Pumpkin / Squash

Cucurbita maxima

Plant family

Kürbisgewächse (Cucurbitaceae) (Cucurbitaceae)

Season Overview

Propagating

Planting

Harvest

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Very humid

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Seeding distance

100 cm

Row spacing

150 cm

Seeding depth

3 cm

Instructions

End of April

Propagating

End of May

Harden

Description

The pumpkin is an annual, water and nutrient-hungry crop. It loves warmth, is strongly tendril and can reach a considerable size. The pumpkin fruit is an armored berry, which differs in shape, color and size depending on the variety. Accordingly, it is divided into edible, fodder and ornamental pumpkins. Female and male flowers form on the same plant. Male flowers grow on long stalks, female flowers you can recognize by a thick round ovary at the base of the flower.

Origin:

Central and South America

Growing tips

Bushy growing pumpkins need about 1 m² area, climbing pumpkins about 3 m² area. We recommend you to pre-grow seedlings. Important for healthy growth and abundant fruiting is a steady supply of water and nutrients. In case of drought or lack of fertilization, the small pumpkins will be partially rejected. At temperatures below 5°C you should cover the whole plant with fleece. You should remove the fleece as soon as flowers appear. Under the fruits you should put a small wooden board, a flat stone or straw to prevent the fruits from rotting on wet soil. You can harvest as soon as the pumpkin sounds hollow when you "tap" it. To harvest, cut the pumpkin off at the stem, but leave part of the stalk attached to the fruit. Otherwise, the pumpkins will rot quickly and cannot be stored for as long.