Grown Sweet Italian Pepper 'Marconi Rosso'?

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Sweet Italian Pepper 'Marconi Rosso' — Peppers

80-85days to harvest

10-21days to germinate

Z4–11USDA zones

Easy to moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter
Soil pH: 6.2-7.0
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Green ripening to deep red
Size: 6-8 inches long, 2-3 inches wide
Shape: Long, tapered, slightly curved with thick walls
Flavour: Exceptionally sweet with no heat, fruity undertones

In the kitchen

Frying, roasting, grilling, stuffing, Italian dishes, sandwiches, preserved in oil

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, pepper maggot, European corn borer, thrips
Diseases: Bacterial leaf spot, verticillium wilt, tobacco mosaic virus
Resistance: Moderate resistance to common pepper diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	April – May	June – July	—	September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	September – October
5	March	May – June	—	August – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	July – September
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	May – July
11	January	January – February	—	April – June
12	January	January – February	—	April – June
13	January	January – February	—	April – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving pepper flavor

TomatoesShare similar growing requirements and can help shade pepper roots from intense heat

MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies with their strong scent

OreganoDeters pests like cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

CarrotsHelp break up compacted soil with their taproots and don't compete for nutrients

OnionsRepel aphids, spider mites, and other pests with sulfur compounds

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pepper pests

NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while attracting beneficial predators

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone, a chemical toxic to peppers and other nightshade family plants

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of peppers and most vegetables

BrassicasCompete heavily for nutrients and may stunt pepper growth due to different soil pH preferences

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 27
Protein (g): 1.66
Fat (g): 0.45
Carbohydrate (g): 5.35
Fibre (g): 3.4
Sugars (g): 1.95
Vitamin A (µg): 17
Vitamin C (mg): 82.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.69
Vitamin K (µg): 9.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.357
Folate (µg): 29
Calcium (mg): 14
Iron (mg): 0.46
Magnesium (mg): 17
Phosphorus (mg): 32
Potassium (mg): 256
Zinc (mg): 0.25
Selenium (µg): 0.3

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the peppers growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Sweet Italian Pepper 'Marconi Rosso'?

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