When to Plant Mini Watermelon Pepquino, Its Price per Jin, and How to Eat It
Pepquino generally refers to the mouse melon, whose fruit is oval and fleshy, just like a miniature version of a small watermelon. It originated in Central America. It has been successfully cultivated in many places, and its cultivation method is no different from growing cucumbers, which is relatively simple. So, when is it better to plant Pepquino? How much is it per jin? How do you eat it?
When is it better to plant Pepquino?
The “mouse melon” can be cultivated in spring and summer, and it is best to choose a sunny location or a plastic greenhouse. It is suitable for planting in fields with loose, fertile soil and convenient drainage and irrigation; during the growing period, pay attention to the supply of fertilizer and water to increase yield. A neutral or slightly acidic soil pH is beneficial for improving quality. If indoor seedling raising is used, transplanting outdoors after the leaves have grown gives better results. It can be grown either trailing on the ground or on a trellis, and trellising gives a larger yield. The growth cycle is generally 60-85 days; after trellising, a single plant reaches 1.2-1.8 m in height, and each plant produces 60-90 fruits.
Sow from late February to April: they germinate at a temperature of about 24°C, and when two or three leaves have grown, the temperature can be lowered to about 18-21℃. During the first four weeks of growth, give them enough warmth. Potted plants are usually fine placed on a sunny windowsill. The harvest season is from July to September.
How much is Pepquino per jin?
On June 27, 2013, the Gaolaozhuang Fruit and Vegetable Professional Cooperative in Shanyang Town, Jinshan District successfully grew the “mouse melon”. This melon is about the size of a cherry tomato, with pale green flesh inside and a slightly sweet taste; it is mini and cute. According to the person in charge of the cooperative, the “mouse melon” was planted in Shanghai for the first time, but it is actually not a watermelon; rather, it is a fruit originating from South America, the “mouse melon”. After 3 years of cultivation, it was finally successfully grown in Shanghai. The market price is about 160 yuan/kg.
How do you eat Pepquino?
The fruit of the mouse melon is edible and can be eaten directly, and the seeds are edible too; this watermelon fruit is delicious and has an aroma similar to banana and lime. The “mouse melon” generally can only be seen in high-end restaurants, mainly in salads. This mini watermelon can be eaten in many ways, from salads to desserts: it can be eaten directly as a snack or appetizer, or paired with a simple summer salad as a home-style dish; it can also be made into a stir-fried watermelon dish, or its juice can be made into popsicles to relieve the summer heat, and if paired with dark chocolate the flavor is even better.