Patchwork Pepper Seeds

This heatless striped pepper from Cornell University breeders Lauren Brzozowski, Emily Rodekohr and Michael Mazourek represents the fruit of seeds passed between breeders and seed keepers over time. In their search for a snacking pepper high in anthocyanins and flavor, Lauren, Emily and Michael sought to marry qualities from several varieties: Fish pepper, an heirloom treasured for its variegation, and for its deep roots with Black farmers and cooks in the Mid-Atlantic; Czech Black, a nod to Michael’s ancestry, with a deep garnet-purple color and lingering sweetness concealed behind its fiery heat; Lipstick, a delicious snacking pepper popular for its broad adaptation; and Corno di Toro, with its tapered “horn of the bull” shape. 

Of the many peppers that evolved from this project, we shared our favorites with chefs and farmers across the country for evaluation. Patchwork consistently stood out for its flavor, which spans notes of green apple and caramel; its juicy, crisp texture; its abundance; and of course, its stunning variegated fruit and leaves.

Days To Maturity

65 days from transplant to “stripe ripe”

Appearance

• — 3-3.5” in length, with dark stripes on an orange to red background. Fully red fruit are past their peak but still delicious. 
• — Peppers begin purple and green before maturing into their “stripe ripe” state. 

Field Notes

• — Recommended for indoor or field production. 
• — Soil Requirements: Fertile, well-drained soils with an optimal pH of 6.5. Phosphorus and calcium will boost yields and prevent blossom end rot.
• — Plant Support: When they reach 1' in height, stake pepper plants to provide additional support for ease of harvest. 

Spacing After Transplanting

• — Plant spacing: 18”
• — Row spacing: 2’

 Transplanting

• — Start seeds indoors 5-6 weeks before transplanting. (Some growers prefer to start seeds ~2 weeks earlier and add an additional step of transplant into 4” pots.)
• — Germinate on a heat mat for 7+ days (optimal soil temperature: 75-85 ̊F). Maintain consistent moisture. 
• — Move transplants outdoors to harden off gradually for 3-5 days, protecting seedlings from wind, strong sun, hard rain and cold.
• — Transplant outdoors 2-4 weeks after last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 70°F.

 Direct Seeding

Not recommended

Pest + Disease Info

• — Insect Pests: Monitor carefully for tarnished plant bugs, climbing cutworms, aphids, and flea beetles.
• — No resistance to bacterial wilt spot or tobacco mosaic virus.
• — Control insect pests with biological control or organic insecticide such as pyrethrin, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.
• — Use best management practices such as drip irrigation and moisture management, crop rotation, removal of post-harvest crop debris and proper air circulation to prevent common diseases.

 Harvest 

Let the colors of the pepper be your guide to optimal harvest; pick regularly when stripes are visible on an orange to red background. Fully red fruit are past their peak but still delicious.  

Storage

Store whole and dry in plastic under refrigeration. Peppers will store one week, maintaining flavor and crispness. 

Perfect as is—or cook quickly over high heat with olive oil, salt and a splash of water.