I heard rumors of a plant called the Peach Vine that was a fruit that you grew from seed in your garden. I wasn’t sure if this was true or a garden myth but if this plant existed I had to grow it in my garden! 
photo credit: wolfpix
The search was on for more information and the seeds. I found the seeds in Burgess seed catalog and placed an order. The garden would have a new fun plant!
Growing a new plant or crop is always an adventure. Sometimes it’s a disappointment but the fun it adds to the garden while watching it makes each day a joy to head to the garden. My neighbors always ask about my new plants too and have to come up to check how they are growing.
Peach Vine Plant or Vine Peach
A peach vine plant (Cucumis Melo Var “chito”) is about the same size and color as a peach. It’s a little lighter yellow and less orange in my opinion. It is said to have the same nutritional value as a peach.
I read that vine peaches make excellent jams and pies, and had a vine-ripe flavor and texture much like a mango. I was interested in the jam aspect of the fruit plus I like fruit.
I live in a zone 5 so was a little concerned about planting the seeds in the ground, not knowing how long they took to germinate. But I did plant them in the ground after all danger of frost was over. They germinated nicely and reminded me of cucumber seedlings.
My experience growing the peach vine was that is was unique and fun. It was easy to grow and I didn’t notice any insect problems. The fruit matured in about 80 days on vines that would spread out. The next year I put them by a trellis to grow. I prefer to trellis plants that vine. It makes weeding and garden cleaning easier.
The first year I planted them in hills like a cucumber or squash hill planting. The hills were 4 feet apart. I planted the seeds about 1/2 inch deep with 5 seeds in each hill. After they sprouted I thinned the plants down to the healthiest three plants. The fruit was about 3 inches in diameter when mature. It had a yellow skin with a white flesh.
Growing conditions
The peach vine plant likes full sun and about 6 to 8 hours of good light. I would use a lot of fertilizer or good compost for this plant because it bears a good crop. They have a very pretty yellow flower, which adds color to the garden and attract bees, butterflies and some types of birds.
I have heard that the plant was originally from China and introduced into America in the 1880’s. In the Orient this type of melon is pickled.
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