Description of varieties of honey pumpkin, their characteristics and yield
The beneficial properties of culture have been known to everyone for a very long time. Summer residents who grow plants on the site choose the most useful variety that does not require much effort when growing. Common types of honey are: pumpkin Honey dessert, honey crumbs, Honey Princess and others.
Species characteristics
The variety of honey varieties provide a large choice for the summer resident, but it should be noted that all species have only a characteristic honey smell.
Brief description of varieties:
- Honey dessert. Climbing, ripens in 3 months. The fruits are very large, slightly flattened round in shape. Weight ranges from 3 to 10 kg. Pumpkins are stored for 3 months guaranteed, further depends on storage conditions.
- Pumpkin Honey crumb. Ripens within 3.5-4 months. All pumpkins on bushes are the same size, round. They weigh 2.5-3.5 kg. Ash color. Stored for a long time. Bush type.
- Honey princess. Ripens in 110-120 days. Rounded-flattened shape, weighing 3-10 kg. It uncoils well.
- Honey beauty. Ready for use after 3 months after germination. The fetus weighs from 4.5-6 kg. Excellent storage.
- Honey orange. It matures within 120 days. Pumpkins weigh 1.5-2 kg, yellow-orange. It unravels and has excellent taste characteristics.
The choice of the variety always remains with the grower; it is important to choose the plants that are suitable for the family's needs.
Features of planting pumpkins on the site
Summer residents recommend taking seeds for planting collected last year, since the yield is higher and the resistance to diseases is stronger.
Gardeners who have been growing crops for a long time know that it does not require much space. Therefore, it is grown along the edge of the site at the boundary or near buildings. It is important to provide support for the braiding if there is not a lot of free space.
The shorter the summer, the less likely the pumpkin will ripen on the bushes. For this, summer residents recommend growing it in seedlings. Seeds are sown in advance 20-25 days before planting in a permanent place. It should be remembered that the variety Honey Crumb and Medovaya Orange categorically do not tolerate transplantation.
Special care for honey pumpkin seedlings is not required. As containers for growing seedlings, gardeners use peat pots. When transferred to a permanent place, they are a root fertilizer, completely decomposing in the ground and without disturbing the root system of plants.
By the time of transplanting, the soil should be thoroughly warmed up and there should be no threat of recurrent frost.
Pumpkin seeds are planted in open ground when it warms up to + 12-14 ⁰С.The depth of embedding into the soil is 5-8 cm. Humus is added to the holes. The planting scheme depends on the desire of the gardener and the place that he has, it is desirable to maintain 60-100 cm between plants.
Culture care
In general, for all varieties, the requirements are the same, regular watering, weeding, loosening and shaping. Loosening will retain moisture in the soil and provide oxygen to the root system.
Plants are abundantly watered before flowering, water is necessary for the formation of lashes. Therefore, the soil must be constantly moist. But after the pumpkin begins to bloom, watering is stopped, so pollination improves.
Humus in the spring or manure in the fall is used as top dressing. The plants are watered with the diluted mullein after the first few leaves appear, then during flowering and after 10-12 days. After that, it is enough to feed 2-3 times a month.
Removing weeds allows the crop to get more nutrients from the soil, helping to avoid the development of diseases and pest attacks.
Formation of bushes. The first thing to consider is the growing region. In the northern regions, 2 ovaries are left, the middle regions are already 3-4 pumpkins on one whip. In the southern regions, the growth of the whip is not limited at all. Empty branches, without ovaries, are removed completely. After the last ovaries, 5 leaves are left and the growth point is removed.
Harvest volume and storage
Honey pumpkins differ from each other in fruit size. In addition, the formation of plants differs, depending on the region of residence. Therefore, it will not work to clearly indicate what the yield will be. It is important to follow simple care requirements and the result will surely please the hardworking gardener.
The pumpkin is stored in a variety of ways. The easiest one is to go down to the basement or cellar. But if this is not possible, they store it in the apartment. A great place is a glazed balcony or loggia. Provides ventilation and constant air temperature + 5-15 ⁰С.
The harvested crop is covered by shading storage racks or stacked fruits. It is advisable to ensure freedom for each individual vegetable. They should not be in contact with each other. If there is too little space, the pumpkins are separated from each other with cardboard. The harvested fruits gain sweetness at room temperature and become tastier.
The vegetable is stored in the refrigerator for 25-35 days, to prevent winding of the cut site, grease with odorless vegetable oil and wrap it with cling film.
Unused vegetable leftovers can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. Pre-slicing the way they are used in cooking.
If there is not enough space to decompose large pumpkins, it can be dried. Since autumn, juices, compotes, preserves, and other types of preparations are made using these fruits.
Application and useful properties of the plant
Pumpkin is used for various purposes. Porridge is cooked, mashed potatoes are used for dietary meals. For small children, it is used as the first complementary food. It does not cause an allergic reaction in the body.
Not only the pulp of the vegetable is useful, but also its seeds. They are anthelmintic. For men over 40, eating the seeds can help alleviate the symptoms of prostatitis. Adenoma of the prostate is also treated with seed culture. They are crushed, mixed with honey and eaten on an empty stomach in the morning.
It is not difficult to grow a pumpkin, if the summer is warm, then it will not require any extra effort and time.
Last year, I grew a pumpkin that is huge and tastes sweet. For her growth, I used BioGrow, and not in vain, since all year I was able to cook healthy and tasty dishes from pumpkin. This year I will boldly use a growth activator for all plants.