Cucurbita pepo
DESCRIPTION
Grow your own Halloween pumpkin! Fun to follow this fast-growing crop that in a few months develops large, well-shaped pumpkins that you can create scary figures from. Perfect to grow with children. The flesh is also good in cooking. Long storage life.
LIFE CYCLE: ONE YEAR
COLOR: ORANGE
GROWING POSITION: SUN
SEEDS/BAG: 10 PCS
PRE-CULTIVATION
SOWING TIME: APRIL-MAY
SOWING DEPTH: 2-3 CM
GROOMING TIME: 7-10 DGR
FINAL PLANTING
PLANT SPACING: 100 CM
ROW SPACING 120 CM
HARVEST FESTIVAL: 4-5 MONTHS AFTER SOWING
SOWING AND HARVESTING PUMPKINS
Growing location : Grown outdoors/in a flowerbed or in a pallet collar in a sunny location (6-7 hours of sun/day).
AT SOWING
Sow indoors in April-May. It is advisable to soak the seeds for about a day before sowing, as this will help them germinate faster. Sow the seeds in pots measuring approximately 10x10 cm filled with potting soil. Place one seed per pot 2-3 cm deep and cover with soil.
Mark the sowing with markers. Specify the variety and date.
Cover the seeds with a transparent cover with air holes (e.g. plastic film, a recycled plastic bag or a plastic lid with air holes). Tip – use a greenhouse and place a capillary mat in the bottom to provide an even and good water supply. The seeds need heat to germinate. Place on a heated floor, heating mat or in a window above a radiator.
Water regularly with lukewarm water throughout the season – the seeds should always be moist!
1-2 WEEKS AFTER SOWING
Provide light. As soon as the seed has germinated and emerged, usually after 7-10 days, it needs a lot of light. Remove the cover and place the pot in a brighter and cooler location.
FINAL PLANTING
Harden off the plant when the risk of frost is over, to accustom it to the outdoor environment. Start with 1 hour/day and gradually increase the time outside. Avoid direct sunlight which is too strong for the tender leaves. After a week or so it is ready for a permanent life outdoors.
Plant the plant in its growing location, for example in a flowerbed or pallet collar, with 100 cm between each plant and 120 cm between each row. Plant in well-fertilized soil. It is advisable to cover with non-woven fabric for the first 1-2 weeks outdoors to give them a good start and protect the plants.
Fertilize regularly throughout the season.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Harvest. About 4-5 months after sowing, you can harvest large pumpkins that can be used both as decoration and for cooking. It's always fascinating how a small seed can become something so big in such a short time!
