Features of growing large-fruited pumpkin varieties

Description of large-fruited pumpkin varieties

The main feature of this variety of Cucurbita is, as one can already judge from its name, the large size of the fruits. These popular pumpkins, grown by Russian summer residents for many decades, are primarily distinguished by their fairly soft and fibrous pulp and thin, not too hard skin.

Large-fruited pumpkin can be grown in almost all regions of Russia, including the Urals and Siberia. Breeders have bred a total of about 100 varieties of this variety of Cucurbita - more than any other.

Features of agricultural technology for large-fruited pumpkins

Pumpkin, like all vegetables, needs plenty of light, heat and moisture. Therefore, you should choose a site for the plant that is sunny and protected from the wind.

On a note. A suitable place would be a garden bed on the south side of the house or outbuildings.

Almost all large-fruited pumpkins are climbing, so when planting the plant there must be supports nearby (special trellises, a fence or a wall). A rich harvest can only be grown in loose, nutritious soil. Heavy and acidic soil is not suitable for pumpkin.

Preparing seeds and growing seedlings

In order for the pumpkin to have time to fully ripen in difficult climatic conditions, vegetable growers grow the plant through seedlings.

The largest and highest quality seeds are selected for sowing. The best way to prepare seed material is germination.

To do this, 2-3 days before sowing, the seeds are placed in warm water (45-50 °C) for two hours, then they are wrapped in a damp cloth and kept at room temperature until they hatch. Soaking seeds is a mandatory process. This procedure promotes rapid emergence and protects seeds from pests.

After planting the seeds, seedlings will appear on about the fourth day. The air temperature during the week should be within +18...+25°C, then it is reduced to +15...+18°C. This is done so that the seedlings do not stretch out and grow strong.

The seedlings are watered regularly, but in moderation. Stagnant water is harmful to roots. After two weeks, fertilizing is carried out. To do this, mullein is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10 and each plant is watered with 100 ml of a nutrient solution. Fertilizer is applied after moistening the seedlings. If there is no mullein, use nitrophoska as a top dressing, following the instructions.

Planting, care and cultivation

Planting is carried out according to the scheme, taking into account that such a pumpkin needs freedom. Between plants, at least 1 m is usually left, but for some varieties - up to 2 m.

During the season, the crop is fed twice:

• for the first time - 10 days after planting the seedlings in a permanent place of growth;
• The following fertilizers are applied during the period of vine formation.

To do this, use bird droppings (1:20), diluted mullein (1:10), and an infusion of wood ash. Also a good complex fertilizer would be the drug “Nitrophoska”. They feed the pumpkin both the first time and the second time.

Important! Fertilizers are applied in the form of water infusions.

During the entire growing season, the vegetable is watered abundantly, especially during flowering and fruit set. The water should be settled and warm. After moistening, the soil is carefully loosened, and at the same time rid of weeds. For better pumpkin growth, mulching is carried out (the ground is covered with straw, bark, or a special cloth).

Formation of pumpkin bushes

Pumpkin grows quite quickly at the beginning. Since this is a spreading plant, the territorial boundaries of the crop must be respected. To do this, pumpkin bushes are formed while the vines are blooming.

Before the first inflorescences appear, it is necessary to pinch the bud at the top of the shoot. This is done to allow side shoots to grow.

Important! You should also remove young shoots growing “in the axils” that have reached 5-7 cm.

Such measures prevent the plant from wasting its vital forces on excess leaves and vines, directing them to the formation and cultivation of pumpkin fruits.

One ovary should be left on each branch.

Pollination

Usually this crop is pollinated by insects, but if there are no bees or bumblebees on the site (during rain or prolonged heat), the plant will have to be pollinated independently. To do this, apply the stamen of a male flower to the pistil of a female flower. The procedure is carried out in the morning, trying not to miss the moment of opening of the flowers.

Need to know! Female pumpkin flowers have a slight thickening - the fruit; in male pumpkin flowers there is a stem immediately after the flower.

If pollination does not occur, fruits will not form.

Pumpkin Titan

This wonderful variety, in addition to the large size of the fruits, is distinguished by:

• long shelf life of the crop;
• excellent taste of pumpkin pulp.

The Titan hybrid is absolutely unpretentious in care. It is believed that this pumpkin variety is best suited for open ground. After all, its fruits actually grow simply huge. In most cases, Titan pumpkins weigh 30-50 kg. But some summer residents manage to grow fruits of this variety that weigh 100-150 kg. In order to get such huge pumpkins from Titan, you just need to leave no more than 1-2 ovaries on one bush.

The vines of this variety are quite long and spreading. Therefore, it is recommended to plant Titan seeds in increments of at least 1.5 m.

butternut squash

butternut squash

• Butternut squash is one of the most beloved members of the pumpkin family among gardeners. She is originally from Mexico. It got its name for its subtle nutmeg aroma.
• Its popularity is associated with its taste, rich color of pulp, and long shelf life. That’s why nutmeg pumpkin is also called winter squash. After resting for a long time, its flesh acquires a more saturated color. But it is not recommended to store vegetables for more than six months.
• This species includes many varieties. They all have different shapes and colors. Most varieties have elongated fruits - pear-shaped, oval, cylindrical.
• A distinctive feature of this group of plants is the pentagonal stalk of the pumpkin. But all representatives have a thin peel that is easy to peel.
• Butternut squash is best suited for growing in the southern regions of the country. In central Russia you can plant it using seedlings or in greenhouses.
• Almost all varieties are late ripening.

Spanish guitar

Spanish guitar

• The plant received its name for the unusual shape of its fruits, weighing up to 8 kg. The length of vegetables depends on the fertility of the soil and ranges from 70-100 cm, diameter - about 17 cm.
• This is a mid-season variety that has good shelf life and tastes like apricots. There are few seeds in the dense pulp; they are located only in the thickened part of the vegetable.
• The skin is thin and the inside of the pumpkin is orange. There are no ribs on the surface of the fruit.
• The variety is suitable for consumption raw, but has not yet become widespread in our country.

Tsukatnaya

Tsukatnaya

• The first harvest of candied pumpkin is harvested 4-5 months after the sprouts appear. The variety is classified as mid-late.
• The fruits are light brown in color and have a rounded-flattened shape. After maturation, their average weight is 5 kg. The inside is sugary, crispy, and orange in color.
• Candied pumpkin is widely used for the manufacture of confectionery, medicinal and baby food.
• The harvested crop can be transported and stored for a long time.

Vitamin

Vitamin

• A late variety of nutmeg pumpkin, the fruits of which fully ripen no less than 3.5 months after the appearance of the first shoots. One plant usually produces 2-3 fruits.
• Oval ribbed pumpkins, weighing up to 5 kg. The peel is thin, orange in color. The pulp is juicy orange, dense and crispy. It tastes sweet. Widely used for making juice, confectionery, and also suitable for fresh consumption.
• Fruits can be stored, but for a short period of time.

Marble

Marble

• A variety with an average period of fruit ripening, intended for planting in warm regions of Russia. On average, the first harvest is harvested 4 months and 10 days after the first shoots appear.
• The bushes form green-gray pumpkins of a flattened round shape, weighing 6-10 kg. Their flesh is loose, orange in color, and pleasant to the taste. After ripening, the peel acquires a green, gray color.
• The variety is suitable for transportation over long distances. The fruits do not crack or rot.
• At low air temperatures, pumpkins can be stored for a long time - about 1 year.

Muscat de Provence

Muscat de Provence

• Bred by French breeders.
• The first fruits of Muscat de Provence can be enjoyed 110 days after emergence.
• They have a round, flattened shape and gain weight of no more than 4 kg.
• The outside of the fruit is orange in color with many ribs.
• Inside, the pumpkin is orange in color, dense in consistency, sweet and juicy.
• Vegetables can be harvested before they are fully ripe and stored for a long time at a temperature of 8-10 C.

Walnut

Walnut

• The plant has another equally well-known name - butternut, or moschata. It was obtained by Israeli scientists by crossing an African pumpkin and a variety of butternut squash.
• One of the few representatives of the group that ripens in 3-3.5 months.
• The plant bears fruit best when no more than 5 fruits are left on one bush, which weigh 1-1.2 kg when ripe.
• The vegetable itself has an elongated shape and looks like a zucchini. The color of the dense peel and pulp is yellow. The fruit inside is fibrous, juicy, with a light nutty aroma and a small amount of seeds.
• The plant has one drawback - it requires proper care to produce tasty, aromatic fruits.
• Butternuts can be picked before they are fully ripe. Vegetables ripen outside the bush, which allows them to be stored longer. They are usually picked at the end of summer, beginning of autumn, if there is a risk of cold weather.
• The fruits can be used both for preparing various sweet dishes and added to meat. Lovers of raw vegetables can use it in its unprocessed form.

Paris red

This variety is famous primarily for its high yield. At the same time, the weight of Parisian red pumpkin can reach up to 20 kg. The pulp of the fruits of this variety is pale yellow. The advantages of the Paris Red include good transportability.

Among other things, the fruits of this pumpkin also have a relatively good taste. However, in this regard, according to summer residents, they are unfortunately inferior to many other varieties. Most homestead owners still prefer to grow Paris Red primarily for animal feed.

Large-fruited

The name of the species is a botanical term, and it does not always correspond to the actual gigantic size. Unlike the nutmeg variety, the pulp does not have a specific aroma (and many people like it), but it is tender (without coarse fibers) and, as a rule, sweet. The group presents excellent varieties of pumpkin for juice, and some for producing large seeds.

Bun

Early ripening, compact (stems up to 1 m). The fruits are sugary, resemble tangerines in shape and color, and weigh up to 1.5 kg.

Sweetie

Very early (85 days), round-flat, red-orange outside and inside. “Candies” weighing 1–3 kg are quickly poured onto long vines, 5–6 pieces per plant. A dessert variety, the taste qualities are very high.

Arina

Early: 4-5 pumpkins (3 kg each) ripen on one root in 100 days. Round shape; the surface is silver-gray, with barely perceptible ribbing. The pulp is yellow, sugary, not watery. The seeds are full-bodied.

Graceful

A semi-bush variety, resistant to cold snaps and soil drought. Ripens in 3 – 4 months. Pumpkins are turban-shaped, gray on the outside, dark orange on the inside; they are sugary, crispy, starchy, not too juicy. Weight 3 – 6 kg.

Flashlight

Mid-early, long-stemmed variety. Pumpkins are round, with narrow smoothed ribs, orange, up to 6 kg in size. The pulp is yellow, juicy, moderately sweet.

Russian porridge

Mid-season, climbing. The fruits are spherical, up to 7 kg in size, orange inside and out, with a classic pumpkin aroma.

Merchant's wife

This is a real large-fruited variety with medium ripening periods: weight 10 – 25 kg. Smooth, round balls of sunny color give juicy pulp and large seeds.

Centner (Yellow quintal)

Medium ripening variety, originally from Germany. In favorable conditions, pumpkin can stretch 50 kg or more - round, flattened at the top and bottom. The skin is honey-yellow. The thick layer of orange pulp accumulates a lot of sugars and vitamins.

Titanium

Seed producers promise record fruits measuring a quarter of a hundredweight. A similar result is hardly achievable in northern latitudes, but pumpkins will still grow well, especially from seedlings. The shape is oval, with shallow frequent ribs. The color is amber yellow.

Pumpkin Yellow quintal

This variety was bred by German breeders. The weight of a Yellow quintal pumpkin fruit can reach 55 kg. The advantages of this variety are primarily considered:

• ease of care;
• high resistance to major diseases of pumpkin crops.

Yellow quintal pumpkin pulp contains simply a huge amount of sugars and carotene. Therefore, in everyday life and industry it is used, including for the production of baby food products - various kinds of juices and purees. The advantages of the Yellow Centner are also good shelf life and transportability.

General information and classification

This vegetable crop, also called watermelon, is known among amateur gardeners and in industrial cultivation.

Depending on the thickness of the outer skin, all varieties of pumpkin are divided into 3 groups:

1. hard-barked (the fruits are covered with a hard crust with a waxy coating, the shape of the pumpkins is elongated, cylindrical);
2. nutmeg (the skin is thin, soft, and the fruits are elongated);
3. large-fruited (varieties with soft skin and round pumpkins).

Large-fruited pumpkin is most often grown in home gardens. It produces very large fruits. Hard-barked pumpkin varieties are stored for a long time, but are characterized by small pumpkin sizes. The sweetest varieties belong to the butternut squash category.

All types can be divided into groups depending on their purpose:

• feed pumpkin;
• decorative varieties;
• canteens;
• pumpkin varieties for juice;
• varieties for seeds.

Acorn

This pumpkin is also called acorn pumpkin due to the characteristic shape of its fruit. The fruits of the Acorn variety do not grow too large. But the flesh of this pumpkin is tender, juicy and relatively sweet. The peel of the fruit of the variety may have different colors. The flesh of the Acorn pumpkin has a rich dark yellow hue.

Like most other hard-barked Cucurbita, this variety is a low-maintenance bush variety. And many summer residents value it, among other things, for its ease of care. The sweet pulp of this pumpkin is often used to make desserts. In addition, Acorn fruits, due to their special shape, are also considered very convenient for stuffing.

Decorative pumpkins

This group is very conventional, since the original pumpkins are not only beautiful, but also edible. Another thing is that many are small and do not have much nutritional value. Climbing forms with unusual pumpkins are good for vertical gardening. The ripe fruits are used to decorate the interior, make dishes and other crafts. The shape and color are exotic.

Tangerine

The fruits of the small-fruited variety of orange pumpkin are almost indistinguishable in appearance from bright citrus fruits. They generously cover the vine until the autumn frosts, and then create a festive atmosphere in the apartment.

Pear-shaped

Miniature “pears” and “mushrooms” amaze with a variety of shades; There are some very fancy ones - multi-colored and warty. Larger molds are suitable for making jugs.

Turban-shaped

The varieties Red Riding Hood, Turkish Turban, etc. are always popular. They are great for decorating a garden or balcony, because they are powerful vines with large foliage and bright flowers.

Stars

Mini-pumpkins made from the multi-colored mixture “Stars of Scheherazade” resemble squash or starfish. The length of the shoots is 4 m.

Lagenaria

Belongs to a separate genus of the pumpkin family. In the middle zone it grows more successfully in greenhouses. It is used for food and for decorative landscaping, as well as for making dishes and musical instruments.

There are two subspecies:

• bottle (ware-shaped, club-shaped);
• log-shaped (snake-shaped).

The original bottle variety is Goose in Apples (Spotted Swan).

Smile

The peel of the fruit of this variety is bright orange. The flesh of the Smile pumpkin has a lighter shade. The average fruit weight of this variety is only about 0.85-1.1 kg.

Like Acorn, Smile pumpkin belongs to the group of compact bush hybrids. Excellent transportability and early ripening, as well as resistance to frost and drought - this is what, among other things, this pumpkin variety has earned excellent reviews from summer residents.

Reviews from summer residents

Svetlana, Ivanovo: “I wanted to diversify my garden bed and try something new. In the store I liked the “Smile” variety and saw a ruddy pumpkin in the photo. I was one hundred percent satisfied with the result! Without particularly bothering, I got a great harvest - 6-7 pumpkins per bush. I cared for the pumpkin, like other plants - regularly watered and weeded. I also liked the taste and the fact that these vegetables are stored for a long time under my conditions: in an apartment on a cabinet. I plan to plant again by spring.”

Semyon, Rostov: “I planted the Titan variety last summer.” It began to grow, the lashes were so long that they had to be twisted around the root. The first ovaries appeared in the second half of summer, about 6 pieces, but I left only one. The fruits are very beautiful, bright orange. I planted this variety for testing. The fruits taste very pleasant, without the characteristic pumpkin smell, which is sometimes off-putting. You can even eat this pumpkin raw: the flesh is not hard and sweetish. My wife made juice from it, and cut the remains into candied fruits. I’ll plant more next season.”

Valentina, Perm: “I took seeds of the “Malyshka” variety. The bag contained 6 seeds and detailed instructions on the back. I liked the fact that without much hassle I got an excellent harvest. Neat bushes, without long shoots, which is of great importance to me - my plot is small. The only thing I did was cover the seeds with ground pepper before planting them in the ground, since ants really love them. The pumpkins have grown large – each one is at least 2 kg.”

Spaghetti

This hard-barked, early-ripening pumpkin can be grown both in open ground and under film. Spaghetti fruits are barrel-shaped and creamy in color. The pulp of this variety is fibrous and quite dense. After harvesting, Spaghetti fruits can retain their commercial quality for about 1-2 months.

The pulp of this pumpkin is used to prepare mainly caviar and sauces. It is also considered very well suited for canning. This variety is named so because when boiled, the pulp of its fruit tastes very similar to spaghetti.

Parisian golden pumpkin

This variety belongs to the group of large-fruited varieties, it is drought-resistant and provides gardeners with a high yield. Description of the variety: pumpkin fruits can last a long time and are transportable. Seeds of this variety are planted directly in open ground or sown as seedlings. It takes 105-115 days to harvest, so the Parisian golden pumpkin is a mid-season variety, just like the Kroshka variety. It is characterized by high productivity, where the indicator per square meter of land is 4-10 kg. The average fruit weight is 4-9 kg, but with good soil - 16 kg.

The pumpkin fruits themselves are golden in color and have thick skin that is easy to cut off. The pulp is dense, juicy, tasty and orange in color. Since this is the sweetest pumpkin, it is used to make baby food, baked goods, fruit soups, and in the diet menu. In addition, some people freeze pieces of this pumpkin to eat all year round, providing their body with useful vitamins and minerals.

Parisian golden pumpkin seeds are planted at the end of May, when the ground is well warmed up; in colder areas, planting is carried out at the beginning of June. The most effective way to plant seeds of this variety is to soak the seeds and then plant them in the ground with the sprouts.

Regardless of the variety, shape, color or size, pumpkin is considered the healthiest vegetable. It is readily used for food and agriculture. Thanks to the detailed description, you can learn more about this vegetable, methods of its preparation, varieties, and determine the time and place for planting the seeds. Read the article about pumpkin varieties for Russian gardens.

Bylinka

A characteristic feature of this pumpkin is its ash-colored skin. The pulp of the Bylinka variety is bright orange, very sweet and juicy. Many summer residents use it, including for preparing all kinds of desserts.

Gardeners also value Bylinka because its pulp has virtually no pumpkin flavor. The shape of the fruits of this pumpkin variety is slightly flattened.

Large-fruited varieties

Miracle

The fruits of this mid-season variety are pepper-shaped and light brown in color. The skin of the Divo pumpkin is very thin, and the flesh is crispy, juicy and sweet. The weight of the fruits of this variety reaches 8-9 kg.

The advantages of Divo pumpkin include, first of all, excellent transportability and keeping quality. The fruits of this variety can be stored for up to one year after harvest. This pumpkin is also undemanding when it comes to watering. On dry land, its yield can be up to 50 kg/t.

Bush pumpkin - what is its peculiarity and varieties

This variety of crop is ideal for small garden plots. Its peculiarity is that it does not form long lashes, but grows as a compact bush. The fruits of this pumpkin are formed directly at the base of the plant.

The most popular varieties:

• Amazon;
• Sweet early;
• Smile;
• Crocus;
• Gribovskaya;
• Lel;
• Roll.

Amazon

A mid-season type of pumpkin, the harvest of which is stored for 4 months. Its flattened fruits are orange in color, weighing up to 2 kg. The pulp is crispy, dense, aromatic, sweet orange in color. The variety is heat-loving.

Sweet early

Pumpkin has an accelerated growth rate. Its fruits weigh up to 3 kg and ripen in 3 months. The skin is firm but thin, and the flesh is crisp, soft, and orange-red.

Smile

Pumpkin Smile is characterized by bright orange large fruits that are distinguished by their sweetness and pleasant aroma. The variety is cold-resistant, early ripening.

Crocus

Bush pumpkin. Valued for its resistance to temperature changes and good transportability. Its fruits are medium in size, weighing up to 5 kg. The pulp is juicy, sweet, aromatic, suitable for any type of processing.

Gribovskaya

Pumpkin Gribovskaya is characterized by elongated fruits, the weight of which reaches 5 kg. The peel is dense, thin, orange with stripes of a gray-green hue. The pulp is juicy, sweet, ideal for making desserts.

Lel

The variety belongs to the category of early ripening species. The fruits are flattened and ribbed with a light ash striped skin. Pumpkin is not used in cooking, but is used for the green conveyor belt.

Roll

A large-fruited table variety, the gray spherical pumpkins of which reach 10 kg. The taste is average, but pumpkin juice contains many useful components. The variety is not subject to long-term storage and transportation.

Spanish guitar

This pumpkin got its name from the unusual pear-shaped shape of the fruit. The advantages of the Spanish Guitar variety include, first of all, the very pleasant apricot taste of the pulp. Many gardeners use this pumpkin for both stewing and frying. The pulp of the Spanish guitar fruit is very good, according to housewives, and is suitable for making candied fruits, as well as fillings for pies.

The advantage of this pumpkin variety, in comparison with many others, is the significant thickness of the pulp. At the same time, the fruits of the Spanish guitar can be stored for up to 12 months without losing their presentation.

The best pumpkin varieties for growing in Siberia

How to distinguish zucchini seedlings from pumpkin

Siberia and the Urals are regions with harsh winters and hot summers. However, you should not think that it will not be possible to grow crops in this region. Species suitable for cultivation in open ground in Siberian conditions are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and good yield.

Countrywoman

Countrywoman

This is a large-fruited variety that is resistant to temperature changes.

• tolerates summer heat and sudden night frosts well;
• mid-season;
• pear-shaped, orange fruits weighing 2-3 kg.

Atlas

Adapts well to any weather conditions.

• early ripening;
• advantages - well stored, fruits are rich in vitamins;
• disadvantages - does not tolerate excess fertilizer, loves space and does not grow well in crowded plantings.

This species is considered one of the most unpretentious.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido

This variety is also called Japanese pumpkin. Grows well in cold climates.

• easily tolerates frost and temperature changes;
• early ripening;
• bright red pumpkins weighing 2-3 kg;
• advantages - the fruits are well stored, the plant easily adapts to any conditions;
• disadvantages - during drought, the fruits become deformed and the vines grow strongly.

Important! In order for the plant to develop well, regular pruning is necessary.

Parisian Gold

The variety grows well in northern regions if planted in the first ten days of June. Sometimes it is also called Parisian pumpkin.

• tolerates hot summers and temperature changes well;
• early ripening variety;
• round bright yellow fruits weighing 4-6 kg.

Matilda

Matilda

Pumpkin tolerates sudden temperature changes well and feels comfortable in hot summers. The official name of this variety is nutmeg pumpkin Matilda. This hybrid variety is also known to many summer residents under the name Matilda f1. If you plant this species, cultivation will be successful even in the most northern regions (in a greenhouse).

Description:

• early ripening;
• grows well if the spring is cold and cloudy;
• pear-shaped yellow fruits weighing 2-3 kg;
• advantages - high taste;
• disadvantages - poor germination of seeds, sometimes seedlings do not take root well.

Note! Suitable for preparing main dishes, desserts and baked goods.

Winter sweet

This pumpkin belongs to the large-fruited group. The skin of winter sweet squash has a gray tint. The pulp of the variety is sugary, orange, very dense in structure and aromatic.

It is believed that this sweet pumpkin is excellent for preparing various fresh dishes and all kinds of preserves. Summer residents also include the possibility of long-term storage as an advantage of this variety.

According to gardeners, it is very easy to grow winter sweet pumpkin on the plot. She is absolutely unpretentious in care. In addition, Winter Sweet is resistant to most pumpkin diseases.

Orange pumpkin varieties

This is the most common type of pumpkin. Its characteristic feature is the orange color of the peel, which can be of varying intensity. It is great for preparing various dishes and obtaining seeds.

The most popular orange pumpkins:

• Honey;
• Hundred Pound;
• Russian;
• Merchant's wife;
• Golden Pear;
• Hylea;
• Yellow quintal.

Honey

The variety series includes several species, the distinctive feature of which is a pleasant sweetish taste. Their fruits are round, weighing from 3 to 5 kg, with an orange peel, and yellow juicy pulp, the thickness of which is 3-4 cm. Their fresh shelf life is 3.5-4 months.

hundred pound

The variety fully lives up to its name, as its productivity is time-tested. The fruits are spherical or short-oval, weighing up to 20 kg. The peel is thin, flexible, the flesh is light cream up to 4 cm, the seed nest is large.

Russian

Russian pumpkin is small in size, early ripening, pear-shaped, weighing up to 3.5 kg. The variety is high-yielding, cold-resistant, and the delicate pulp of the fruit has a melon flavor.

Zhemchuzhina pumpkin is a mid-season table crop. Its fruits are flattened and round, when ripe they acquire a light orange hue, weighing more than 15 kg. The harvest retains its consumer properties for more than 5 months.

golden pear

Early ripening variety. It is characterized by small fruits weighing up to 2 kg, teardrop-shaped, bright orange in color. Pumpkin pulp is dense, juicy, with a pleasant nutty aroma.

Hylea

A mid-season nutmeg variety with cylindrical-oval fruits of orange color with a pink tint, the weight of which varies from 6 to 9 kg. The pulp is thickened, dense, crispy, red-orange in color. The variety is suitable for dietary nutrition.

Yellow quintal

The difference between the variety is the huge flat-round fruits of golden-orange color, the weight of which reaches 50 kg. The pulp is thick, sweet orange, and is characterized by a high sugar content.

Pumpkin Candy

This variety is also popular among summer residents primarily for the sweet taste of the fruit pulp. The Candy pumpkin is shaped like a ball. Its peel has a bright orange tint. The weight of the Candy fruit can reach 1-3 kg.

The flesh of this pumpkin is dense and bright orange. You can make puree from it even without using sugar.

Summer residents who decide to grow this variety on their property should be more careful when purchasing seeds. There is another similar pumpkin variety on sale today with a similar name - Candy F1. The skin of this hybrid has a gray tint. The taste of the pulp of this pumpkin is quite pleasant. However, hers is still not as sweet as Sweetie’s.

Green pumpkin - varieties and their descriptions

Among the variety of species, there are also pumpkins of an unusual green color, which is not typical for this crop. However, in terms of taste, they are in no way inferior to the orange and yellow varieties. The green tint predominates on the skin of pumpkins, and it is present during the formation of the fruits, as well as after they ripen. Despite this, the flesh has a different shade: cream, orange, yellow or reddish.

The most popular green pumpkins:

• Freckle;
• Gymnosperm;
• Zorka;
• Farmer;
• Barn;
• Princess Frog;
• Baby.

Freckle

Freckles have rounded small fruits, weighing up to 3 kg, with a round, slightly flattened shape. The peel is light green with creamy patches, and the flesh inside the pumpkin is juicy, tender, and light yellow. A characteristic feature of Freckles is the pear flavor that appears when ripe.

Gymnosperm

The gymnospermous pumpkin has a round shape and yellow-green striped color, weighing 3-7 kg. Inside the pulp is orange in color and has a traditional taste. Most often, the variety is grown to produce high-quality seeds.

Zorka

The Zorka variety of green pumpkins belongs to the category of mid-early varieties. The fruits are flattened and round, with a segmented surface of a green-gray hue, on which pink spots are clearly visible. Zorka's pulp has excellent taste, dense, orange, and low in juiciness.

Farmer

Pumpkin is characterized by cylindrical fruits that, when ripe, acquire a dark green uniform hue. Inside they have crispy, juicy flesh of a rich yellow color. The variety is well stored, transported and is considered cold-resistant.

Barn

A characteristic feature of Ambar pumpkin is its small fruits, weighing up to 4 kg, which are rounded and flattened in shape with dark spots on the skin. The pulp of the variety is bright orange, medium juicy, soft. The harvest does not lose its consumer properties for up to 10 months.

Princess Frog

Pumpkin Tsarevna-Frog belongs to the category of mid-late varieties, the duration of its growing season is 125-130 days. The fruits are segmented, turban-shaped with wrinkled, tuberous skin, color varies from dark to gray-green.

Baby

The Malyshka variety is early ripening, as it begins to form fruits already 1.5 months after emergence. Pumpkins are flattened, dark green, weighing up to 3 kg. The pulp inside them is juicy, crispy, medium-density, sugary.

Hardbark pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo is one of the most common pumpkins; the seeds of the best varieties are used as food as often as the pulp. Russia is one of the three world leaders in commercial cultivation of this species. Hardbark pumpkin can be found under the name Ordinary.

The plant is annual, herbaceous. The stems are short or up to 8 m long, pentagonal, grooved, with prickly fluff. Each node contains a tendril curled in a spiral. The leaves are rough, five-lobed, with pointed tips, dark green. The flowers are orange.

All varieties are characterized by a hard, shell-like, woody skin when ripe. Pumpkin is large and smooth, spherical or oval, but the shape, like the size of the fruit, greatly depends on the variety. The pulp is rough and fibrous. The seeds are yellowish or white, and there are gymnosperm varieties.

The hardbark pumpkin with large fruits is one of the symbols of Halloween. From a consumer point of view, there are decorative, table and fodder varieties. Botany distinguishes three subspecies.

Climbing

This includes all pumpkins with long shoots. Varieties:

• Citrullina - fruits are round, flattened, short-oval, large and medium in size, includes the vast majority of cultivated varieties belonging to the subspecies (Mozoleevskaya, Turskaya);
• Vegetable - pumpkins with a diameter of 15 to 20 cm and a weight of 0.5-2.5 kg, eaten until the fruit hardens (varieties - Small and English Sugar);
• Climbing zucchini - with long fruits; the popular varieties Mesiotamsky and Kuldzhinsky are rarely grown in Russia.

Bush

Bush varieties of pumpkins are characterized by a short stem with closely spaced internodes, almost completely hidden under the leaves. All varieties are eaten unripe, preferably greens. Those that are overripe, but with the peel not having time to completely harden, become tasteless and are often used as livestock feed.

Varieties:

• zucchini is a well-known vegetable with oblong fruits;
• squash - flattened shape, 2-3-day-old ovaries are eaten;
• kukurnek (crookneck) - club-shaped fruits with a warty surface.

Small-fruited

Decorative and wild small pumpkins. The names of the varieties depend on the shape and size of the fruit:

• Tangerine;
• Pear-shaped;
• Texas;
• Warty.

Varieties for Siberia and the Urals

The climate of Siberia and the Urals is quite aggressive for growing many garden crops. It is impossible to grow heat-loving varieties that require long daylight hours here.

The following are better suited for cultivation in such conditions:

• Medical;
• Pearl;
• Smile.

Medical

An early-ripening variety, it has a light green skin with a grayish coating. The fruits are large. Many gardeners like this type because of its balanced combination of taste, weight, and ease of care.

Universal in use - suitable for porridges, side dishes, desserts.

Pearl

Muscat Pearl is quite thermophilic. However, it can grow in unstable climates even in open areas. Pumpkins are pear-shaped with rich green skin that turns yellow when ripe.

The taste is sweet. The pulp remains crispy, holds its shape, and smells delicious.

Smile

Pumpkin Smile is the owner of fairly small fruits. Pumpkins weigh no more than 1 kg. This variety is a melon-flavored variety. The pulp has a lot of juice. Delicate and sweet taste, not expressed fibrousness.