Wijnen Square Crops, in Grubbenvorst, is the location for this interview about Maduro peppers. The company owns a total of 27 hectares for this variety and another 11 for Atalante peppers. The owner Twan Wijnen and the cultivation manager Jeu Rutten explained a few things about the Maduro's cultivation.
After being introduced on a trial basis in 2012, Maduro started being grown at Wijnen. In 2013 we had 16 hectares and this has now expanded to 27 hectares. "Maduro is a vigorous variety, at its prime especially in the summer," said Jeu. "For us, as generative growers, the Maduro was a logical choice. Additionally, the quality is excellent. The best part about the Maduro is its uniform and rigid shape, the thickness of its walls, a nice and even colouring and its weight in the summer, about 195-200 grams," explains Twan. "This weight, which is ± 15 grams lower than that of the Maranello, makes Maduro perfectly suited for the flowpack, allowing us to offer added value further down the chain."
The variety's cultivation continues to prosper. "Crops 2 and 3 arrived in very quick succession, and the good weather led to an abundant harvest. The first hard fruit per stem from the third crop we wanted to harvest while still green, but circumstances did not allow it. By doing this, we wanted to put the vegetative growth on hold, and prepare for a fourth crop a week later. "Despite the delay, the Maduro has performed as expected." In terms of production, we are well on schedule; compared to last year, we are even 1.5 to 2 kg ahead," said Jeu. "And the future production looks promising."
Twan and Jeu are really pleased with the Maduro. "Maduro is not really friendly," said Jeu. "It requires close attention and needs steering, but with the proper attention, it does well in all areas."
"The real power of Maduro should now be clear. With this summer weather, it can really stand out. Most breeds have it harder, but for the Maduro this is only the beginning," concludes Twan.