The melon pear, which migrated from South America, is not yet a common plant in this country. If you want to enjoy their fruits, you should know everything about the harvest. When can this begin and when does it end? And does the chosen fruit already have the best possible aroma? We'll answer these questions now!
When are the melon pears ready to harvest?
The harvest of the melon pear begins when it smells sweet and aromatic, gives a little when pressed, the peel is discolored typical of the variety and the taste is reminiscent of pear and melon. Harvest maturity is usually reached in late summer after around 90 days.
Fruit setting needs warmth
When does the melon pear actually bear fruit? A good question! Because it can be a big surprise when the hoped-for harvest falls through. When the flowers appear in spring, pollination is easy. The plant is self-pollinating and the insects also participate.
In order for the pollinated flowers to actually develop into fruits, the outside temperature must be right at the time of flowering. What is required is several nights in a row with at least 18 °C.
Harvest in about 90 days
The fruits of the melon pear need around 90 days until they are edible and therefore ready to harvest. This will usually be the case in late summer. But an unfavorable weather summer can lead to harvest delays, just as a warm summer regularly accelerates ripening.
Only harvest when the fruits are ripe
Don't go by the calendar, but by the ripeness of the fruit. Only when they have reached the optimal level of ripeness will their flesh delight you with its wonderful taste. Don't wait too long to pick or the melon pear will soften. You can tell that a fruit is ripe by:
- it smells sweet and aromatic
- she gives in a little under pressure
- the color of the shell has changed depending on the variety
- the taste has the aromas of pear and melon
Tip
Increase the harvest quantity by pruning out the flowerless side shoots as soon as possible. Because after that even more flowers will form on the other shoots.
Store large harvest quantities
If you have harvested more fruit than you can use in a timely manner, you should store it in the refrigerator. They will remain usable for about 2-3 weeks.
Harvesting unripe fruits
When winter approaches and a specimen is still covered in unripe fruit, it has to move into its winter quarters. The melon pear is not hardy and cannot overwinter outside.
Let the fruits ripen on the plant in the winter quarters. If you do not have a suitable overwintering space and only cultivate the plant as an annual, you should harvest the unripe fruits before the first frost. At room temperature, these fruits ripen within a few days.
