Bells. There is nothing special to grow them.

I had really big Ajvarski peppers - like a mix between a Bell and Marconi.

I get really large Marconi's but am finding right now with the heat, they are all smaller. All still producing; vs tomatoes pulled in June with no fruit set since May.

Right now I'm having lots of spoilage from what looks like a bug bite. Haven't sprayed; also haven't grown this many peppers EVER.

Barb, do you grow in containers or in the ground? I've heard containers are better for them, and maybe that's why I finally have had good production. I never had luck with growing them in the ground, Just have to make adjustments to get larger peppers.

I'll keep the ones you mentioned in mind for the future.

I'll post this here first, then if there are no takers will post in the seed offer forum. I've dried and bagged the seeds from the first Chinese Giant pepper, if I counted right 270 (or 275?) seeds, and have seeds from the second pepper drying now. Anyone interested PM me and I'll send seeds out to at least five people. It may take a few days before I get around to it, but they'll be posted within the next week for sure. Nothing needed in return. Figured those reading this thread would be the ones most interested in the first place, so that's why I posting it here first.

I would be happy to grow some of your saved seeds next summer if you are willing to share them. I grew them a few years ago in large black pots I got from local landscapers that just threw them out. I used Neptune's harvest fertilizer exclusively and often as peppers are nutrient hogs. (I have no affiliation with that company.)

I start pepper seeds in December and January in Massachusetts so that is when I would start your seeds for the following season.

I too, had never really had any luck with bells but my experience with growing super hot peppers has changed all of that!

PM me if you are interested in a companion grow out of your seeds.

[QUOTE=OmahaJB;580818]Barb, do you grow in containers or in the ground? I've heard containers are better for them, and maybe that's why I finally have had good production. I never had luck with growing them in the ground, Just have to make adjustments to get larger peppers.

I'll keep the ones you mentioned in mind for the future.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, I never saw this until now. I grow all peppers / tomatoes in containers (nematodes). Peppers are very forgiving and year round for me in Florida; Mainly RootPouches, but Walmart Bags, and have a set in EB too.

Was also thinking of the "GIANT" aspect and I have Marconi Giants and even before the weather was really hot (90), they were smaller than regular Marconis.
The "GIANT" is the smaller one and has a rounded tip.

Interesting Barb! Never would have guessed Giant Marconi would be smaller than the regular one.

Bell's Hell
 

[QUOTE][I]. . . have so much trouble growing bells . . . [/I][/QUOTE]Glad to know I'm not the only one. My guess is that one needs to have an artesian well or live on the banks of a river or on the edge of a rain forest in order to plump out that wet flesh.

[QUOTE=swellcat;582858]Glad to know I'm not the only one. My guess is that one needs to have an artesian well or live on the banks of a river or on the edge of a rain forest in order to plump out that wet flesh.[/QUOTE]

I never had any luck growing peppers in our family garden since I was 5 years old. Fast forward a few hundred years and I have my own garden. Lots of things except peppers, and many different tomatoe (lol) plants. While at Wally world one day, i see a Bonnie habanero plant that i reluctantly buy thinking it was the poor plants death sentence. It was. It flowered a lot and produced nothing. Somehow I brought it in for the winter to sit near herbs on the bay window. (I knew nothing about over wintering) It looked like 3 sticks in the pot. The following April i just set it out on the south side of my house and about 2 months later it became Godzilla. I just fed it once in a while with fish ferts. I had that plant for 3 years and looking back, that was the one that taught me how to care for peppers!

2 years after that I started about 12 Chinese giant seeds during January indoors. ONE germinated. I scoffed.

That summer I had the first ever giant green and red bells that I grew from seed myself. The curse was broken! In the end, I realized that all plants are the same and as foolish as this may sound, they will let you know what they need. I also learned that being active in a community like this will show just how much we as gardeners/growers are the same. Same doubts, questions, problems, interest, excitement, and PRIDE we have in nurturing nature.

After that Bonnie Habanero, I was bitten by the heat bug. I have grown many hot and super hot pepper varieties and I can conclude one thing. Peppers are temperamental and attention hogs more than water and nutrients. Complement them every once in a while and see how they thank you back!

I only wish that i had the smarts to take pictures back then...

Happy growing!

I have a question. I was in grocery store yesterday and while looking at produce seen these huge peppers. I mean huge. I have long hands and what folks call piano fingers they so long and I picked one of them peppers up and it was bigger than my hand.

They had the box sitting on the floor as they were stocking them. On the box it said Select Giant. The peppers are big green bells. Is there such a pepper with that name or is it the Chinese Giant maybe renamed? I almost got one to see about saving seeds from, but didn't know if peppers that been refrigerated would produce viable seed or not?

[QUOTE=Starlight;582883]I almost got one to see about saving seeds from, but didn't know if peppers that been refrigerated would produce viable seed or not?[/QUOTE]

I think refrigerated seeds would be viable. I'm sure I've done this with my own peppers.

I tried germinating seeds from a frozen Jalapeno pepper that were in the freezer for 2 years and didn't have any luck. I could probably have done some things to assist, but tried germinating them in a wet paper towel which I find more reliable than mix.

[QUOTE=Calcat36;582872]I never had any luck growing peppers in our family garden since I was 5 years old. Fast forward a few hundred years and I have my own garden. Lots of things except peppers, and many different tomatoe (lol) plants. While at Wally world one day, i see a Bonnie habanero plant that i reluctantly buy thinking it was the poor plants death sentence. It was. It flowered a lot and produced nothing. Somehow I brought it in for the winter to sit near herbs on the bay window. (I knew nothing about over wintering) It looked like 3 sticks in the pot. The following April i just set it out on the south side of my house and about 2 months later it became Godzilla. I just fed it once in a while with fish ferts. I had that plant for 3 years and looking back, that was the one that taught me how to care for peppers!

2 years after that I started about 12 Chinese giant seeds during January indoors. ONE germinated. I scoffed.

That summer I had the first ever giant green and red bells that I grew from seed myself. The curse was broken! In the end, I realized that all plants are the same and as foolish as this may sound, they will let you know what they need. I also learned that being active in a community like this will show just how much we as gardeners/growers are the same. Same doubts, questions, problems, interest, excitement, and PRIDE we have in nurturing nature.

After that Bonnie Habanero, I was bitten by the heat bug. I have grown many hot and super hot pepper varieties and I can conclude one thing. Peppers are temperamental and attention hogs more than water and nutrients. Complement them every once in a while and see how they thank you back!

I only wish that i had the smarts to take pictures back then...

Happy growing![/QUOTE]

Hey Calcat,

Curious, do you soak your seeds in a bowl of water overnight before sowing? I always had trouble with pepper seeds before I started soaking the seeds like that. Now I soak all seeds, regardless of what I'm growing.

I do not soak seeds at all. I sow in moist soil and keep the soil moist but not drenched though until the plant pops. I also use heating pads under the trays that I got from HD or some place like that. I have a good success rate this way so I go with it. I have no objection to soaking. I just never tried it.

[QUOTE=Calcat36;584478]I do not soak seeds at all. I sow in moist soil and keep the soil moist but not drenched though until the plant pops. I also use heating pads under the trays that I got from HD or some place like that. I have a good success rate this way so I go with it. I have no objection to soaking. I just never tried it.[/QUOTE]

Only reason I asked is because you mentioned having an issue a couple years ago with germinating Chinese Giant. In the past I only used a little Jiffy or Planter's Pride greenhouse to germinate but after having difficulty with pepper seeds older than a year, and even some tomato seeds, I decided to start placing them in a bowl of water overnight. I've seen a big improvement since. They say the seeds that don't sink after being in the bowl of water overnight aren't viable, but I've had luck with even some of them.

I've had really good luck with the paper towel method. Put seeds in a wet paper towel and then place in a sealed baggie. For cucumbers, I get germination < 24 hours, peppers in a couple of days. When you see the seed has germination, transplant to your mix. The best part with peppers is I never get helmet heads anymore.

I'm going to start my tomato seeds later this month only using this method. Then when I transplant, I will just do one per cell.

Transplanting Paper-Germinated Sprouts
 

[QUOTE][I]When you see the seed has germination, transplant to your mix.[/I][/QUOTE]

Do you plant root-down, with the seed partially above the mix?

Completely covered and packed under the mix?

[QUOTE=swellcat;585025]Do you plant root-down, with the seed partially above the mix?

Completely covered and packed under the mix?[/QUOTE]

I just place on the side and completely cover it just like a regular seed sowing.

Thought I'd ask if any of those I sent seeds to last year had success with them? Germination, productivity, size, taste, etc. Just curious. I have the rest of last year's seeds in the fridge in case I get to grow again.

Not sure who I got the seeds from but they grew beautiful plants but the peppers were on the smallish side. Had good flavor just small.

I grew them this year. Thanks Omaha! They germinated exceptionally well and grew well too. Like Spike, I too had smallish peppers from my Chinese Giant which tasted good. I had expected them to be large, but it was no big deal. None of my pepper plants were big this year either. Some years I need to stake them, but I guess it wasn't a great pepper year for me.

Linda

[QUOTE=Starlight;582883]I have a question. I was in grocery store yesterday and while looking at produce seen these huge peppers. I mean huge. I have long hands and what folks call piano fingers they so long and I picked one of them peppers up and it was bigger than my hand.

They had the box sitting on the floor as they were stocking them. On the box it said Select Giant. The peppers are big green bells. Is there such a pepper with that name or is it the Chinese Giant maybe renamed? I almost got one to see about saving seeds from, but didn't know if peppers that been refrigerated would produce viable seed or not?[/QUOTE]
About 5 years ago I saw the biggest red bell in the store that I've ever seen, it was huge! I saved seeds and have grown them. I call them Macoupin Monsters now... and they are still the biggest bell I grew this year.
O