With the melon pear, also called pear melon or pepino, there is no way around overwintering. Because in this country it is simply too cold for them in winter. Here you can find out when you have to provide her with a frost-free place and what care is required.

When the outside temperature is below 5°C, the melon pear must stay inside

This temperature range is tolerated

While the nightshade plant, which originates from South America, requires plenty of sun in summer, it can also get cooler for it in winter. It will be able to withstand temperatures of up to around 10 °C outdoors, and 5 °C is just tolerable. Sub-zero temperatures, on the other hand, freeze the plant from tip to root, because it is not hardy at all.

So if you've toyed with the idea of overwintering the melon pear outside, you should drop it as soon as possible. Instead, put the Pepino away as long as the temperatures outside are not tolerable for them. This can be the case from late September to mid-May.

Notice:
The hardiness trait is not so easy to breed. The variety "Suger Gold", which is often offered in this country and is very popular, must also be overwintered.

This winter home comes into question

The room in which a melon pear is in good hands in winter offers it temperature values between 5 and 10 °C and a lot of light. In addition, it should be given enough space in it so that it does not come into contact with other plants.

The melon pear should be wintered neither cooler nor warmer. If you don't have a suitable hibernation facility at home, you can ask friends or a nursery for a hibernation facility. Otherwise you have no choice but to cultivate the plant as an annual.

tips

If there is a lack of space in the winter quarters or it is not bright enough there, you can cut back the melon pear.

The existence in the winter quarters

Winter care also includes the following points:

  • restrained casting
  • just enough to keep the root ball from drying out
  • regular checks for pest infestation
  • Collecting and disposing of fallen leaves

There is no need to fertilize at all during the winter. At the end of the winter period, the melon pear gets fresh soil and, if necessary, a slightly larger pot.

The harvest thing

It may well be that at the beginning of the hibernation period, the harvest has not yet fully come in. Fruits that are still hanging on the plant are allowed to ripen in the winter quarters…

Category:

Vegetable garden