Description
AAS WINNER DETAILS
Winner Type: National
Class: Pepper
Variety Name: Mad Hatter F1
Genus: Capsicum
Species: baccatum
Year: 2017
Common Name: Bishops crown pepper
Type: Edible – Vegetable
Breeder: PanAmerican Seed
Close Market Comparison: Balloon, Bishops Crown
PLANT NEEDS
Duration Type: Annual
Light Needs: Full sun
Water Needs: Normal
Season Type: Warm season
Staking Required: No
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Foliage Color: Green
Plant Habit: Bushy
Plant Height: 36-48 inches
Fruit Color (Harvest): Red
Fruit Shape: Flattened-disc shaped fruit has lobes or wings
Fruit Size: 2-3.5 inches by 2-2.5 inches
Fruit Weight: 1.4-1.7 ounces
Fruit Flavor Description: Fruit has a delicate floral scent and rich flavor that intensifies and sweetens as it matures.
Number Of Fruits Per Plant: 40-50
IN THE GARDEN
Garden Spacing: 2-3 feet
Days To Harvest (Direct Sowing Seed): 110-120
Days To Harvest (Transplant): 65 to 70 mature green; 85 to 90 ripe red
Plant Spread: 2-3 feet
HOW TO GROW
Sow in flats or plug tray at least 5-6 weeks before the target date for transplanting outside, temperatures above 65°F are preferred for germination. Transplant into larger plug tray or small pot (3-4 inches) approximately 3-4 weeks after sowing or when at least one true leaf has developed. Maintain medium soil moisture and use a complete fertilizer after transplant. Wait to transplant outdoors until night temperatures are over 45°F and there is no threat of frost, as cold temperatures will cause severe damage. Transplant outdoors in full sun at least 2-3 feet apart, plants require staking. Water and feed with complete fertilizer regularly.
AAS Winners
Felder Rushing –
Because my cottage gardens both in the southeast US and England are too small for me to play around in, I farm out new introductions to see which I can count on myself. One of my most avid experimental gardeners just showed me his HUGE plant, completely loaded with fruits, grown in the torrid, humid (so thick you can lick it) Mississippi summer. When I chew an entire pepper it does have a twinge of warmth, not enough for my pepperhead taste to call hot. It’ll be in my garden next year for sure as much for ornament as food; I expect to freeze a lot for winter and spring cooking!
Gardening Jones –
Everything C. L. said and more. Also in the Northeast and we only broke 90F once. Seriously, how are we supposed to grow warm weather crops? But I like this pepper for an additional reason, it’s a survivor. When our other varieties succumbed to pests, Mad Hatter came through unscathed. Got to admire that! Read more about this and other AAS Winners here: http://gardeningjones.com/blog/2018/04/02/2017-aas-winner-review-mad-hatter-pepper/
C.L. Fornari –
I was so thrilled with this pepper it is now on my “must grow this every year” list. In fact, I wrote a blog post about it, which included my favorite way to cook this fruit: http://bit.ly/mad_hatter_pepper Why did I love it? First of all, it was easy to grow from seed. Secondly, the plants were very ornamental all season…I’m even considering planting this in one of my flower gardens or in pots on the deck next year because they are so attractive. But of course flavor is extremely important with edibles, and this one passes that test too. It wasn’t a bit spicy for me – sweet and flavorful. Finally, it did well for us this past summer in my Northeast garden even though the season was cool and damp.