Marconi Red Pepper

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Soak seeds and maintain soil temperature between 70-85°F for reliable germination. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge.

Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date when soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 55°F. Harden off plants gradually over 7-10 days by exposing them to increasing amounts of outdoor light and wind. Space plants 18 inches apart with 36 inches between rows.

Peppers reach full maturity and develop their deep red color 70-79 days after transplant. Harvest when peppers are fully red and feel firm; at this stage they'll have maximum sweetness. Peppers can be picked slightly earlier at the mature green or orange stage if you need space on the plant for more fruit to develop. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut peppers cleanly from the stem rather than tugging, which can damage branches.

Marconi Red grows as a compact upright plant that typically requires minimal pruning. Remove any lower leaves that touch the soil to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure. You may pinch the growing tip early in the season to encourage bushier growth and more flowering sites, though this variety's naturally proliferative habit usually produces abundant fruit without intervention.