Extremely attractive variety, suitable for outdoor production and in
greenhouses. It blooms with many beautiful flowers, which makes it a
wonderful decoration on the terrace or balcony, produces temptingly
fragrant flowers and decorative but edible fruits. Pepino fruits are
relatively large, weighing up to 100 - 500 gr. depends on the growing
conditions, due to improper cultivation, sometimes the fruit may not be
sweet enough. Тhe fruits of ripe pepino are oval or heart-shaped,
creamy-yellow in color with purple or reddish-brown strokes. The flesh
is juicy, tender, fragrant and tastes like melon, pear or mango. Ripe
fruits taste and aroma reminiscent of melons and tropical fruits, have a
characteristic sweet aroma, their flesh is juicy. The bark should be
bright and shine a little in the sunlight. The ripe fruit must have a
very perceptible aroma even in the uncut state, if it is not there, it
is definitely immature. The fruits are very rich in iodine and vitamin C
and are suitable frozen, dried or canned for desserts, dishes and jams.
Characteristic of the variety is that it is easy to grow and has high
shelf life. Vegetation period - about 200-210 days. Requires supporting
structure. The requirements for the supporting structure are the same as
for tomatoes.
Pepino is a light-loving plant. The optimal
temperature for its good development is 20-25 degrees. If the
temperature is below 15 or above 30 degrees, the leaves, buds, flowers
and fruits may fall off. The woody parts of the stem and branches
tolerate short-term drops in temperatures and light frosts.
With
artificial lighting, the melon tree can be grown in a warm room all year
round. If we do not have such an opportunity, in the fall the amount of
water is gradually (for about a month) reduced to a minimum. During the
same period, the temperature decreases until it reaches + 5-6 degrees.
Under these conditions, the leaves slowly fall off and Pepino will sleep
for about 2 months until the end of January, and can spend them in
complete darkness.
Then the plant is exported to light and warm,
start regular watering with warm water. As soon as the new shoots
appear, the feeding of the plant begins.
Height - About 100 cm.
Flowering period - Blooms in April - May. It bears fruit from the end of August to the beginning of October.
Light requirement - Sunny and well lit place.
Soil - Varietal seeds of the Melon tree should be sown in well-drained, fertile soil.
Winter hardiness - Pepino is not winter hardy.
Longevity Perennial exotic plant that is used as an annual for our climate.
Plant
location - Pepino seeds can be sown in pots to grow on the balcony or
in the interior (with artificial lighting), outdoors, in greenhouses.
The melon tree is perfect for an indoor garden or for your exotic winter
garden.
Time of sowing - Varietal seeds of Pepino are sown in
February - March indoors and transplanted after a month according to the
scheme 40X40 cm in the open, when there is no danger of falling
temperatures and frosts.
Depth of sowing - Melon seeds should be sown
to a depth of about 1 - 1.5 cm. Always keep the soil surface moist and
ensure the necessary light of the seeds (helps germination).
Distance from each other - 40x40 cm.
Watering - Water regularly without soaking the melon tree.
Fertilization
- Depending on the nutrient supply of the soil. Application of liquid
or solid fertilizers once a month. Use complex compound fertilizers or
controlled-release professional fertilizers.