Melon tree - what fruits and where it grows

Many growers are passionate about growing unusual flowers and crops, including kiwi, banana, orange or melon tree. The last representative can be seen both on the personal plot and on the windowsill.

Melon tree or pepino - growing at home

The cultivation of the plant took place more than 7 centuries ago, the indigenous people of America - the central and southern lands, were engaged in it. Later, the breeders carried out serious work, and it became possible to grow an exotic representative in Central Russia.

Pepino Consuelo

The plant grows up to 1.5 m in height, outwardly resembling shoots of tomatoes, potatoes or eggplants. Its foliage can be light green or dark green, inflorescences are formed at the top of the stems, each has 10-20 buds. Outwardly, flowering is similar to potato flowers, as fruits ripen on the branches.

Pentagonal Babako tree

What is pepino and what does the fruit of the melon tree look like?

The plant is a member of the Solanaceae family, it belongs to evergreen shrubs with small sizes. The name of the culture is associated with the taste of the fruit; in some countries, pepino is called "mango cucumber". Its fruit resembles a pear.

Each type of melon tree has its own morphological characteristics: the stem is similar to an eggplant, and the foliage is like pepper leaf plates. The fruits of the culture are varied: oblong, round, pear-shaped or flattened type.

• The color of a ripe fruit can be either bright yellow or cream, with an average weight of 0.2 to 0.75 kg.
• The pulp is yellowish or colorless, juicy, tastes like a mixture of melon and pineapple.
• The fruit is considered low-calorie, suitable for baby food.

Papaya seeds

Features of growing pepino

If we talk about pepino, growing at home requires following some rules.

When the bush is under the sun's rays, the berries fully ripen, delight with their sweetness and juiciness, and a pleasant aroma. When in partial shade, the fruits of the melon tree will taste like an ordinary cucumber.

Melon tree varieties for cultivation in Russia

Gardeners prefer to grow pepino on their backyards, the process takes more time than caring for its close relatives: potatoes, tomatoes or eggplants. Fruit ripening occurs not earlier than after 4-5 months. They are not tied if the air temperature is below 25 degrees - in Russian territories it is necessary that the specified indicator be kept for at least six months.

In cool climates, the plant is grown in greenhouses or on window sills. In the latter case, it is also necessary to create favorable conditions for the growth and development of culture.In the Russian Federation, among the whole variety of varieties, preference is given to two types: Consuelo and Ramses.

Pepino Melon

Pepino Consuelo

Appeared in the State Register since 1999, it is recommended for cultivation both in the open field and in greenhouse conditions. The culture does not require pinching the top, it belongs to the indeterminants. It grows up to 1.5 m in height, shoots of a purple hue, stepchildren are actively forming. The foliage is small in size, with a light green tone.

Small flowers similar to potato buds, with snow-white petals and light purple stripes. If the flowers are white, without additional color, then they are not able to form ovaries and quickly fall off.

The primary crop is harvested 4-4.5 months after planting. Each fetus weighs from 0.42 to 0.58 kg. Berries with a smooth yellow-orange skin, stripes and interspersed with a purple hue. The shape of the fruit resembles a heart with a blunt top. The juicy and soft pulp has a melon aroma.

Consuelo is characterized by good germination and high yield. Botanists attribute its fruits to berries, not fruits, and culinary experts refer to vegetables, like the rest of the Solanaceae family.

Papaya seedlings

Pepino Ramses

Appeared in the State Register since 1999, can be grown throughout the Russian territory. It will grow up to 1.5 m in height, the stems have a mixed color - greenish with purple blotches. The foliage is medium in volume, whole-edged, with a dark green color.

The flowers are similar in shape and color to the previous variety, the culture is known for early ripening - 3.5 months after planting. The berries are cone-shaped with a pointed top, weighing from 0.4 to 0.48 kg. Fruits are yellow, creamy with purple dots is allowed. Under the thin, glossy skin is a yellow juicy flesh that gives off a slight melon smell.

Ramses variety

How to grow pepino at home

Reproduction of the culture is carried out by cuttings or by seed. Germination is not very high, so a lot of seeds are required. They are not planted directly into the soil due to certain nuances.

Growing pepino from seeds at home

For pepino, growing from seeds at home is difficult and time-consuming. Gardeners prefer to use the following step-by-step algorithm:

1. Seed material is soaked in a growth stimulator for 24 hours.
2. After a day, the seeds are removed, wrapped in a damp cloth and sent to a dark room with a temperature of more than 25 degrees.
3. After germination, after 3-4 weeks, they are transferred to a small container and covered with a glass cover. The vessel is placed under a fluorescent lamp.
4. Conditions are maintained until the formation of cotyledons. The seeds freed from the peel are planted in a previously prepared substrate.
5. After a while, the seedlings are sent to different pots, every three days they are illuminated with a lamp or exposed to the south window.

Plant shoots

Growing pepino seedlings at home

After the appearance of the third leaf, the young are sent in separate glasses. To activate growth, a phytolamp is used - the daylight hours should be at least 14 hours. Watering is carried out regularly - the ground should be slightly damp.

The first feeding is done in a week - with a special composition for young plants. Subsequently, the soil is fertilized every 14 days. With the onset of March, the young are transferred to the subcortex for nightshade crops. Watering is carried out 12 hours before fertilization.

After transshipment

Growing pepino from cuttings

Cutting makes it easy to get young plants. In this case, the fruits will appear earlier than when grown after planting the seeds. Cuttings are prepared in advance.

Planting material is prepared after the end of the summer season. It is stored in rooms with a temperature of about 8 degrees.

The process follows the standard algorithm:

1. Cuttings are cut at a height of 10-15 cm from the top; work is carried out in late autumn.
2. There should be at least 6 leaves on each stem. Excess foliage from the bottom is removed, the trimmings are placed in a container with water.
3. After 10 days, the root system will form on the cuttings. During this period, they are sent to small containers filled with a nutrient substrate.
4. For normal growth and development, you must adhere to a certain regime: with a temperature of 25 degrees and an air humidity of 78%.

Planting and growing a melon tree is not difficult even for novice gardeners. It can be grown in a greenhouse or at home on a windowsill, the plant needs warmth and light. With a lack of them, the taste of the berries will decrease, the pulp will begin to taste like an ordinary cucumber or zucchini.