Pepino (Pepino Melon)

Pepino melon is a perennial fruiting shrub from the Andes of South America, belonging to the same genus as tomatoes and eggplants — its smooth-skinned, oval fruits are pale golden-yellow with distinctive purple streaks when ripe, with sweet, mild, melon-like flesh that has been compared to a blend of cantaloupe and cucumber. The plant blooms and sets fruit best in cool to mild temperatures (50–75°F) rather than peak summer heat, making the fall through early spring season the most productive in the subtropical Gulf Coast; in zone 9 it often survives mild winters to fruit again the following cool season. Propagate easily from stem cuttings like tomatoes — a rooted cutting can fruit within 75–100 days of transplanting. Stake plants like a tomato or pepper to keep fruits off the ground; harvest when fruits develop a fully golden background color and give slightly to thumb pressure, typically 3–4 months after transplanting; let fully ripen at room temperature after picking for peak sweetness. Спосіб посадки: Висадка розсади Відстань між рослинами: 24–36 дюймів Висота: 24–48 дюймів Дні до схожості: 14–21 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–27°C

Pepino melon is a perennial fruiting shrub from the Andes of South America, belonging to the same genus as tomatoes and eggplants — its smooth-skinned, oval fruits are pale golden-yellow with distinctive purple streaks when ripe, with sweet, mild, melon-like flesh that has been compared to a blend of cantaloupe and cucumber. The plant blooms and sets fruit best in cool to mild temperatures (50–75°F) rather than peak summer heat, making the fall through early spring season the most productive in the subtropical Gulf Coast; in zone 9 it often survives mild winters to fruit again the following cool season. Propagate easily from stem cuttings like tomatoes — a rooted cutting can fruit within 75–100 days of transplanting. Stake plants like a tomato or pepper to keep fruits off the ground; harvest when fruits develop a fully golden background color and give slightly to thumb pressure, typically 3–4 months after transplanting; let fully ripen at room temperature after picking for peak sweetness. Спосіб посадки: Висадка розсади Відстань між рослинами: 24–36 дюймів Висота: 24–48 дюймів Дні до схожості: 14–21 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–27°C --- Час посадки: 2–4 тижнів від останнього весняного заморозка Start from cuttings (roots readily) or transplant after last frost in rich, well-drained soil in full sun; pepino performs as a short-lived perennial in zone 9 and south, surviving mild winters and producing fruit repeatedly — protect from frost below 28°F.