The melon pear, also called Pepino, is a plant from the southern hemisphere of the world. It thrives in regions where the winters are warm and therefore the question of overwintering does not arise at all. Here, however, answering them is vital to survival. Also for the popular Sugar Gold!
How do I overwinter the Sugar Gold melon pear?
To overwinter the Sugar Gold melon pear successfully, place it in a cool, bright room such as a cellar with a window or a cool stairwell at temperatures between 5 and 10 °C. Water the plant sporadically, but do not fertilize it.
Winter hardiness is not one of its advantages
The Sugar Gold is not hardy, it can only tolerate cold to a certain extent. Values above 10 °C are considered acceptable. That's why this melon pear should under no circumstances be allowed to overwinter outside.
Depending on the weather, the move will take place sometime between mid-September and the end of November. The plant is only allowed outside again in April, provided there are no late frosts. Beforehand, it is repotted into new substrate.
Tip
Don't plant the Sugar Gold in the garden bed, but rather in a pot. This makes the move easier.
Sugar Gold can spend the winter here
Even if the sun is loved in summer, the Sugar Gold melon pear needs a little rest in winter. For this to happen, the room must be cooler than is usually the case in living rooms.
- overwinter cool between 5 and 10 °C
- However, the room should be bright
- A cellar with a window is ideal
- cool stairwells are also suitable
- the plant should not touch other plants
- otherwise cut back
Tip
If the winter quarters are accessible at ground level, it can be an enormous relief for you to place the bucket on furniture rollers (€29.00 at Amazon). This allows you to easily change the location of the melon pear. This means it can stand outside during the day and roll back into the house at night, especially in spring.
Care during wintering
While you overwinter the melon pear, you will not see any lush growth on it. You shouldn't put your care on hold because of this. Don't let the root ball dry out completely, give it small amounts of water every now and then. However, take a break from fertilizing.
The harvest of the melon pear can continue in the winter quarters. Because if all the fruits are not yet ripe at the time of the move, they can continue to ripen in the house.
