Pepino growing shrub of the genus Solanum also known as Pepino melon or pepino dulce, Pepino is perennial evergreen plant, grow in mediterranean, subtropical, tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone 10b+.
Flower color purple with light purple in the edge,
Pepino flower
Fruit color rind is yellow with sometimes purple spots or stripes, fruit shape is oval. The flavor remind melon and sometimes cucumber, sometimes the flavor strong but mostly anemic
Pepino for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
Requirements for Pepino growing and care:
Well drained soil, trellising
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Vegetative Reproduction
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
Yes
Difficulties or problems when growing:
Need to dominate a lot of ground before bearing fruits, sometime the fruits have anemic taste
Planting season:
Spring, summer
Pests and diseases:
Aphids, ants
Pruning season:
Winter
How to prune:
Week and dead branch
Size of the plant:
20-60 cm, 8-24 inches
Growth speed in optimal condition:
Fast growing / Medium growing
Water requirement:
Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun / Half Shade (bear less fruit)
Is it possible to grow as houseplant?
No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes
Blooming information
Bloom season:
Spring / Summer
General information about the flower
Purple flower with light purple in the edge
Thinning the bloom:
Until the plant is not fully establish recommend to thinning
Pollination is done by:
Bee, fly
Edible fruits
Fruit harvest season:
Summer / Autumn
Fruits pests or diseases:
Birds, aphids
What can be done with big quantities of Pepino fruits?
Juice, eat raw
Work requirements on the fruit:
Trellising (sometime the fruit heavy to the plant)
How long does it take to bear fruit?
1-2 years
Ripening of fruit:
If the fruits attack by birds recommend pick before it’s ready, and let it ripening at home
Vegetative Reproduction
How to make Vegetative Reproduction in Pepino?
Cutting, Bending a branch over and covering it with earth
The best time for vegetative reproduction in Pepino:
Spring / Summer
How much time does it take to grow roots in vegetative reproduction?
2-3 weeks
What is the treatment for vegetative reproduction in Pepino?
Moist, half shade, the cutting can be put in water
Scientific name:
Solanum muricatum