Fruit Facts from
the
California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.
Pepino Dulce
Solanum muricatum Ait.
Solanaceae
Common
Names: Pepino Dulce, Pepino, Melon Pear, Melon Shrub, Pear Mellon
Related Species: Wonderberry (Solanum X burbanikii), Tzimbalo (S. caripense), Lulita (S. pectinatum), Lulo comun (S. pseudolulo), Naranjilla (S. quitoense), Garden Huckleberry (S. scabrum), Cocona (S. sessiliflorum)
Distant Affinity
Distant Affinity: Tree Tomato, Tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea), Casana (Cyphomandra casana), Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopsersicum), Mexican Husk Tomato, Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa), Cape Gooseberry, Poha Berry (Physalis peruviana) and others
Origin: The pepino dulce is
native to the temperate Andean regions of Colombia, Peru and Chile. The
plant is not known in the wild, and the details of it origin are not
known. The fruit is grown commercially in New Zealand, Chile and
Western Australia. The pepino dulce was being grown in San Diego before
1889 and was listed by Francisco Franceschi of Santa Barbara in 1897.
Improved cultivars were imported into California from New Zealand and
elsewhere in more recent times.
Adaptation:
The pepino dulce is a fairly hardy plant that grows at altitudes
ranging from near sea level to 10,000 ft. in its native regions.
However it does best in a warm, relatively frost-free climate. The
plant will survive a low temperature of 27 to 28° F if the freeze is
not prolonged, but may loose many of its leaves. It can be grown in
many parts of central and southern California, although it does best in
locations away from the coast and is not well suited for hot, interior
gardens. Pepino dulce has been grown and has fruited in the milder
areas of northern California (Sunset Climate Zones 16 and 17). The
plant is small enough to be grown satisfactorily in a container.
Description
Growth Habit: Pepino dulce is a small, unarmed, herbaceous plant
or bush with a woody base and fibrous roots. Growth is erect or
ascending to about 3 feet high and several feet across. It is similar
in these respects to a small tomato vine, and like the tomato may need
staking or other support.
Foliage:
The bright green leaves are sparsely covered with very small hairs. In
appearance the pepino dulce is much like a potato plant, but the leaves
may take many forms–simple and entire, lobed, or divided into leaflets.
Flowers:
The small flowers are blue, violet-purple or white marked with purple,
and are similar in form to unopened potato flowers. The pepino dulce is
deemed to be parthenocarpic but a much heavier crop results from
self-pollination or cross-pollination. The plants will not set fruit
until the night temperatures are above 65° F.
Fruit:
The fruit also show considerable diversity in size and shape. In the
areas of its origin there are small oblong types with many seeds, while
others are pear or heart-shaped with few or many seeds. Still others
are round, slightly larger than a baseball and completely seedless. The
colors also vary–completely purple, solid green or green with purple
stripes, or cream colored with or without purple stripes. The fruit of
cultivars grown in this country are usually round to egg-shaped, about
2 to 4 inches long, with some growing up to 6 inches. The skin is
typically yellow or purplish green, often with numerous darker streaks
or stripes. The flesh is greenish to white and yellowish-orange. Better
quality fruit is moderately sweet, refreshing and juicy with a taste
and aroma similar to a combination of cantaloupe and honeydew melon. In
poor varieties there can be an unpleasant “soapy” aftertaste. The fruit
matures 30 to 80 days after pollination.
Culture
Location:
The plant likes a sunny or semi-shaded, frost-free location, sheltered
from strong winds. It does well planted next to a south-facing wall or
in a patio.
Soil: The
pepino dulce does best in a fertile (but not too fertile), free
draining, neutral soil ( pH of 6.5-7.5). It is not as tolerant of
salinity as the tomato. Mulching will help suppress weed growth.
Irrigation:
The pepino dulce is quite sensitive to moisture stress as their root
systems spread out and are quite shallow. Irrigation techniques are
thus crucial for the health of the plants as well as for pollination,
fruit set and quality of the fruit crop. Some growers feel that
overhead sprinkling may even favor increased pollination. Microjets
appear to deliver moisture better than trickle irrigation.
Fertilization:
The plants should be fertilized in a manner similar to a tomato plant,
mixing in some well-rotted manure to the plant site several weeks in
advance and supplementing with a 5-10-10 NPK granular fertilizer as
needed. Soils that are too rich produce vigorous vegetative growth
which can lead to reduced fruit set and quality, plus an increase in
pest problems.
Pruning:
Pruning of the pepino dulce is not needed unless the plant is being
trained to a trellis. In this case treat it as one would a tomato vine.
Opening the the fruits to light increases the purple striping and
improves the general appearance.
Frost Protection:
In areas where frost may be a problem, providing the plant with some
overhead protection or planting them next to a wall or a building may
be sufficient protection. Individual plants are small enough to be
fairly easily covered during cold snaps by placing plastic sheeting,
etc. over a frame around them. Plastic row covers will also provide
some frost protection for larger plantings. Potted specimens can be
moved to a frost-secure area.
Propagation:
The pepino dulce can be grown from seeds, but is usually propagated
vegetatively from cuttings. Three to five inch stem cuttings are taken
leaving 4 or 5 leaves at the upper end. Treatment with rooting hormones
will help increase uniformity in rooting and development of heavier
root systems. The cuttings are then placed in a fast-draining medium
and placed under mist or otherwise protected from excessive water loss.
Bottom heat also is helpful. With the right conditions most of the
cuttings quickly root and are ready for potting up in individual
containers. Rooted cuttings set out after the danger of frost (February
to April) should be large enough to start blooming shortly after
planting. The fruit will then have time to grow and ripen during the
warm summer months. When planted out, a spacing of about 2 to 3 ft.
between bushes is recommended.
Pests and Diseases:
The plant is affected by many of the diseases and pests that afflict
tomatoes and other solanaceous plants, including bacterial spot,
anthracnose, and blights caused by Alternaria spp. and Phytophthora
spp. The various pests include spider mite, cut worm, hornworm, leaf
miner, flea beetle, Colorado potato beetle and others. Fruit fly is a
serious pest where they are a problem. Greenhouse grown plants are
particularly prone to attack by spider mites, white flies and aphids
Harvest:
Individual fruits should not be picked until they are completely mature
to assure the highest flavor and sugar content. Different cultivars
vary, but the ground color of many mature fruits is somewhat yellow to
light orange. Ripe fruit also bruises easily and requires careful
handling. Such fruit should store well for 3 to 4 weeks at around 38° F
under relatively high humidity. Fruit destined for distant markets
would need to be picked earlier just before full ripeness. As it turns
out this happens to be a good time to pick the fruit. Studies have
shown that fruit in the middle degree of ripeness has the best
performance in cold storage. Over-ripe fruit suffers most from
physiological problems such as internal breakdown, discoloration and
dehydration. If harvested too early, insufficient ripening and
development of flavor and sweetness can result. The pepino dulce is
commonly chilled and eaten fresh much like a cantaloupe or other melon.
Commercial Potential:
The pepino dulce is a successful commercial crop in several countries
such as New Zealand and Chile, and there appears to be no reason it
can’t find a niche in this country in Farmer’s Market sales and
elsewhere. The fruit is strikingly attractive and its storage
capability and shelf life permit great flexibility in marketing. For
good market acceptance it is important to select cultivars with the
sweetest and most flavorful fruit. Additional breeding and selection is
also needed to further enhance these qualities.
Cultivars
Colossal
Very large fruit, mostly cream-colored with light markings of purple.
Very juicy and sweet, free of soapiness, of good melon-like flavor,
especially when vine ripened. Self-fertile, but yields larger fruit
when cross-pollinated.
Ecuadorian Gold
A market cultivar in South America that produces good crops of
pear-like fruits over a long growing season. The fruit has an
attractive color, is well-marked and holds well on the plant.
Self-fertile, but should be thinned for better fruit size.
El Camino
Released in New Zealand in 1982 from material collected in Chile.
Medium to large, egg-shaped fruit with regular purple stripes.
Sometimes produces off-flavored fruits identifiable by their
brownish-green color. One of two leading commercial cultivars in New
Zealand.
Miski Prolific
Originated in San Jose, Calif. by Nancy Garrison, as a seedling of the
New Zealand cultivar Miski. Fruit creamy white with a faint salmon
glow, lightly striped with purple. Flesh deep salmon. Flavor rich,
sweet and aromatic, with no soapiness. Seeds few or none. Matures
early. Strong growing plant, bears well without pollination.
New Yorker
Introduced into California by Vincent Rizzo of New York state from
material obtained in Chile. Medium to large, oval fruit, apex pointed.
Skin smooth golden yellow when mature, prominently striped with deep
purple. Flesh firm, juicy, yellow-orange. Flavor sweet, virtually free
of soapiness. Seeds few. Keeps for several weeks. Upright growth habit.
Sets fruit well without cross pollination.
Rio Bamba
Originated in Vista, Calif by Patrick J. Worley. Named after the city
in Ecuador where the original plant was collected. Medium-sized fruit,
strongly striped with purple. Flavor excellent. Vining growth habit,
making an excellent climber or a hanging basket plant. Dark-green
leaves with reddish-purple veins, purple stems. Flowers darker than
normal, making an excellent display.
Temptation
Introduced by the Nurserymen’s Association of Western Australia. Large, high quality fruit.
Toma
Introduced into New Zealand from Chile in 1979, released there in 1983.
Medium-sized, oval fruit, 4 inches long, 3 inches in diameter, apex
pointed, shoulder well rounded. Skin smooth, cream-colored when ripe,
prominently striped with dark purple. Flesh firm, light cream in color,
very juicy. Flavor sweet and refreshing, with no hint of soapiness.
Seeds usually present. Keeping quality excellent. An important export
cultivar in Chile.
Vista
Originated in Vista, Calif. by Patrick J. Worley. A cross of Rio Bamba
and a seedling from South America. Medium-sized fruits have good flavor
and aroma. Upright, fairly compact plant of great vigor, self-fertile
and heavy yielding. Bright green, 3 inch long leaves.
Further
Reading
• Butterfield, Harry M. A History of Subtropical Fruits and Nuts in
California. University of California, Agricultural Experiment Station.
1963.
• Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990. 435-436.
• Heiser, Charles B. Jr. The Fascinating World of the Nightshades. Dover
Publications, 1987. Republication of 1969 edition. pp. 123-127.
• National Research Council. Lost Crops of the Incas. National Academy Press, 1989.
• Tankard, Glen. Tropical Fruit. Viking O’Neil, 1987. pp. 84-85.
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© Copyright 1996-2001, California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.
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