Pepino Melon Pear

[nilling]

I bought 10 seeds last year off ebay last year, it was a bit late in the season so put them away. I have just found them when I've been putting together my seed tin for this year. But I've misplaced the leaflet that came with them

Anybody got any tips or hints? From what little I can remember to grow them like tomatoes - but that could just be me

[Tori]

I think you areright - here is a link
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ars_21646.html

[poly]

Hi nilling, treating them like tomatoes is about right, start off indoors on a warm windowsill or the like. I've just sown a few which is possibly a bit early. I think March-April is more usual, seeds only need a light covering of compost.

I tend to grow mine on in the greenhouse, increasing the size of pot ending up in about a 30 litre one. They get moved outside for the summer as they don't like hot temps-although that has not been much of a problem the last couple of years. Sorry no experience planting them in the plot.

I find fruit can be slow to ripen, which is benefited from a warm sheltered spot or moved inside in the autumn. Pepinos are perennial and can be over wintered in a frost free location, which is worth while if they have fruited well as they then get off to a really good start. I still have a few fruit on mine which is great, they keep on the plant for quite a while.

Plants from seed can be a little variable, some better than others.

Flowers are similar shape to a potato's and I think quite pretty, fruits are gorgeous, they just need a little patients for them to ripen! Overall a fun plant to grow, I'm no expert but find them really easy.

Bit long winded but hope it makes sense

[Woofster]

I agree with all poly has said. I sowed about ten seeds the summer before last and only one germinated (but that was enough !). I sowed a bit late and the plant was slow in growing but eventually grew to a bush about 2 foot by 2 foot. It produced about 5 or 6 fruits which grew to the size of a small fist (smaller than they should grow) and ripened. I kept it in the greenhouse but in a good summer it could have been fine in a warm sheltered spot. Sadly the plant did not survive the winter; it developed mould. The fruits are not the most exciting things but very pleasant all the same. A nice challenge.

[nilling]

Thanks poly and woofster for the quick replies - they do sound a bit hit-n-miss but I'm gonna give it a go

[bluemoon]

Sow them early as they can be slow starters. And don't give up once they reach the 4 true leaf stage as they have a tendency to sit there for weeks with no apparent growth. They must be putting down root at this point because they'll then suddenly take off.

[Woofster]

I agree with Bluemoon. Mine took ages to get going but once it did it grew fast. Definitely sow seeds early in the warm and keep the plant in greenhouse/somewhere warm until after danger of frosts.

[Alice]

Thanks for all that information folks. I've got some Pepino seeds for this year and I've never grown them before so now I know what to expect. I'll get then planted as soon as I can.

[jawla]

I'm wgrowing pepinos. Got half dozen fruits on 2 plants that are about the size of a large egg. How will i know when they're ready to pick?

[realfood]

They change colour and have a slight "give" when held gently between the fingers.

[lynda66]

i grew them with the tomatoes in the polytunnel last year, started them off with the tomatoes in january ..... they flowered around september, went mouldy in october and died without producing fruit