Overseas guest Pepino. Valuable tips for raising a foreigner

Pepino is a plant native to Chile, the closest relatives are pepper, tomato, potato and eggplant.

Selection of varieties

In the conditions of the Russian climate, the Pepino Ramses variety grows best. Fruits are oblong - when ripe, they are yellow-orange in color with lilac stripes, taste sweet with a strong aroma of pineapple and melon.

Reproduction

This variety is best propagated vegetatively - by cuttings. From autumn it is necessary to preserve the mother plant - cuttings are rooted in August or September. Pepino gives stepchildren very easily, so only a few shoots are required for the queen cell. Stepchildren rot in the water, therefore, after rooting, they should be transplanted into pots with soil, the soil is perfect for tomatoes. At the end of January, the plant is fed, organic and complex fertilizers are well suited. The solution is used warm - about 30 degrees. Around February, it is necessary to actively highlight pepino, the temperature should be 20-25 degrees during the day and 15-18 degrees at night. Fresh air is also needed in moderation.

Pepino needs a long daylight hours for flowering, so strong seedlings will help it gain root power faster and not waste energy during the flowering period, which will ensure intensive fruit setting - it needs strong seedlings. To do this, the rooted cuttings are transplanted into larger pots (about 3 liters).

For planting in a garden, you must use a greenhouse, it is better to plant after cabbage and radish. The ground in the greenhouse needs to be warmed up for about a month. Around the beginning of May - the plant is planted in the soil. Top dressing is similar to pepper and tomato. It is better to use a complex of mineral and organic fertilizers.

Plant care

Before flowering, pepino must be treated with drugs from pathogens - insecticides or fungicides. It is better to pinch the upper shoots, be sure to pay attention to the fruits - if there are more than two of them on one brush - remove and leave the strongest ones. The pollen from the bush is extremely unviable. Good airing of the plant is essential for successful pollination. For better fruit setting, it can be treated with special preparations. Processing is best done before lunch. The plant requires a garter. From fertilizers, infusion of mullein and bird droppings is well suited.

Harvesting

Pepino ripens within two months after flowering. Harvesting can start at the beginning of September. Pay attention to the brightness of the stripes and the smell of the fruit, ripe pepino exudes a pleasant aroma. They eat raw fruits, as well as make jams, sauces from it, and use it in various desserts.