Pepino Melon Plant – 1 Small Plant

Sold as a single small Pepino Melon plant, size as in photos. The plants on offer were propagated from cuttings, so will fruit sooner than pepino plants grown from seed.

Pepino Melon belongs to the genus Solanum and is also known as pepino dulce. Pepino is perennial evergreen plant, grow in mediterranean, subtropical, tropic climates. It grows very well in South Africa’s climate as well.

Pepino Melon tree is a small, evergreen shrub bearing purple flowers followed by deliciously sweet, smooth, oval shaped fruit. The skin of the fruit turns light creamy-yellow with purple stripes when fully ripe.
The flowers of pepino plants are hermaphrodites, having both male and female organs, and are pollinated by insects.

Planting and Caring for a Pepino Melon Plant

• Pepino plants may be grown in sandy, loamy or even heavy clay soils, although they prefer alkaline, well-draining soil with an acid neutral pH.
• Pepinos should be planted in sun exposure and in well draining, slightly moist soil. It can also be grown in partial shade but the best fruit production will occur in full sun.
• The plants are sensitive to water stress and should not be allowed to dry out. In production cultivation the plants are grown in furrows to preserve water.
• Pepino melon doesn’t do well with competition and weed suppression is essential. A good mulch will help prevent competing vegetation.
• Pepino melons can withstand light freezes but it is best to situate the plants in a sheltered area for sustained cold snaps.
• Transfer the Pepino plants outside to their permanent location in the late spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed.
• Can be successfully grown in containers and will set fruit in containers.
• Pepinos can be fertilized with a tomato fertilizer in the same amounts and manner as tomatoes.
• Pepino plants do not set fruit until the night temperatures are over 18 C.
• The fruit matures 30-80 days after pollination.
• Harvest the pepino fruit just before it is fully ripe and it will store at room temp for several weeks.
• The most common Pepino pest to look out for is plant lice, red spider mites and scale insects, as they do occasionally attack the plant.