Pepino - growing an exotic fruit in a garden plot. Pepino (melon pear) is a vegetable or fruit Pepino plant or melon pear

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A fruit from the Southern Hemisphere called pepino is considered exotic in Russia. The plant has mass useful qualities, but chasing tropical fruits is not necessary. According to the reviews of amateur gardeners, it is quite possible to grow it in conditions middle lane. From the article you will learn what is so special about the fruit, which was called a melon pear for its taste properties, what it is valuable for, what contraindications it has.

Description and characteristics of pepino

Pepino, also called sweet cucumber, refers to evergreens shrub type of the Solanaceae family. industrial cultivation these berries were mastered in Peru. From a large number There are two varieties of pepino adapted to the cool climate of the Northern Hemisphere - Consuelo and Ramses. They are grown in greenhouse conditions or indoors. The plant usually does not reach a height of 1.5 m and has the following characteristics:

• leaves and stem resemble a bush;
• flowers - white, similar to potatoes;
• the shape of the fruit is round-oblong or pear-shaped;

Ripe pepino

• color in a ripe state - lemon or cream, with dark oblong stripes or spots;
• fruit weight - 50-750 g, on average - about 300-400 g;
• the pulp is pale yellow, sweet and sour, very fragrant.

Attention! The proportion of water in the fruit is more than 92%, it is very juicy and quenches thirst well.

If you grow fruit yourself, pick them when they reach the size of a goose egg and acquire the correct color. An overripe fruit becomes tasteless. After cutting, immediately wrap the pepino in food paper. Harvesting continues until winter, because even on the same bush the berries can ripen at different times.

A ripe berry retains its properties for 3-4 months if stored at +4…+5 °C. Pepino easily tolerates freezing, drying, canning and other processing. Dessert treats are prepared from sweet cucumber - jams, preserves, compotes, baby food. In a slightly unripe form, it is added to vegetable cuts and salads, pickled like cucumbers.

Biochemical composition of pepino

100 g of exotic contains a significant dose of ascorbic acid - 35 mg. Therefore, it is worth eating berries to strengthen immunity. From others useful substances Exotic has:

Attention! The energy value of a 100-gram pepino fruit is 80 kcal.

Useful properties of pepino berries

The valuable qualities of a melon pear are manifested in the prevention and treatment of:

• Dysfunction of the kidneys and liver. The substances contained in the fetus accelerate the regeneration of organs and their mucous membranes in particular.
• Cardiovascular diseases. Reduces the likelihood of developing myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, anemia, angina pectoris. The general state of the system improves: the high elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, the properties of blood and the level of intercellular communication are maintained.
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The low content of acids in the pulp makes it absolutely harmless to the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Peristalsis, microflora, metabolism are normalized. The fruits relieve problems with the stool.
• Diabetes. Fructose in the composition of these berries reduces fatigue and maintains normal levels of substances in the body of a patient with diabetes.

Pepino helps maintain human health

• Oncological diseases. Eating pepino reduces the risk of developing cancer in the body.
• Blood and blood vessels. Berries improve blood clotting and, as a result, wound healing.
• Disorders nervous system. Fruits have a sedative effect, relieve emotional fatigue, irritability, and normalize sleep.
• Violations of the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Berries strengthen bones and promote tissue fusion.

Pepino is recommended for use in rheumatism, skin diseases, increased blood pressure. It helps with diseases of the upper respiratory tract, osteoporosis, hemophilia, during diets. The peel of the fruit is also edible, although not as tasty. It contains a lot of natural antioxidants, which have strong disinfecting and anti-cancer properties.

Pepino contraindications. Fruit reviews

Pepino has few contraindications. These are allergies and personal intolerances. Nutritionists mention another caveat: beneficial features exotics appear only if they are not abused. If you eat too many berries, you may experience skin allergies and a slight deterioration in well-being - typical reactions to southern fruits.

Advice. Raw berries are eaten like melons, peeling off the skin. The seeds are in the depth of the pulp. But they are not hard and do not spoil the taste at all, so they are eaten too.

Russian gourmets, judging by the reviews on the net, most often get acquainted with pepino on vacation in Turkey. The cost of the fruit is quite high, and the taste is much inferior to melon, cucumber, and banana, with which the berries are compared. Although the flesh is very juicy. But many do not advise buying pepino or recommend eating only in salads. The point may be that unripe fruits are usually sold in the market and in the supermarket. They are strikingly different in taste from ripe ones (in the negative direction). People who have tried ripe berries speak positively about them. Pepino is especially liked by gardeners who have grown berries with their own hands.

Pepino harvest: video

pepino, melon pear, melon tree, pear melon - it was no coincidence that the South American shrub received all these names. Pepino fruits are very similar in shape to, and the taste is very similar to sweet. Ripe melon pear fruits quench your thirst and perfectly refresh. Pepino can be eaten as a separate fruit, or you can add it to all kinds of salads, jams, side dishes, and even first courses. It can also be frozen, dried and canned. Fresh fruit without processing can be stored for about 1.5-2.5 months at a temperature of 5 degrees. The shelf life depends solely on the variety.

Botanical description

Relatives of pepino by the genus Solanaceae -, pepper, tomato. It grows at an altitude of up to 3 thousand meters above sea level. Fruit bushes are usually branched and reach 1.5 meters. The diameter of the stems is approximately 6-7 millimeters. Leaves are arranged alternately on them. The leaves can also be different: lobed or simple. It depends on the type of melon tree. The color of the leaves can also be either dark green or light green. At low temperatures or during severe drought, they can fall off.

root system pepino is not very deep, it can be called compact. Just like tomatoes, pepino can form aerial roots. This is due to high humidity. At the same time, the plant perfectly tolerates transplanting and rooting.

The flowers of the plant are collected in inflorescences, up to 20 units in each. In most cases, they have a pronounced aroma and look very similar to potato flowers. Fruits, from a botanical point of view, are considered berries. Despite the fact that pepino is related to vegetables, it is usually referred to as a fruit due to its sweet taste and aroma. If a given plant grown in the shade or in any other unfavorable conditions for it, the taste will be similar to that of . By the way, this effect is also possible if the fruits are unripe.

In total, pepino has 25 varieties, including the popular Valencia and Ricosta. They differ in size, shape and color. One variety can grow 17 centimeters long and have a diameter of 12 centimeters. The other one might be sized. Often, the fruits are covered with a transparent and fairly strong skin, through which juicy yellow flesh is visible. The skin can have a bitter taste, so the melon tree should be peeled before use.

The seeds of the plant are very similar to eggplant seeds and, but are slightly smaller and lighter in weight. Some varieties have a lot of seeds, and in some they are completely absent.

Pepino is quite popular and is grown for export to Chile, New Zealand and Australia. The popularity of Pepino increased due to the fact that at the end of the 20th century they began to grow promising plant varieties in greenhouses. The yield of these varieties exceeds the yield of other plants by 2-3 times. Due to the fact that tender fruits are quite sensitive to transportation, the development of exports is slowing down. Each fruit must be carefully wrapped so as not to damage it.

Beneficial features

It is worth noting that pepino is not only delicious fruit but also very useful. It contains a lot of , and . It is also rich in useful, which is well absorbed by the body. All this gives the right to attribute pepino to dietary products. In our time, interest in pepino is reviving, not so long ago, special varieties Ramses and Consuelo adapted to Russian conditions were created.

Growing pepino

There is an opinion that such a useful vegetable crop must be present in every gardener and summer resident. But for some reason, a melon tree in vegetable gardens and gardens is quite rare. Why so? Can it be grown in at home?

Firstly, pepino is a late-ripening plant, 3-5 months pass from the first shoots to fruit picking. Secondly, the acceptable temperature for the normal cultivation of pepino is from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is higher, the fruits simply will not tie. And yet, some gardener manages to get good harvest, for this they use temporary shelters. How to grow pepino?

Although the melon pear is perennial plant, it still needs an annual planting. The same thing happens with the usual tomatoes and peppers. To see seedlings in May, the seeds of the plant are sown in November or December. Any plastic containers with lids are great for sprouting. small size. The bottom of the container is covered with a napkin or cotton pad, moistened and then the seeds are laid out. Germination should occur at a temperature of 28 degrees. After 1-2 weeks, roots appear in almost half of the seeds. During this period, the container must be sent under the lamp until the cotyledons appear. Once a day, you need to ventilate the seedlings, for this you need to lift the lid for 10-20 seconds. You can also add if needed. At first, seedlings need to be illuminated for 24 hours. After a month, the time can be reduced to 14 hours. In March, the illumination stops. It happens that the peel from the seeds sticks to the cotyledons, which does not allow them to turn around. In this case, the seedlings need to be sprayed with water several times a day. In separate pots, pepino is placed in the phase of 2-3 leaves, while the seedlings need to be deepened to the cotyledons.

pepino care

Proper care of the plant will allow you to grow a healthy bush. Fertilize pepino with manure and mineral fertilizers. 7 days after planting, foliar top dressing should be carried out, which is repeated every 10 days. To reduce the number of waterings, preserve the substrate from drying out and weeds, the soil can be mulched with rotted sawdust. During the period of fruit ripening, the melon tree should be watered more often, but strong waterlogging should not be allowed. Very useful for pepino ventilation of greenhouses. This will contribute to better pollination and protect it from various diseases.

Pepino, or melon pear, belongs to the nightshade family. Her homeland is South America. In our country, the melon pear belongs to the category of rare plants that are grown in garden plots, in apartments. Unfortunately, the varietal range of pepino is rather limited.

The most popular varieties are Ramses, Consuelo. The fruits of this exotic have a dessert taste, we can say that they are dietary, as they contain easily digestible sugars, are rich in iron, vitamins, ascorbic acid. They are consumed fresh, salads are prepared from them, pickled, salted, compotes and jams are cooked.

This amazing culture borrowed some morphological features from their relatives from the nightshade family. For example, its flowers are similar to potatoes, and the leaves are like peppers. The stems of a melon pear without a garter descend to the ground and take root. The leaves of the plant can be simple and multi-lobed (depending on the variety). Fruits on pepino are tied without pollination. At various varieties they are not the same in size, shape (round, elongated-conical, flat-round), color. It can be orange, cream, yellowish. Stripes give an exotic look to fruits: purple, violet, brown. When ripe, they have a sweet, delicate taste. Their flesh is juicy and aromatic. The smell and taste of pepino berries resemble melon with a slight aftertaste of pineapple, mango. Their weight is from 50 to 750 grams, it depends on the growing conditions. Undamaged melon pear fruits, packed in paper, are stored in the refrigerator for a long time.

Biological features

Melon pear is a light-loving and moisture-loving culture, therefore it needs frequent watering. At a painfully high daytime temperature, the leaves of the plant lose a lot of moisture, as a result of which they droop, curl, and the ovary falls off. Pepino fruits also have a negative effect on sudden changes in humidity, due to which large ovaries can crack, but even in this form they do not deteriorate for a long time.

reproduction

The melon pear is propagated by cuttings and seeds, which are sown in late January, early February. Since they are small, they do not need to be buried in the ground. It is enough to lightly sprinkle with earth. Seedlings appear within five to seven days, they have good germination. In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings dive. At first, it grows slowly, but by the time of landing it reaches about 10 centimeters in height and has seven to eight leaves. To avoid picking, several seeds are sown in peat tablets or cups. Unfortunately, not all varieties of melon pear produce full-fledged seeds, so it is better to propagate pepino with rooted cuttings, which are taken from overwintered mother bushes around mid-February.

Transplanting

For planting seedlings of a melon pear, light, fertile soil with neutral acidity. Suitable predecessors: beans, onions, cucumbers, garlic. Seedlings are planted in early May, having previously introduced into the soil organic fertilizers. The distance between it is 40-50 centimeters. After planting, the plants are thoroughly watered and mulched with dry soil. It is advisable to cover the seedlings with a spondbond for the first time. On sunny days, when the temperature rises, one side of the shelter can be raised. Only when stable warm weather is established, the spondbond is removed from the seedlings. Three weeks after planting, young plants should be tied to a support or trellis and begin to form a bush. Two or three shoots are left on it, the rest are removed. The central stem is tied up straight, the side ones - with a slight slope. You should know that pepino bushes a lot, so it needs pinching. Stepchildren are removed when they reach three to five centimeters in length, leaving small stumps.

Pepino (Solanum muricatum) / Melon pear. How to grow pepino at home from seeds and cuttings

Melon pear, pear melon, melon tree - these names evergreen shrub from South America received by chance. Its fruits often resemble a pear in shape, and taste like a sweet fragrant melon.
Ripe berries pepino, this is what this plant is actually called, perfectly quenches thirst and refreshes. They can be eaten separately as a fruit or added to salads, frozen, dried and preserved, candied fruits, jams can be prepared from them, used as a side dish and even in first courses. Fresh fruits are stored at 4-5°C from 1.5 to 2.5 months, depending on the variety.

Description

Pepino (lat. Solanum muricatum), belongs to the Solanaceae genus and is very reminiscent of its closest relatives - tomatoes , peppers , potatoes , eggplant , physalis . It grows at an altitude of up to 3000 m above sea level. Its one and a half meter semi-woody bushes are extremely branched. The erect, flexible stems are 5-7 mm in diameter. Leaves are alternately arranged on them, depending on the variety, they can be simple, like a pepper, and lobed, like a tomato. The color of the leaves also varies from dark to light green. In stressful situations (drought, low temperatures) leaves fall.
The root system of the pepino is fibrous, compact, and shallow. Like tomatoes in high humidity the plant is able to form aerial roots and also tolerate transplanting and rooting well.
Multiple pepino flowers are collected in inflorescences, up to 20 pieces in each. In most varieties, the flowers are very fragrant and look like potato flowers. From a botanical point of view, the fruits that form from them are berries. Although the plant's closest relatives are vegetables, pepino is commonly referred to as a fruit for its sweet taste and wonderful aroma. Grown in the shade or under unfavorable conditions, as well as unripe, they taste like cucumber.
Fruit different varieties, and there are 25 of them, differ in size (50 g - 1.3 kg), shape (ovoid, pear-shaped, flattened, rounded), color (lemon, yellow, cream, with or without bright purple stripes). They can grow up to 17 cm long and have a diameter of 12 cm, or they can be cherry-sized. The fruits are covered with a transparent, shiny, durable skin, through which their yellow, dense, but tender and juicy flesh shines through. Sometimes the skin is bitter, so before eating the fruit, it is peeled off.
Pepino seeds are similar to eggplant, tomato, physalis seeds, but smaller and lighter. Some varieties have numerous seeds, some practically do not form them.

Pepino was cultivated by American natives long before the advent of Columbus at an altitude of up to 3000 meters above the ground. And now the plant is popular and even grown for export in Chile, New Zealand and Western Australia. On a smaller scale, pepino is cultivated in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, in countries Central America, Morocco, Spain, Israel, Kenya. The popularity of pepino in the world is increasing. This became possible thanks to the creation at the end of the 20th century of promising productive varieties facilitating the commercial cultivation of pepino using greenhouses. The yield of such varieties is 2-3 times higher than that of ordinary plants. The sensitivity to the transportation of tender fruits hinders the development of crop exports. Each of them has to be wrapped, protecting from damage.
By the way, pepino is not only delicious, but also healthy fruits. They compete with citrus fruits in the content of ascorbic acid, are rich in iron, carotene, B and PP vitamins, and are rich in healthy sugars that are well absorbed. This gives reason to attribute pepino to dietary products.

At the end of the 19th century, pepino was also common in Russian greenhouses. Now interest in culture is reviving again. The agricultural firm "Gavrish" has created varieties "Ramses" and "Consuelo" adapted to Russian conditions.

It would seem that such useful culture should grow in every garden. But, unlike its closest relatives - eggplant, peppers and tomatoes, melon pear household plots is rare. Why is this happening?

Firstly, because pepino is a late-ripening plant, 4-5 months pass from germination to harvest. Secondly, optimum temperature for its development +18-25°C. At temperatures above + 26-28 ° C, the fruits are not tied. But some gardeners get a good harvest using only temporary film shelters. How do they do it?

Growing pepino at home from seeds

Although pepino is a perennial plant, it has to be planted annually, as we do with tomatoes or peppers. To get adult seedlings by May, pepino seeds are sown in late November or December. For germination, petri dishes or small plastic containers with lids are used. You can simply cover the ceramic bowl with glass or film. The bottom is covered paper napkin or cotton pads, moisten them and lay out the seeds.

Germinate at a temperature of +28°C. After 7-15 days, roots appear in 20-60% of the seeds. At this time, the cup is placed under the lamp. Until the appearance of the cotyledons, they light up around the clock. Once a day, the seedlings are aired by lifting the lid for 10-15 seconds. Add water if necessary. At first, the seedlings are illuminated during the day. After a month, the illumination time is gradually reduced to 14 hours. Closer to March, the illumination is stopped.

Sometimes the seed coat sticks to the cotyledons, preventing them from unfolding. In this case, the seedlings are sprayed several times a day. warm water, then they will easily get rid of the softened peel.

Pepino is planted in separate pots in the phase of 2-3 true leaves, deepening the seedlings to the cotyledons. The substrate for planting should be light, moisture and breathable. Before picking, it is advisable to shed the soil with a fungicide. Picked plants develop slowly, but do not stretch.

Growing pepino at home from cuttings

More often, pepino is propagated vegetatively (by cuttings). His stepchildren, even obtained from monthly seedlings, take root easily, which allows you to have a large number of planting material. At the same time, young plants retain all varietal characteristics, bloom and begin to bear fruit earlier than those grown from seeds.

To have cuttings for next year, in autumn, healthy pepino bushes are cut to a third of the height, dug up and transplanted into a container with a volume of at least 7-10 liters. They are brought into a greenhouse or a heated greenhouse. For two months, the plant is kept at a temperature of about 8 ° C. Watering is reduced.

At the end of February, the temperature rises to 16°C. Increase the number of waterings, feed the plant. The emerging buds are removed, and the stepchildren are carefully separated and planted in a light substrate. The cuttings take root most quickly in a special greenhouse, where the air humidity is within 90%. But you can just cover them with film, glass, plastic bottle caps.

Further care of seedlings comes down to watering, fertilizing and pest control. Serious harm to pepino can be caused by aphids and spider mite. The latter is especially dangerous for young plants. Therefore, seedlings are periodically inspected and, if necessary, treated with acaricidal preparations.

On the video: growing pepino from cuttings

Growing pepino in protected ground

Seedlings at the age of 90-120 days are planted in greenhouses, placing 2-3 per 1 m2. The soil by this time should be warmed up to +20 0С, and the air temperature around the plants should be + 22-25 0С during the day, at least +18 0С at night. The sooner the seedlings are planted in the ground, the better the pepino harvest will be. It is noticed that when planting in May, pepino does not set fruit. Therefore, early sowing in November will allow seedlings to be planted in the greenhouse in February.

Growing pepino under temporary cover and on a balcony

If it is planned to grow pepino under a temporary unheated film shelter, planting seedlings is carried out at the end of May, harvesting in this case takes place in August. Such terms are also observed when growing pepino in a container, for example, on a balcony.

Pepino care at home

Fertilizers, soil, watering
Pepino grows well on well-aerated, with neutral acidity, fertile soils, without excess nitrogen, otherwise the plant "fattens" and does not set fruit well, just like tomatoes. For digging, rotted manure and mineral phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied. A week after planting, foliar top dressing with microelements is carried out, which is repeated every 10 days. When processing, it is recommended to add preparations with growth-stimulating activity, fungicidal and immunomodulatory properties, for example, Epin or Zircon, to the working solution. Water pepino moderately, as the soil dries. To reduce the number of waterings, to keep the substrate from drying out, to protect ourselves from weeds, the soil under the plants is mulched, for example, with rotted sawdust. During the ripening of the fruits, pepino is watered more often, avoiding waterlogging in order to avoid the appearance of diseases and cracking of the fruits. It is very useful to ventilate the greenhouse. This will not only contribute to better pollination, but will protect plants from diseases.
Formation of a bush and removal of stepchildren
The pepino root system recovers quickly after transplantation, so after a short time a large number of stepchildren appear on the bushes. They are broken out as early as possible, this procedure is repeated every seven days. In some varieties, a secateurs may be required to remove stepchildren, which should be disinfected periodically so as not to introduce viruses. If you let things take their course, the formation and ripening of the fruits will be delayed, they will turn out to be small and unsweetened. The bush is formed in one, less often in two or three stems. As the stems grow, they must be tied to a support. The principle of forming a pepino bush is very similar to caring for tomatoes. It is noteworthy that, being by nature an extremely branchy plant, the most numerous and tasty fruits are formed not on the central, but on the side shoots. Growing pepino at home, it is not always possible to take advantage of this property of the plant.

We recommend reading: Chayote (Mexican cucumber) > Crazy Cucumber > Cucumber >

fruit ripening
Melon pear blooms 70-85 days after germination. In the middle lane, the fruits are tied in spring (from mid-March to mid-May) and autumn (from late August to early October). Although pepino is a self-pollinating plant, for better education ovary bushes shake during flowering. In June-July, when the days become long and the air temperature rises above 25-28°C, pollination usually does not occur.

The fruits ripen 2-2.5 months after flowering. By this time, they become soft, acquire a cream or light yellow color, and clearly visible purple stripes appear on the skin. Unripe fruits ripen in a bright room with room temperature and even in the refrigerator. But if you are late with cleaning, the berries will overripe and become tasteless.

In autumn, bushes with immature fruits are transplanted into 3-5 liter pots and grown in a greenhouse. An additional crop of melon pear is harvested from late November to December.

In our climate, pepino can be grown as an indoor plant. ornamental culture. In this case, the plant will need a sunny location and intensive top dressing, like any other. potted plant. Sowing seeds and cuttings can be carried out at any time, observing the conditions described above.

Diseases and pests

When the soil is waterlogged, plants are affected by root rot, Alternaria, seedlings suffer from black leg.
In protected ground, whiteflies, aphids, mites, slugs cause harm. Dangerous for them Colorado beetle. Sweet fruits are damaged by ants and flies.

Pepino varieties for central Russia (protected ground)

"Consuelo" has thin and bending purple stems 2 meters long. Its leaves are slightly pubescent, lanceolate, reminiscent of pouring pepper, dark green in color. The fruits are roundly flattened, reach a weight of 1.3 kg, have an ovoid shape, when mature they are cream or pale lemon in color with bright lilac stripes. Formed in spring. Their skin is surprisingly strong, and the flesh is yellow, very juicy, fragrant (smell of melon), sweet and sour exotic taste (similar to mango). It practically does not form seeds, therefore it is mainly propagated by cuttings. Up to seven fruits can form in the brush, but it is better to leave 1-2 ovaries, remove the rest.

"Ramses" more unpretentious variety, tolerates shade and drought, can re-fruit in autumn without additional illumination. It differs from the previous one in green stems with purple spots and lighter leaves. The fruits are oblong or pear-shaped. They have a lot of small seeds (30-100 pieces), similar to physalis seeds

The package offered by the agricultural company contains 5 seeds. But even if all the rules for germination are observed, their germination will be only 70 and 50%, respectively. This must be taken into account when growing pepino from seeds. As an experiment, you can use the seeds of a mature pepino bought in a supermarket. Sometimes this experience turns out to be successful. We wish you successful cultivation pepino from seeds, and its propagation by cuttings! In gratitude for the work and care, the plant will reward you with delicious fruits!

On the video: growing pepino in a warm climate, picking fruits: