About
Cucumis melo 'Pepito' is a cantaloupe variety known for its oval, rugby ball-shaped melons. The fruit features sweet, deep orange flesh and exhibits strong resistance to various diseases.
About the genus
Cucumis is a genus of climbing plants characterized by their tendrils, encompassing cucumbers, melons, and gherkins. Approximately 30 species are indigenous to Africa, while 25 species are found in India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Climbing, Trailing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- 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
- 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
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails and red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fusarium wilt and cucumber mosaic virus