Pumpkin Butternat has been known on the market for more than 50 years, but still does not lose its popularity. It is appreciated for its neat, small fruit, excellent taste and pronounced aroma. You can learn about growing methods, dealing with emerging difficulties and caring for the variety while reading this article.
Pumpkin Butternut
Butternut pumpkin has a nutty flavor
Butternut pumpkin has a thin skin
Origin
Refers to artificially bred varieties. Butternut was obtained by American scientists in the 60s of the last century by crossing African and Butternut pumpkins. Today, culture is widespread in Europe. Despite its thermophilicity, the variety is successfully grown not only in the southern, but also in the northern regions.
Description and characteristics
The main features are:
- The form. Pear-shaped - oblong at the top and widened at the bottom.
- Colour. Depending on the degree of ripeness, it has a delicate or rich orange-yellow color. Inside a paler shade.
- Bush. The lashes can be up to 2.5 m in length. The leaves are large, green.
- Taste. The pulp is juicy, with a pronounced aroma and light nutty flavor.
The characteristics are presented in the table:
Weight, kg | Ripening time, days | Storage, months | Productivity, kg per 1 sq. m. | Planting time for seedlings, month | Transplanting time into the ground, month | Time of sowing seeds in the ground, month |
1,5-2,5 | 80-90 | until 6 | 15 | 5 | 5-6 | 6 |
Features of agricultural technology
You can get a good pumpkin crop only if you follow some recommendations.
Conditions and preparation of the garden
What do we have to do:
- Choose a place. It should be on the south side so that the soil warms up well. Loamy soil is ideal. It is advisable to plant the pumpkin from the back of the house to protect the crop from strong winds.
- Training. In the fall, the earth is dug up and fertilized with manure. A month before disembarkation, half a bucket of humus mixed with 2 glasses of ash is brought in and covered with a film. Dig up again before planting.
- Precursor cultures. A site where potatoes, onions or cabbage used to grow is suitable.
You should not plant a pumpkin in the ground in which melons used to grow. In it could remain diseases and pests that harm plants.
Seed preparation
What actions to take:
- Drying. Keep the seeds near a radiator or stove for a month to warm them up.
- Sorting. Remove small and empty seeds. To do this, fill a glass with water, pour in the seeds and remove the floating ones.
- Protection. Dip the seeds in a low concentration potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes.
- Hardening. Wrap in a damp cloth and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Growing seedlings
How does this happen:
- The choice of capacity. Better use peat pots or separate plastic cups.
- Soil mixture. Fill containers with store-bought seedling mixture.
- Landing. Make a hole 4-6 cm deep and put 2 seeds in it.
- Completion. Sprinkle soil over the seeds. Moisten the soil with a spray. Cover with plastic wrap. Remove it when shoots appear.
- Picking. After emergence, pinch the weaker shoot.
Seedling Care
What is needed:
- The right place. Transfer the containers to a well-lit windowsill.
- Temperature. Before sprouts appear, maintain between 23-25 degrees, then lower to 18-22.
- Moisturizing. Water at room temperature as the soil dries out.
Transplant to the ground
What are the rules:
- Time. This should be done when the soil warms up well and the plants reach 15 cm in height.
- Cooking. Moisten the soil well.
- Disembarkation. Dig a hole about 5 cm deep. Take a glass, destroy the bottom and walls, being careful not to damage the roots. The peat pot is buried in the ground along with the seedling.
Transplant the plant carefully. Sprinkle with earth.
- Scheme. The distance should be at least 60 x 70 cm.
In the north, a greenhouse is planted.
Open sowing
In this case, it is better to make the holes in advance, when preparing the soil.
Order:
- make holes in the ground according to the scheme, as when planting seedlings with a depth of about 5 cm;
- plant 2 seeds each;
- sprinkle with soil, pour;
- in cold or windy weather - cover with a film;
- after germination, remove the weaker plant sprouts.
This method is suitable exclusively for the southern regions.
Care
Butternut needs good care.
Watering
Recommendations:
- Frequency. In hot regions it is produced up to 4 times a week, if the climate is cooler, 1-2 times may be enough.
- Water. It should be room temperature, it is better to take the settled.
- The way. Water the pumpkin under the root.
- Amount. About 5 liters per pumpkin.
Do not allow both drying out of the soil and waterlogging.
Weeding and loosening
Produced as weeds appear. When the lashes form, this must be done more carefully so as not to damage the plant. Weeding is usually done before watering and loosening after.
Top dressing
You need to make at least 3 dressings for the pumpkin:
- 1st. When transplanting into the ground. Humus mixed with earth.
- 2nd. As soon as the ovaries form. Mullein, diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 3.
- 3rd. The appearance of fruits. Any organic matter.
Bush formation
It is recommended to pinch the central shoot and grow 2-3 lateral lashes. To make the fruits larger, leave no more than 2 ovaries per lash.
Possible difficulties
Among the problems that may arise are:
- Overgrowth. The bush requires a large area. It is best to put trellis on the site.
- Temperature. In the greenhouse and in the garden, it should be maintained within 15-25 degrees. Pumpkin does not grow well without heat.
Pests and diseases
Especially dangerous for Butternut:
- Powdery mildew. Leads to dry leaves. For prevention, spray with a solution of copper sulfate (1%).
- White rot. Plants become covered with white spots, which turn black over time. Affected areas need to be cut off and sprinkled with ash.
- Root rot. Refers to fungal diseases. It occurs when the irrigation conditions are not sufficiently observed. The plant begins to rot, starting at the root and then dies.
- Spider mite. Sucks the juices from the leaves, and then envelops them in a veil of cobwebs. As a result of this, the crops die. Spraying with garlic infusion will help.
- Melon aphid. Due to the parasite, the leaves rot and twist. It starts up in the presence of weeds on the site, so it is recommended to pay special attention to their timely removal. It is also better to treat pumpkins with a mild soapy solution.
Harvesting
The technology is as follows:
- Time. In September, before the onset of frost. It is better to choose a warm, sunny day.
- Method. Cut with a sharp knife, retaining 5 cm of the stalk.
- Storage. Store pumpkin in a dry, cool place.
Pros and cons
Among the advantages:
- Benefit. The pulp contains many vitamins and important elements, therefore Butternut is used in dietary and baby food.
- Taste qualities. You can eat in any form, even in raw.
- Convenience. Vegetables have a thin skin that is easily peeled off.
- Seeds Concentrated in the lower part of the vegetable, the top is the pulp.
- Pollination. With the correct formation of bushes, pumpkins do not need artificial pollination.
The negative point is sensitivity. Non-compliance with planting conditions and temperature changes can adversely affect pumpkin growth.
Reviews
To learn more about the Butternut pumpkin, you will find feedback from people who have already grown this type of crop:
Elena, 51 years old. I have been growing this variety for more than 5 years. We have a favorable climate and good soil in the region, so I have no difficulties. The pumpkins are small, neat and very tasty. The main thing is to take care of pest protection in advance.
Maria, 62 years old. Last year I planted Butternut for the first time. I had to tinker a bit, but I liked the result very much. Pumpkins make delicious soups, cereals and casseroles. And the granddaughter did eat raw.
Gennady, 59 years old. I've been planting Butternut for several years in a row. The wife loves this variety very much, says that it is easy and quick to prepare. And I like the shelf life, pumpkins can lie in the cellar almost until summer.
Hide
Add your review
To get a good harvest of Butternut pumpkin, you need to choose the right site, prepare the seedlings in a timely manner and do not forget about quality care. Only if all the recommendations are followed can tasty and healthy vegetables be grown.
Posted by
0
Russia. City: Dimitrovgrad
Publications: 31 Comments: 0