Solanum muricatum aka Pepino
Taxonomy
Solanum muricatum, also known as pepino dulce or sweet cucumber, is an evergreen shrub native to South America. It is cultivated for its sweet edible fruit, which resembles a melon in color and has a flavor that combines honeydew and cucumber. The fruit has a smooth creamy yellow skin with purplish stripes and is egg-shaped. Although the plant may look like a ground cover, it is actually a bushy perennial half-hardy shrub with evergreen leaves and purple and white flowers. Solanum muricatum is closely related to other nightshades like tomatoes and eggplants. It is commonly found in markets in Colombia, Kenya, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile, but its delicate nature makes it less suitable for long-distance travel. Attempts to cultivate and export the fruit have been made in New Zealand, Turkey, Mauritius, and Chile. This frost-tender species can be grown as a freestanding bush or trained to grow up a trellis, wall, or fence in a sunny position.
Common names
Pepino, Peruvian Pepino, Melon PearHow to care for Pepino
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Pepino is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Pepino should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Pepino loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Pepino requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Peruvian Pepino is always in the right place to thrive.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Pepino to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
Humidity
No extra humidity is necessary for the Pepino. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.
Region of origin
Pepino’s native range is Worldwide.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Solanum Genus
Solanum bonariense Potato
Solanum tuberosum Potato
Solanum betaceum Tamarillo
Solanum furcatum Forked Nightshade
Solanum curtilobum
