Cucumis melo 'Pepito'

RHS Plant Profile
melon 'Pepito'

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Annual Biennial Fruit Edible

A cantaloupe type, greenhouse melon cultivar producing oval ‘rugby ball’ shaped fruit with deep orange, sweet flesh. Shows good disease resistance

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing, Trailing
Potentially harmful
Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Cucumis is a genus of twining plants with tendrils which includes cucumber, melons and gerkins. Around 30 species are native to Africa and 25 to India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Start from seed or buy as small plants and grow in a heated greenhouse, or on a windowsill. Can be moved to an unheated greenhouse, or outdoors, once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly, feed plants in containers every 10-14 days, and provide support. See melon cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

Under glass, remove the tip of the plant once it reaches the top of the support. Shorten sideshoots to two leaves beyond any developing fruit, or to 60cm if they have no fruit. If left to trail outdoors shorten the main shoot, and sideshoots with no fruit, after seven leaves

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails and red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fusarium wilt and cucumber mosaic virus