Pumpkin varieties and their description

A wide variety of pumpkin varieties affects any gardener or gardener.They differ from each other not only in color and shape, but also in taste. In addition, there are varieties that can be used indoors as a decor. They can be round, flat, grown in the shape of a jug or guitar, their colors are also distinguished by a variety: green, yellow, gray, orange, striped or speckled.

The variety of species makes it difficult to choose, and therefore below are the main varieties of pumpkin with detailed characteristics that will allow to dwell on the variant of the culture, which will bring a good harvest.

A culture such as pumpkin was first grown in South and Central America. Only in the XVI century, it became popular in Europe. Today, it can be found on almost any continent, it is able to withstand different climatic conditions, and therefore it is so well known and widespread. In the climatic conditions of Russia, there are three main types of pumpkin: nutmeg, large-fruited and hard-tailed.

As for the structure of the plant, its root system is pivotal and very powerful, capable of penetrating into the soil up to two (sometimes even 4-5) meters deep, while the main roots (secondary and lateral) are located at a depth of 50 centimeters. This characteristic of the rhizome of the plant suggests that it forks in an area of ​​up to 4-5 meters in the ground space, providing the plant with the necessary minerals and vitamins from the soil.

Pumpkin escape has a different shape. It can be branching, single-stem, creeping. Its maximum length is 10 meters. Scourge stalk can also be varied depending on the variety.

The leaves of the plant are capable of reaching a width of up to 25 centimeters, which must be taken into account when choosing a place for planting pumpkins. They are also different in shape, structure and color, and most importantly - their number can be the most diverse, for 1 pumpkin can be up to 30 square meters of leaves.

Many novice gardeners believe that pumpkin plant flowers should have a bright color, however, this is false information. Often the inflorescences are formed in different conditions, which undoubtedly affects their color - it can be bright yellow, pale orange. The fetus itself is formed in the period of 30-50 days after fertilization and may be different in weight.

Pumpkin culture is divided into 2 main types: curly and spray pumpkins, the structure of which is easy to determine by growing side loops. Two different subspecies are used in gardens for different purposes. So, if there is a need to plant a dotted area, the bush pumpkin will be more suitable, while the climbing culture will allow plants to form up to 2.5 meters in length or height.

The second variant of the plant is usually used to create large living green screens on or near the house.

The culture blooms in July; it is this month that incredibly beautiful flowers of the plant can be observed. But the sweet fruits appear already in the second half of August; as they ripen, they become more and more saturated in color. Below are the most common in the garden plots varieties of pumpkin plants, which are very popular with both professionals and beginners, who only master garden or dacha business.

The melon pumpkin is a juicy, aromatic culture that has an amazing taste. It is easy to distinguish from others - its smell is similar to the aroma of a ripe melon.Such a pumpkin firmly occupies the second place in popularity among summer residents, because its characteristics are impressive: the shelf life is long, this crop is unpretentious in growing and subsequent care, and taste indicators will surprise even gourmets. Full ripening period is up to one hundred days, and the fruits have an orange, slightly tinged with pink color and flattened shape.

The mass of one fruit can reach up to 30 kilograms. In the process of caring for a melon pumpkin, you can see that it is very resistant not only to arid regions, but also to slight frosts (2 degrees of frost on the soil for such a plant are quite comfortable conditions). Many say that this variety can be eaten even raw.

Nut pumpkin - this culture is also known by such names as "Moskhata" or "Butternat". This variety was grown by crossing varieties of several pumpkins: nutmeg and African. The term of ripening culture is 3 months. The best option would be to leave no more than 5 fruits on one plant, so they can grow and feed on nutrients as much as possible. One fruit usually weighs just over 1 kilogram and looks like a large zucchini.

The variety is obliged by its name to taste characteristics: it has a nutty flavor, but in order to achieve it, it is necessary to properly care for the plant. It is possible to tear the fruits to their final ripening, they can “reach” at home, especially if a cold snap is expected (this variety does not like frosts).

Gymnospermous pumpkin - despite the unattractive appearance (yellow-green fruit), this variety deserves attention. The mass of the grown fruit is up to 7 kilograms, and the peel is different in that it is quite thin. In order not to harden the peel, this pumpkin should be planted separately from other varieties in order to avoid pollination from them, due to which the skin can become more dense.

The first fruits can be collected in 4 months, and they are stored for two months. Not only in cooking, you can use the pulp of this pumpkin variety, it is widely used in medicine and cosmetology.

Russian Woman is a culture resistant to cold temperatures. Ripens in 3 months, has a beautiful color - orange or yellow-orange. Fruits grow weighing up to 4 kilograms (up to 5 fruits on one plant). Due to the bright flesh, this variety is often used to make various candied fruits or jam. The only and very big disadvantage of this variety is its short keeping quality, the shelf life is very small, but the harvest is quite voluminous.

"Candy" - one of the most beloved varieties of all summer residents due to its characteristics, the resulting fruits and storage. After 3 months from the plant you can collect 6, and sometimes 8 large fruits. The weight of one fruit is 2-2.5 kilograms, but the largest pumpkin of this variety, which was grown, had a weight of about 100 kilograms!

You can keep such a fruit until January, and the longer the shelf life of a pumpkin, the richer its taste. It is necessary to transport such a variety very carefully, since the skin of the fruit can be damaged quite easily. Use "Candy" both raw and processed. The biggest fans of this variety are children for whom you can make excellent mashed potatoes out of pumpkin.

“Bottle” - America and Africa are the birthplace of this variety, and it gained its popularity in Central Europe. The length of the stem of the plant is very long - up to 15 meters, the leaves are corrugated, and the flowers during the daytime hide in the leaf axils. The fruit of the plant may have a different shape: pear-shaped, oval, round.Also, this variety is often called "Lagenariya" or pumpkin "Dishware". Fruits on one plant forms up to 10-15, each can weigh up to one and a half kilograms.

“One hundred pound” - this large-fruited culture has a main stem with a size of up to 7 meters, spherical or oval fruits, the weight of each is up to 20 kilograms. Slightly sweet taste does not make it very popular, however, this variety copes well with pests, and therefore is in demand among novice gardeners and those who grow a plant for feeding purposes.

"Matilda" - another breeding variety, the fruits of which appear after 3 months and weigh up to 3 kilograms. It is possible to store such fruits up to 4 months, but it is not possible to use the seeds of the grown plant for the subsequent planting.

“Spaghetti” - this variety got its name due to its unusual feature. During cooking, the pulp of the fruit breaks down into fibers, which in appearance are very similar to long pasta. Tasty and unpretentious variety that forms up to 4 fruits on each plant.

Honey pumpkin - already from the name it becomes clear that this is one of the sweetest varieties of this culture, which can be used in its raw form. This is an early ripe variety that fully matures in 3 months, has a very pleasant unique aroma, crispy flesh and a beautiful bright juicy color.

Pumpkin marble - mid-season variety, forming fruit within 4 months. The very shape of the fruit is slightly flattened, has a weight of up to 10 kilograms, which is appreciated among gardeners. Despite the not very attractive appearance (the skin of the fruit is grayish or green), the taste of this variety is pleasant and rich.

Giant or large pumpkin has its own characteristics. Its stems are cylindrical, slightly pubescent (this immediately catches the eye). Kidney-shaped and rounded leaves are also inherent in this species of pumpkin. The appearance of the plant is very attractive. Large juicy green leaves are combined with flowers, painted in bright yellow shades.

Already from the name, it can be understood that the fruits of such a plant will be larger than those of other varieties and this is true. The fruits differ in color, but not by much. To a greater degree, pale pink or gray fruits are formed, having a rounded or flattened shape.

This type of pumpkin is special in that it is an intermediate option between the large-fruited and pumpkin dough and has its own specific morphological characteristics. The leaves of this type of culture are slightly softer than those of analogs, darker and have white spots. The flowers have an unclear orange color and petals that are slightly pointed. Among all varieties, this type of pumpkin has the maximum variety of growing fruits: from yellow to pink and even brown shades.

One of the most interesting subspecies of this variety is the pumpkin-shaped pumpkin, the fruits of which are formed in the form of turbans and can be different even on the same plant. In addition, the small varieties of the pumpkin pumpkin are different and taste - the flesh can be a little bitter, but with this it is attractive to gourmets.

One of the most unusual types of pumpkin. Its peculiarity is that the seeds inside the fruit have an unusual and unusual color for gardeners - black (they resemble watermelon seeds, although there are several times more of them). Therefore, it is often called black-seeded pumpkin. And figolistnaya it is called due to the leaves, which grow elongated and similar to the fig (although much larger).

Usually fruits weigh up to 4 kilograms and have the shape of an elongated oval. However, there are specimens grown under special conditions, climate and methods of plant care, which reach 20 kilograms! Gardeners love this type of pumpkin for its pleasant and tasty white flesh, which can be eaten not only in processed thermally, but also in cheese too.

The variety is late ripening, and the harvest begins only after the very first frost, when the leaves on the plant are completely gone. This variety is useful from the point of view of medicine.So, for diabetics, this product is ideal, because the pulp is not so sucrose, full of enough minerals and vitamins. Raw pumpkin seeds are used as anthelmintic.

In India, Asia, Indonesia, Latin America and China, wax pumpkin is grown, which also has the name Beninkaz. Despite such widespread prevalence, in the territory of the Russian Federation this variety is not very popular among gardeners. Although it has its undeniable advantages over other varieties.

So, the fruits of this plant can be stored for a sufficiently long period, if you choose the right place: it must of course be dark, cool (15 to 18 degrees Celsius). Under these conditions, the fetus can be stored from one year to one and a half years! This characteristic can not boast of any other variety.

A small experience of growing wax gourd in Russia allows us to draw the following conclusions: the maximum weight of the fruit reaches 5 kilograms, the fruit itself is covered with a wax layer. The flesh of this culture is often used for medicinal purposes. So, in China, taking the pulp inside is an excellent diuretic, as well as a way to reduce fever and temperature.

Outwardly it is also used, it is able to anesthetize body parts (bruises, bruises, minor cuts). The Chinese believe that eating raw seeds helps calm, relax, get rid of insomnia and stress, moreover, can prolong human life.

Due to the fact that pumpkin varieties are very many and they all differ in color, shape, texture, experienced gardeners often use them not only as a culinary dish, but also as a peculiar element of decor. Among those who like to use this culture in everyday life, the following types and subspecies are popular.

• Warty varieties - have an uneven surface, due to which they are very textured and unusual. In some varieties, the roughness is so strong that the fruits resemble different shapes.

• Orange - bright, juicy, spherical smooth shape, orange and yellow - attract attention and make the decor more creative and unusual.

• Watermelon - indeed, they resemble in their texture and shape a ripe summer watermelon. Striped fruits will be a bright decorative accent of any room where they are used. And on the summer cottage or garden plot, they will definitely become the pride of their owners.

• Tiger - have similarity with the tiger due to the characteristic pattern across the surface of the fruit. Typically, these beige or yellowish pumpkin varieties are often placed at the entrance to the house, decorating them with additional decoration (similar colors of zebra type are also popular).

• Pear shaped - perhaps the most popular for use as a decorative material both indoors and outside - in the garden, suburban areas, in the territory of the cottages.

Since different pumpkin varieties have different characteristics for resistance to cold temperature conditions, require different amounts of moisture, grow in different soil conditions, and the regions of their presence and distribution are quite obvious. Below is a description of a wide variety of pumpkin varieties that are ideal for growing in a particular region of Russia.

For the Urals and Siberia, the following varieties are suitable for growing.

• "Smile"- juicy and sweet pumpkin, tolerates cold snap, can be stored for a long period of time, ripens in August.

• "Freckle" - melon aroma and taste, the plant is very stable not only to the cold temperature regime, but also to its differences, so that you can safely plant this variety in areas of Siberia.

• "Healing" - an early variety of pumpkin, which is not afraid of frost or dry weather. Ideal for cooking cereals.

Growing plants in the middle belt and in the south is possible if you use all subspecies of nutmeg. The most popular pumpkin "Vitamin", whose name was invented not in vain. It really is a storehouse of beneficial elements, vitamins and minerals that are necessary for every human body.

This type of pumpkin is demanding to have a sufficient amount of heat and sunny days, and therefore this variety is ideal for open ground. In addition, it has many advantages in terms of ease of care and taste characteristics.

The best varieties for cultivation in the Moscow region:

• "Medical" - the pumpkin ripening very early, has small, but very juicy and crackling fruits;

• "Premiere" - A culture that is resistant to cold and heavy rains, which can be stored for a very long time, enjoying its taste;

• "Country" - ripens early, according to many experts, has a pronounced vanilla flavor, attractive to gardeners, not afraid of rain, drought and coolness, can be stored for a long time.

In landscape design various vegetable cultures are used for a long time. Landscape decoration is a whole art. Provence style has become very popular in the garden or suburban areas, in the territories of cottages, as well as at home. Pumpkin fruits are often a key figure in such an unusual design.

The variety of their forms allows you to create whole sculptures that attract attention, as well as use them as an addition to the existing garden decor. Of them create pots, used as a basis for lamps, vases, etc.

In a spacious room or in order to decorate the courtyard, often use vegetable crops to give the design a special atmosphere. The most popular in this case are those varieties of pumpkin, which are stored for a long period of time. This ensures a long period of presence of the decor.

The fruits of pumpkin crops are often used as birdhouses. They decorate the area next to the house, and serve as a feeder for birds that fly in search of food to the site. You can develop a creative approach and decorate the birdhouse, for example, paint it in colors that will attract birds and look harmoniously in the garden or cottage. Many decorate pumpkin birdhouses with leaves, branches, and other natural attributes to make it as comfortable as possible.

The most popular way to use a pumpkin as a decor is to create a small-sized carriage from it, which will seamlessly fit into the landscape of any territory. The main thing in this case, the pumpkin was attractive in appearance. Decorating it with small wheels, fabrics, other materials and even drawings, you can get the perfect result.

Many make compositions from several pumpkins at once. Especially popular is the pumpkin caterpillar. For its formation will require several varieties and types of pumpkins, which will be slightly, but differ in size.

Pumpkin can be used indoors. From it make boxes, creative, but short-lived vases, watches. Even pepper and salt shakers for the table can be made from small pumpkins. Often in the house you can see the candlestick, made with your own hands from a small pumpkin. He looks like a Halloween figure, only without an ominous mask.

Also, the fruits of this culture are used to create attractive, but not functional decor items. Peculiar figurines in the shape of spiders (for which it is necessary to attach several paws on a spring to the fetus), small molds hung around the house - all this allows you to get positive feedback about the interior of the room. Pumpkin vines can also be used to decorate the house; they can significantly transform the appearance of the building and give it a delicacy.

How to choose the best varieties of pumpkin, see the next video.