Vitamin nutmeg pumpkin. Description of the variety, photos, reviews

Description, characteristics of the variety

Vitamin nutmeg pumpkin, described below, has gained great popularity among other pumpkin plants due to the good taste of the pulp - it is very sweet, fibrous and contains a number of useful substances:

• Beta-carotene, which stimulates the production of vitamin A and improves vision.
• Vitamins C, B (including folic acid), D, PP, A and K (participates in the formation of protein in the blood).
• T-vitamins that prevent the development of anemia.
• Pectin.
• Plant fibers that promote weight loss and cleanse the body.
• Minerals – potassium, magnesium, manganese, calcium.

Pumpkin fruits have an oval or round shape and a dense peel with a smooth surface. They also have a slight ribbed surface. The color of the fruit can vary from light yellow to orange and even red-coral depending on the type (there are also gray pumpkins).

Spots or stripes of green appear on the surface of the vegetable, and the flesh itself has a rich orange-yellow hue. When you cut into a ripe pumpkin, it emits a distinct sugary aroma. The average weight of a mature pumpkin is 5 kg.

As it grows, the plant unravels, and its lashes reach up to 600 cm. The leaves are rectangular in shape and green in color with a gray tint. They are located on long petioles, each of which is covered with short white hairs.

Characteristics of nutmeg pumpkin variety Vitaminnaya.

Pumpkin petioles reach a length of 20-25 cm. A fine white coating is observed on the leaf veins. The peduncle is very wide with pronounced ribbing. The seed nest of a pumpkin is medium-sized.

The pumpkin blooms profusely, covered in large yellow flowers. They are located on long stalks and have a rich aroma.

This pumpkin variety is very heat-loving and does not like temperature changes, in particular frost. As a result of frost damage, the trunk blackens, and then the plant completely dies. Therefore, it is suitable for growing in the southern regions, because for the pumpkin to fully ripen, it takes more than 4.5 months after the seeds have sprouted.

In mid-latitude conditions, pumpkin is grown only in greenhouses while maintaining a stable temperature above +20 0C. Usually the pumpkin ripens by the end of September. It is quite productive - from 1 m2 you can harvest about 4 kg of ripe vegetables.

Vitamin Pumpkin: reviews from gardeners

Gardeners consider the advantages of the Vitaminnaya pumpkin to include active flowering and high productivity, resistance to the most common diseases and pests, excellent taste and the absence of obstacles to transportation.

Based on reviews of Vitaminnaya pumpkin, the variety also has disadvantages. These include the size of an adult plant, namely because of the large leaves, even one pumpkin plant of this variety takes up a large amount of land on the site, which not every gardener can afford. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that this variety is heat-loving and requires a constant air temperature above 20 °C, and therefore for central Russia this is an additional cost for equipping a greenhouse on their site. Insignificant, but still a disadvantage, is the late ripening period of the vegetable, when most amateur gardeners give preference to early varieties, which can please with their fruits as early as possible.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

When describing the benefits of nutmeg vitamin pumpkin, it is worth noting the following points:

• The culture blooms profusely, forming many flowers.
• Has high productivity.
• It has good taste, which makes it possible to use pumpkin for preparing various dishes.
• Has good resistance to transportation.
• Can be stored for a long time.
• Benefits the body when consumed regularly.

With all the positive aspects, it must be taken into account that for full ripening and getting a good harvest, it is better to grow in warm, southern regions. Also, the plant does not tolerate cold, and even minimal frosts lead to its death.

When planting pumpkin, it is necessary to have a large area, since it forms powerful stems during the growth process. They spread widely and occupy a large space.

Reviews from gardeners about this variety

According to many summer residents, the “Vitaminnaya” pumpkin has more advantages than disadvantages:

• seeds sold in stores germinate well;
• seedlings in open ground take root quickly;
• the pumpkin grows in all directions, spreading widely on the ground;
• weeds do not attack it, diseases are also rare guests;
• from 3 seedlings you can get up to 9 pumpkins, enough to eat yourself and treat your friends.

Many people note the pleasant taste, especially the delicious jams and puree soups made from it.

Planting methods and timing

Vitamin nutmeg pumpkin (a description of growing methods is presented in the table below) is grown from seeds both in open ground and in special pots in the form of seedlings.

When growing seedlings you must:

• Plant the seeds to a depth of 2-4 cm.
• 1 seed is planted in 1 pot or glass with a diameter of 9-10 cm.
• Keep containers with seedlings warm at a constant temperature.
• Moisten the soil well.

The pumpkin should be planted in a sunny and warm place, avoiding shaded areas - there should be access to direct sunlight.

Most often, pumpkin is grown in seedlings, since the planted vegetable from seeds does not always have time to ripen. This is due to the fact that the birthplace of pumpkin is South America.

Planting seedlings is done as follows:

1. First clear the area for planting of debris and dig up the roots of the plants. If earthen stones are found, they are broken.
2. Make furrows 10 cm deep in the prepared area.
3. Place the seedlings from the container along with the soil into the furrows.
4. Place the seedlings at a distance of 60 cm from each other.

You can protect seedlings from frost by growing them under a bucket. To do this, seedlings planted in the ground need to be covered on top with a bucket without a bottom. It should be covered with earth on all sides and covered with glass on top.

After the frost period, the bucket and glass are removed, and the ground around the plant is leveled. It is recommended to plant seeds in open ground in so-called mounds.

To do this you need:

1. In the area for planting pumpkins, make small hills of soil 8 cm high at a distance of 90 cm from each other in a row. And between the rows you should leave a distance of 180 cm.
2. At the top of the formed hills, make a depression of 2.5-3 cm.
3. Place 4-5 pumpkin seeds in the hole and cover with soil, lightly compacting it on top and sides.

After seed germination, it is necessary to leave 2-3 sprouts in the 1st hole. Seedlings can also be planted in this way, but 1 plant should be placed in 1 hole.

Direct sowing into the ground

In the southern regions, this heat-loving crop can be grown by direct sowing of seeds in open ground. This method requires compliance with the following rules:

• To get a good harvest, you need to prepare the site in advance, taking care of all the fertilizers. For 1 sq. m will need to introduce 6-8 kg of humus. There is an easier way - before planting, place a handful of humus in each hole.
• Arrange the holes in rows according to a 60x60 cm pattern.
• The optimal depth of the holes is about 10 cm. You need to put 2-3 seeds in each of them, and then sprinkle them with earth.
• Mulch the holes with peat on top.

Growing technology

Vitamin nutmeg pumpkin (a description of the characteristics of cultivation will help to avoid many of the difficulties associated with this process) needs good and regular care, including watering, weeding, protection from pests, etc.

Watering

Particular attention should be paid to watering the plant during the period of flowering and formation of ovaries. If there is insufficient humidity, the flowers will begin to fall off. Water for irrigation should not be cold. The optimal temperature is +20 0C. For these purposes, it is better to use rainwater or spring water. It should be clean without clouding or dirt.

When using tap water or water from an open source, it is recommended to first settle it. If a film forms on the surface of the water, this may indicate the presence of toxic substances in it.

1 bush requires approximately 10 liters of water. Such a large volume is due to the powerful root system of the pumpkin, which reaches 2-3 m in length. In addition, the large leaves of the plant contribute to the evaporation of large amounts of moisture.

When active fruit growth begins, watering the pumpkin should be done once a week, spending about 5 liters of water on each plant. If the weather is hot and dry, watering can be done more often - once every 2-3 days. After the fruit is fully formed, watering is stopped.

It is important to constantly monitor the level of soil moisture and prevent it from drying out. Increased humidity is also dangerous - the roots and stems of the plant will begin to rot. Watering should be done at the root, avoiding water getting on the leaves. This will prevent powdery mildew and sunburn.

You can use several watering methods:

• Manual is the easiest option. A hose or watering can is used. To avoid soil erosion and exposure of roots, a special nozzle is placed on the watering can and hose.
• Semi-automatic. This option is suitable for a large plot of land. To organize it, they loop the pipeline and run hoses from it to the beds. Small holes are made in these hoses to allow water to flow to the roots of the plant. It is important to ensure that the roots are not washed out.
• Auto. Watering is turned on and off independently according to the set time. The appropriate mode is selected using the available timer. This is the most expensive, but at the same time less labor-intensive method of watering.

Loosening and weeding

The soil must be constantly loosened to enrich it with oxygen and remove weeds. This should be done continuously until the pumpkin begins to spread out. The first loosening is carried out immediately after the sprouts appear. Its depth in the plant area should not exceed 6 cm.

Deeper loosening is done between the rows - 15-18 cm. It is recommended to do this before watering the pumpkin, as this will ensure that water quickly reaches the roots. When the pumpkin is spread out, it is advisable to loosen only at the root, avoiding damage to the plant. During the season, 2-3 cultivations are required.

Feeding

Vitamin nutmeg pumpkin (a description of the feeding process will allow you to get a good harvest) needs regular feeding - every 2 weeks. It is recommended to alternately apply fertilizers of mineral and organic origin to the soil.

When feeding it is recommended:

• Make grooves around each plant at a distance of 20 cm (the depth should be about 7 cm).
• The first time, apply fertilizer to the furrows and sprinkle with soil.
• Subsequent fertilizers are applied at a distance of 40 cm from the plants.
• It is better to use fertilizers in liquid form, since they reach the roots evenly and are absorbed faster.

Thinning

Weeding should be done after 2 true leaves appear on the sprouts. This must be done manually, leaving 2 plants in one hole. When the plant has already formed 4 true leaves, you should thin out the pumpkin and leave 1 plant. It is not recommended to pull out excess pumpkin sprouts by the roots - it is better to break them off at the root. This will protect against damage to the roots of permanent plants.

Bush formation

Many ovaries form on the pumpkin, which do not have time to fully ripen. Therefore, the plant needs to be shaped. To speed up the process of fruit formation and their further ripening, you need to leave 3 ovaries on one plant.

5 leaves are left above each of the future fruits, and new shoots need to be trimmed.

The remaining pumpkin stems are attached to the soil using hooks. And in order for additional roots to form from them, the shoots need to be covered with earth in 2-3 places. They need to be watered - this will ensure a good filling of fruits. The formed roots will provide the plant with additional nutrition.

Pollination

If little pollen reaches the flower when a pumpkin blooms, pollination does not occur. As a result, the flower turns out to be empty - without an ovary. To avoid this, gardeners recommend placing beehives near pumpkin beds.

But in hot weather or rain and cold, the activity of bees decreases significantly and unpollinated flowers begin to fall off en masse. Then the plant should be artificially pollinated.

To do this you need:

• In the morning (no later than 10 o’clock), pick 2 flowers that have just bloomed from the best plants.
• Remove the petals from the flowers and add pollen one at a time to the female flower (on the stigma). You need to touch the anthers of male flowers carefully and in different places.

This method allows you to increase productivity by at least 25%.

Butternut squash: rules for choosing a site and preparing a site for planting

Muscat varieties are not picky and do not require much attention or special care. However, you should know that, unlike others, varieties belonging to the nutmeg pumpkin group prefer warm conditions for growth. There are two ways to grow them. The first is seedlings, the second is seed. If you live in the northern regions of the country, then it is better to plant pumpkin through seedlings. In the south, seeds can be sown directly in open ground.

Before planting your beauty, decide on the location. She prefers to grow in open, sunny areas without drafts. Pumpkin is not picky about soil and can produce good yields in any type, but it prefers light and well-drained soils. It does not need fertilizers, but in order to saturate the soil with nutrients, especially if it does not correspond to the preferences of the vegetable, in the fall you can apply fertilizer in the form of mullein to the site and dig it well.

A good place for planting is considered to be where legumes belonging to the nightshade or cabbage families used to grow.

Disease and pest control

Pumpkin is quite resistant to pests, but it can be affected by wireworms, melon aphids, slugs, etc. Among the diseases, the most common are powdery mildew and rot. The table below presents popular methods of controlling pumpkin pests and diseases.

Care

The most unpretentious variety to care for is the “Vitaminnaya” nutmeg pumpkin. It is resistant to temperature changes and is not afraid of damp and windy weather, which often occurs in the summer in the middle zone. Description of the “Vitamin” pumpkin:

• suitable for growing in open ground;
• gives a large harvest in the conditions of the Russian Central region.

Pumpkin growing in open ground must be watered in the morning and evening, when there is no hot sun. If you water on a hot afternoon, the plant may die.

Pumpkin “Provence” and “Pearl” require special attention during the flowering period, since in the hot summer the flowers often dry out and fall off without forming ovaries. Therefore, it is necessary to water Provençal pumpkin during flowering at least twice a day.

If a gardener waters a pumpkin from a watering can, do not pour water close to the plant so as not to wash the roots. When watering with a hose, for the same reason, you should avoid strong water pressure.

In addition to watering, she needs:

• Mulching - the space between plants in the beds is filled with sawdust or dry straw;
• Weeding;
• Fertilizing with industrially produced mineral fertilizers.

When the plant begins to bear fruit, watering is gradually reduced to a minimum so that the pumpkin spends all its energy not on the formation of new shoots, but on the formation of the fruit.

For feeding, you should choose mineral fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium. Egg shells, bone meal, and diluted mullein are also great options. During the flowering period, fertilizing is intensified, and during the fruiting period it is temporarily stopped. Also, nutmeg pumpkin responds well to feeding with ash.

When the lashes begin to actively grow, they need to be carefully laid out on the ground. Then they will not strive upward, and flowers and ovaries will appear on the pumpkin faster.

Harvest and storage

The pumpkin should be harvested only after it is fully ripe. You can check the fruit for maturity by pressing on it with your fingernail. If after this there are no dents on the surface, the fruit can be collected. A completely dry stalk will also indicate maturity.

Harvesting is carried out taking into account the following points:

• The fruits need to be collected in dry weather.
• It is important to collect the pumpkin before the first frost - frozen fruit will not be stored for long and will begin to rot.
• The fruit is cut with a sharp knife, leaving a few cm of petiole on it.
• Unripe and damaged fruits should be used as quickly as possible.
• For long-term storage, it is recommended to dry and warm the fruits in the sun for about 10 days. If this period is accompanied by cold nights, the fruits should be covered with straw.
• When it rains, the fruits are placed under a canopy to evaporate excess moisture from them - this will allow the upper peel to harden more and reduce the risk of exposure to harmful microflora.
• After drying, dirt is removed from the fruit and stored in a dry, dark and cool room at a temperature from +5 to +15 0C. This could be a heated veranda, basement, barn, insulated balcony or garage. You can also store the fruit in a house/apartment. But when the temperature rises above +22 0C, the fruits will last no more than 2 months.
• Fruits should be placed for storage with the stalks facing up so that they do not touch each other. This will help protect them from damage, because if one fruit begins to rot, this process will spread to another.

It is worth noting that the longer the pumpkin is stored, the tastier and sweeter it becomes. The fact is that during storage, the starch accumulated during growth is converted into sugar.

If the fruit is quite large and it was not possible to use it up in one go, the remainder can be placed in the refrigerator - there it can be stored for 10 days. And if you wrap the pumpkin pieces in foil first, the shelf life in the refrigerator can be extended to 1 month

Lists of varieties for some regions

For the Middle Zone, Moscow region

Traditional butternut squash takes quite a long time to grow and slowly gains sweetness. To ripen, it requires more than 4 months of a frost-free period. But modern varieties and hybrids delight with early ripening and convenient sizes.

They ripen in temperate latitudes, even when sown directly into the ground. Dreaming of solid harvests, it is better to grow them in warm beds. For Central Russia, we select an assortment with early and mid-early ripening periods.

Varieties

• Augustine
• Butternut
• droplet
• Matilda
• Moscow aromatic
• Tsukatnaya

Hybrids

• Pineapple F1
• Ariel F1
• Atlas F1
• Autumn Crown F1
• Sibel F1
• Super F1
• Havana F1

Pineapple F1

For Siberia, Urals

The abundance of summer sun allows the pumpkin to ripen even in the harsh continental climate, with its sharp temperature changes. Every year, early ripening varieties and unpretentious hybrids are successful, in which 80–100 days pass from germination to harvest.

Preparing seedlings and using greenhouses ensures that the culture moves further north.

Varieties

• Augustine
• Peanut butter
• Pearl
• Maria
• Honey Guitar
• Honey August
• Honey Tale
• Walnut
• Sugar mace
• Miracle Yudo

Hybrids

• Amati F1
• Pluto F1
• Tiana F1

Sugar mace from #SeDeK

Growing Tips

The following recommendations will help you grow pumpkins and get a good harvest:

• If the soil is infertile, it can be fertilized by adding compost before planting. It is recommended to do this in the fall after harvesting. The soil should be loosened to a depth of 15-20 cm and mixed with compost.
• After planting the seedlings, it is recommended to cover them with film - this will protect the plant from frosts, which can occur in early June.
• To save space and make picking easier, you can organize the pumpkin to grow vertically. To do this, near each hole with a plant you need to install a lattice or a pole for support. When the first shoots appear, they need to be carefully wrapped around the support. As a result, they will begin to weave upward.
• Water the pumpkin early in the morning or evening. If the weather is hot, it is recommended to water in the evening - the plant will receive the required amount of moisture overnight.

If you follow the recommendations described above, you can grow vitamin-rich nutmeg pumpkin on your own plot and get a tasty, very healthy product.

Vitamin Pumpkin: history of the variety

Vitamin Pumpkin: photo of variety

Mexico is considered the birthplace of Vitamin pumpkin. Thanks to the climate and abundant sunshine in Mexico, pumpkin specimens grow up to one hundredweight or more. In this country, it is very popular to use pumpkin for food, and it is very often found in recipes for national dishes.

In Russia, it is difficult to grow multi-kilogram pumpkins due to climatic conditions. However, in the mid-20th century, Soviet agronomists developed a variety of nutmeg pumpkin, which was given the name “Vitaminnaya”. Fruits that can reach up to 7 kg. Pumpkin of this variety is very heat-loving, so it grows well in the Russian south and in the southern regions of the European part of Russia.

Varieties of hard-bark pumpkin

This group also includes zucchini and squash.

• This variety can most often be found in Russian areas.
• Hard-bark varieties are characterized by long plant stems - up to 7 m. They are also called table plants.
• But there are also plants with short stems.

Bun

Bun

• Early variety. It takes about 3 months to get the first pumpkins.
• The fruits are small - 1.5 kg, colored orange. White stripes divide it into segments.
• The inside is sugary, juicy, and orange in color.
• The variety is suitable for storage. The harvested crop can be consumed fresh, used for making juices, dietary dishes, etc.

Gymnosperm

Gymnosperm

• Gymnosperm pumpkin is a group of plants whose seeds are not covered with a hard shell. This variety was known at the beginning of the 20th century, but nowadays it has begun to gain popularity again.
• Externally, the fruits are not particularly attractive - they are green and yellow in color. The outside is covered with a dense, hard, but thin peel. Round in shape, with barely noticeable ribbing, weighing 3-7 kg.
• The first harvest is harvested 4 months after emergence. The shelf life of the fruit is about 2 months.
• The pulp is used both in raw form and for preparing various dishes, as well as in cosmetology and medicine. Some sources say the best time to use pumpkins is a few weeks after picking. At this point they reveal their full taste.
• Most often, this variety is grown specifically for seeds. Representatives of gymnosperms are recommended to be planted away from other pumpkin vegetables, as they can cross-pollinate. In this case, the seed will already have a dense shell.

The most famous varieties of gymnosperm pumpkin:

• Danae
• Olga
• Miranda
• Hamlet
• Gymnosperm 14