Sow indoors February through April, approximately eight to ten weeks before last frost. Place seed 0.5–1 cm deep in fine free-draining mix, maintain 24–30°C, and keep evenly moist without saturation. Emergence generally takes 7–14 days. After germination provide intense light, pot up as needed, and harden gradually before planting outdoors once nights remain reliably mild.
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Organic open-pollinated sweet pepper with multicoloured marbled fruit; not heirloom
Solanaceae
Organic hot pepper seeds
Organic marbled ‘Blot’ sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Blot’)
Capsicum annuum ‘Blot’
Blot is a compact organic open-pollinated sweet pepper with thick crisp fruit spectacularly marbled in several colours.
Quantity
About 25 seeds
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
Species
chinense
Cultivar
Blot
Type
Organic open-pollinated sweet pepper with multicoloured marbled fruit; not heirloom
Cycle
Annual in Quebec climates; frost-tender perennial where frost-free
Organic marbled ‘Blot’ sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum ‘Blot’) is an Eastern European sweet pepper distinguished by thick, crisp, juicy fruit. Colour changes from green into an evolving blend of cream, lavender, purple, orange, and red, so several shades may appear on one fruit. The Biologiquement Vôtre workbook lists approximately 25 seeds, height of 45–60 cm, and spread near 40 cm. The lot is declared organic, open-pollinated, and not heirloom. Two specialist seed companies identify Blot as Capsicum annuum, correcting the old supplier field that stated C. baccatum.
Sow indoors February through April, approximately eight to ten weeks before last frost, 0.5–1 cm deep. Maintain 24–30°C and even moisture; emergence requires approximately 7–14 days. After germination provide intense light, pot up as needed, and harden gradually. Transplant after all frost risk into full sun and fertile, organic-rich, well-drained soil. Its compact habit suits small gardens and a 15–20 L container per plant.
The supplier workbook places harvest around 70 days after transplanting. Wait until fruit is firm, fully developed, and marbled in several colours to enjoy its strongest visual effect and sweetness. Crisp flesh suits salads, crudités, sandwiches, grilling, stir-fries, and stuffed peppers. Clip the stem and harvest regularly to support continued production. Exact fruit dimensions, guaranteed weight, precise lot origin, and disease resistance remain unconfirmed.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Approximately 0.5 to 1 cm (¼ to ⅜ in)
Spacing / density
Approximately 40 cm (16 to 20 in) between plants and 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 in) between rows
Establishment temperature
24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F)
Establishment time
Approximately 7 to 14 days
Best planting time
February through April indoors; transplant after frost once nights remain above approximately 12°C
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow 0.5–1 cm deep in light mix eight to ten weeks before last frost. Maintain 24–30°C and even moisture until emergence, then provide 14–16 hours of strong light. Pot up at several true leaves without deeply burying the stem. Harden for 7–10 days and transplant once soil is warm and nights remain above approximately 12°C. Space 40 cm apart, water immediately, stake if needed, and remove first flowers only if the plant remains very small.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun in a warm sheltered location
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
10°C (50°F)
Watering
Keep seed-starting mix evenly moist during germination without saturating cells, then let the surface dry slightly between waterings once seedlings establish. After transplanting, water deeply at soil level once the top two or three centimetres begin to dry. Alternating drought and excess water causes blossom drop, stalled fruit, and uneven tissue. Mulch only once soil is warm, water in the morning, and avoid wetting foliage. In containers check daily during heat but never leave standing water in the saucer.
Soil type
Choose deep loose soil rich in mature compost and very well drained, able to retain even moisture without remaining cold or waterlogged. Peppers succeed at slightly acidic to neutral pH approximately 6.0–7.0. Warm the bed before transplanting and avoid fresh manure, which encourages overly soft growth. In heavy soil use a raised bed. Rotate three to four years away from tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and other peppers where soil disease has occurred. A soil test allows organic matter and nutrients to be adjusted without excess.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting and use balanced organic fertilizer only according to a soil test or label. During establishment moderate nutrition supports sturdy plants. Once flowering begins avoid high-nitrogen doses that produce many leaves but delay fruit set and ripening. If a container plant pales despite proper watering, apply one low balanced liquid dose then reassess after a week. Never feed dry mix, do not allow salts to accumulate, and stop late applications when remaining warm-season time cannot ripen new fruit.
Seasonal care
In spring keep seedlings warm under strong light and pot up before roots circle cells. Harden gradually then transplant after frost. In summer mulch once soil is warm, tie plants loosely if bending, and harvest regularly. Monitor aphids, whiteflies, and mites, especially under protection. In autumn move containers inside during cold nights or cut loaded branches to finish colouring indoors; discard diseased or rotten fruit.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
15 to 20 L (4 to 5 gal) per plant
Use one deep stable 15–25 L container per plant with numerous drainage holes. Fill it with rich but very free-draining mix and install a strong stake immediately. Set the container in the warmest sunniest site, ideally near a heat-radiating wall or under bright protection. Water deeply once the top two or three centimetres dry without leaving water in the saucer. Feed moderately, rotate the pot for balanced growth, and move it inside when nights approach 12°C to help the final fruit ripen red.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
White to greenish red
Foliage color
Dark green tinged with green; young plants sometimes strongly green
Foliage type
Herbaceous
Growth rate
Moderate to fast in warm conditions
Bloom period
Small greenish-red blossoms during the warm season
Fruiting
Crop of crisp juicy sweet peppers developing shifting marbled colours at maturity
Harvest
Clip fruit with small clean scissors once firm and uniformly glossy red. Final colour may remain red rather than pure red, so also watch for the end of colour change. Wear gloves and avoid touching eyes or face. Taste a minute quantity before adjusting a recipe and clean utensils separately. Promptly refrigerate sound fruit, keep it away from children, and discard anything soft, mouldy, split, or abnormal-smelling. Saved seed is not guaranteed true to the cultivar.
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Eggplant, carrot, onion, peas, tomato
Avoid planting with
Bean, fennel
Very hot sauces, labelled dried blends, and tested preserving recipes
From the garden to inspiration.
Pale pineapple and Blot pepper salsa — Wear gloves. Chop 300 g pineapple, 100 g cucumber, 40 g onion, and lime juice. Add one very small pepper fragment first, mix, and wait several minutes before tasting a small portion. Increase only if needed. Season lightly and refrigerate until serving. Do not serve to children or sensitive people; refrigerate leftovers within two hours and discard any mixture left too long at room temperature.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
No. Blot is grown as a sweet pepper for thick, crisp, juicy, sweet flesh. Its spectacular colours do not signal increasing heat; they reflect ripening and natural fruit pigments. It therefore suits salads, crudités, sandwiches, grilling, stir-fries, and stuffing, subject to individual preferences and allergies.
Young fruit begins green, then cream, lavender, purple, orange, and red areas appear as it ripens and receives light. The exact combination varies among fruit. Wait for well-developed colour and firm flesh for the best presentation. A soft, brown, wet, or mouldy area is not normal marbling and affected fruit should be discarded.
Yes. Its compact habit suits a 15–20 L container per plant with several drainage holes and rich free-draining mix. Place it in full sun to encourage colour, check moisture daily during hot weather, and water deeply without standing water. Feed moderately and add a small stake if branches carry several heavy fruit.
The supplier workbook places maturity around 70 days after transplanting. Harvest once fruit is firm, fully developed, and shows several marbled areas rather than uniform green. Clip the stem rather than pulling the branch. Regular harvest supports continued production. Discard anything soft, mouldy, deeply split, or abnormal-smelling.
Its strengths, naturally.
Plants that attract butterflies
Butterflies
