PEPINO - melon pears

[Alice]

Well, after all that, mine were hopeless. They grew into lovely plants and flowered but none of them set fruit. I tried some in the conservatory and some outdoors but just with the same result.
The surprise was - the aubergines were huge after years of no result.

[gojiberry]

I bought a couple of plants from lidle this year. One has fruit but only the size of an egg which I know is very small as they get more to the size of a mango. They are outside so wasn't really expecting to much. Will try and overwinter them for an early start next year.

Ian

[Alice]

Good luck Gojiberry. I read somewhere that they really only fruit successfully in their second year so maybe you'll get a great crop next year.

[binley100]

I tried last year. They were planted in the garden. Everytime the fruits started to grow a bit the dog ate them.

[Woofster]

I planted pepino seeds again this year and they germinated well and grew into sturdy plants. I kept one and had it in the garden in a pot and it was doing great - flowers and all and then the wind just blew it to pieces.
I have been trying to find the photos I took of the one I grew a couple of years ago. It produced about half a dozen reasonable but undersized fruit. The flavour is underwhelming and I grow them for the challenge. I think I wont bother again.

[goosander]

Took cuttings in early September and they rooted quick. Have potted them up into four inch pots but would like any advice on how to over winter them.
Bought plants last spring and had a good crop of fruit. Very good eating.
Thanks in advance.
Bob

[carly]

I will be trying pepino this year. I have never grown them before but plan on growing them in greenhouse! They do need hot temperatures I have read and will probably sow in may. I will keep you all updated as to how it goes. I have noticed a lot of you are based up north and Scotland. I am in the south. Anyone else from the south?

[goosander]

Got some seeds from plant-world-seeds which I will sow in the next few days in the hotbed. Have always grown them from cuttings before and they soon take off. To me well worth it for the fruit which can grow larger than a grapefruit and very tasty. Think I have lost them all this year with all the frost we have had.
Very pleased with the service I got from plant=world and have other melon seeds to try.
Bob.

[goosander]

Just been reading through this thread again. Planted some seeds but only got a few plants. Possibly my fault for them not getting enough light at the start. They grew well and took a number of cuttings which also came. Fruit were about the size of a decent grapefruit and enjoyable. Kept the last one in the house to ripen it and just left it to see what would happen. Opened it up and got some seeds from it to try this season. Plants in greenhouse [cold] covered with fleece but look sad.
Anyone else growing them.
Bob.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Bob. Its good to read an update. I may have to have another try at these Pepinos.