Cherry red peppers, also known as cherry bomb peppers or red cherry chilies, are small, round peppers with a mildly spicy flavor. Here’s a guide on how to grow them:

1. Climate and Soil: Cherry red peppers thrive in warm climates and well-draining soil. They require full sun for optimal growth and fruit production.
2. Planting Time: Start pepper seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Peppers are sensitive to cold, so ensure the soil temperature is consistently warm before transplanting them outside.
3. Seed Starting/Transplanting: Plant pepper seeds about 1/4 inch deep in pots or seed trays filled with seed-starting mix. Once seedlings have developed several sets of leaves and the weather has warmed, transplant them into larger containers or into the garden bed.
4. Spacing: When planting outdoors, space pepper plants about 18-24 inches apart to allow for proper growth and airflow.
5. Support: Some pepper plants may benefit from staking or support cages to keep them upright as they grow and produce fruit.
6. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage excessively.
7. Fertilization: Incorporate compost or a balanced fertilizer into the soil before planting. Fertilize periodically during the growing season according to package instructions.
8. Pruning: While not necessary, you can pinch off the tips of pepper plants to encourage bushier growth.
9. Harvesting: Cherry red peppers typically mature about 70-80 days after planting. Harvest them when they’ve reached their full red color and desired size. Use scissors or pruning shears to cut the peppers from the plant.
10. Uses: Cherry red peppers can be used fresh in salads, salsas, stuffed dishes, or pickled. They have a mild heat level, making them versatile in various recipes.

By providing the right conditions—ample sunlight, proper watering, well-draining soil, and occasional fertilization—your cherry red pepper plants should thrive and produce a bounty of delicious, mildly spicy peppers for your culinary endeavors.

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