HAVE you tried pepinos? Pepinos are also known as melon pears or sweet cucumbers. They are one of our favourite small fruiting shrubs. They have very attractive small purple flowers which our native bees are drawn to.
When the fruit starts to ripen, it will take on a yellowy tinge and will develop small purple stripes. Although only a small bush the fruit can weigh up to 500 grams. We have always likened the taste to that of rockmelon. They can be used in fruit salads and juices or just peeled, remove the seeds and eaten fresh. When picked green the flavour is similar to cucumber and we use them in salads as a cucumber replacement.
They are highly productive and fruit for large parts of the year. Some of ours have fruited within months of planting. They are a member of the Nightshade family – also think tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, capsicums and chillies. We have a couple here that are about six years old and still fruiting. That length of time frame makes them extra appealing to grow.
Pepino are a small bushy plant but can grow up to about a metre tall and wide. To grow to that size they need staking or trellising support. Some of our pepinos are growing in full sunlight and others in near full shade. Most are growing as understory bushes below larger trees. Once you have a plant established, you can quite easily grow them from cuttings. Just take a nice small woody cutting, remove most of the leaves and place straight into good soil or pot. A little Seasol and regular watering and they establish quickly.
They will grow in a variety of climates but like the warmth. They can stand periods around 0 degrees but if you are prone to frosts it would be advisable to give a good prune at the start of winter and even cover when frost is expected. If you are growing under larger trees they will provide the necessary shelter. Get a few and plant them around the gardens. You won’t regret it.
