yep we ahve a plant in the ground for the second season now so expecting fruit this year, they are very tropical fruit fly suseptable so not sure if we are on top of the f/f yet but time will tell.

they don't like the cold but ours came though a couple of frost largely unscathed, mainly due to density of growth offereing protection to much of the plant.

if you ahve doubts with keeping them going through winter take cuttings late summer, strike them in water then poit them and over-winter them in a warm spot, cuttings are supposed to fruit in the first season where as seedling need 2 seasons.

have you ever eaten the fruit fresh from the vine so to speak (they are from the same 'nightshade' family as tomato's, capsicum, tobacco etc.,.), they need to be properly ripe and taste like extra juicy but sweeter than honey dew melons, very thin skin use a potato peeler to peel them our grand kids love them.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page

Somebody call?

All of what Len said rings true. They should do well in SA. Just make sure they have lots of water in Summer.

Thanks so much Len and Pepino! Looking forward to planting a few and seeing how they go.

Cymbeline, are they named varieties or simply the pepino "gold". I hear there are other varieties, however, I have never seen them available.

Hi Pepino,
I've only seen the "gold' variety and the two I have now planted are of that variety. Yes, I've heard of other varietieis available too, but haven't seen them for sale.