Pepino (Dulce/Melon)

Plant family

Solanums (Solanaceae)

Also known as

Melon Pear, Tree Melon

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Plant distance

60 cm

Row spacing

80 cm

Seeding depth

1 cm

Instructions

Description

Delicious fruity tasting egg-shaped pear melons, melon pears or pepinos belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is related to tomato, chili and eggplant. They fit well on balconies and terraces, as well as in the mini garden. From the purple-yellow flowers, the bushy growing plants develop many yellow-orange, purple-striped and -spotted fruits. They reach the size and shape of goose eggs. The flesh tastes pleasantly sweet aromatic, about between pears and melons. (Source: Kiepenkerl seed bag)

Growing tips

They can be grown from seed in the same way as tomatoes. The branching shoots can reach a height of approx. 80 cm, and up to 180 cm when strung up in a greenhouse. Can only withstand temperatures of 12 degrees plus, so must be overwintered indoors (cuttings) or reseeded. The pepino is ripe when the fruit is light yellow to sunny yellow in color with dark purple longitudinal stripes and the flesh is golden yellow-yellow-orange. Can be eaten with the skin. Sensitive to cold. Does not need to be thinned. Propagated and overwintered by cuttings. Needs a lot of warmth. Cutting off shoots without flowering promotes the growth and size of the fruit.