Colossus 80 Cowpea, 1980 Clemson University Release

The Colossus 80 is a celebrated result of dedicated university breeding, designed to perfect the traditional "Crowder" pea.

• The Origin: This variety was developed and released by Clemson University (South Carolina) in 1980.
• The Improvement: It was bred as an improved version of the original "Colossus" variety. The goal of the 1980 release was to maintain the massive seed size while significantly increasing the plant's resistance to Fusarium wilt and root-knot nematodes.
• The Heritage: While it was a product of the 1980s, it carries the soul of 19th-century "Crowder" peas—so named because the seeds are so large and tightly packed in the pod that they "crowd" each other, resulting in blunt, squared-off ends.

The Colossus 80 is a "brown crowder" type, prized for its hearty texture and the rich, dark broth it creates.

• The Pods: These are truly colossal, often reaching 7 to 9 inches in length. They are thick, straight, and turn a straw-yellow color when ready for shelling.
• The Seeds: Massive, plump, and light brown. Because of their size, they are incredibly easy to shell by hand, which significantly cuts down on kitchen prep time.
• In the Kitchen: Known for a deep, savory, and almost "meaty" flavor. They produce a beautiful, dark "pot liquor" that is the hallmark of a traditional Southern pea dish.

This is a robust, semi-bush variety that focuses its energy on producing heavy clusters of pods near the center of the plant for easy picking.

"Colossus 80 is a game-changer for folks who find shelling peas to be a chore. Because the peas are so big, you get a much higher volume of food per pod than with standard varieties. It’s a reliable, heat-loving survivor that rewards you with buckets of high-protein peas even in the hottest August sun."

• Heat is Key: Like all cowpeas, wait until the soil is warm (70°F+) before sowing.
• Spacing: Sow 1 inch deep and about 3-4 inches apart. They don't need a trellis, but they do need room to branch out.
• The Harvest: Pick when the pods are full and have turned from green to a light tan/yellow color for fresh shelling. For dry peas, leave them on the plant until the pods are completely dry and brittle.