The gymnosperm pumpkin appeared as a result of the work of American breeders. The plant requires heat and moisture. The garden crop is distinguished by a powerful root system and a hollow stem that can reach a length of 12 meters and form branched vines. The green mass of one bush can reach a volume of 5 m³. During the growing season of 3 summer months, the plant is capable of growing and occupying an area of 30 to 32 m².
Description of the variety Golosemyanki:
- ripening time from 105 to 111 days;
- the length of the shoots reaches 5 meters;
- flattened fruits;
- the average weight of vegetables is from 3 to 4 kg;
- the average yield per bush is from 9 to 12 kg.
During the growing season, Holosemyanka pumpkin is capable of producing about 400 male and 80 female flowers. At the age of 20-30 days, the plant is able to form the first flowers. The fruits are large in size, but are not comparable to those of a regular pumpkin. The nutritional qualities of most pumpkin varieties differ little from traditional types, since their initial selection of gymnosperm pumpkin was aimed at obtaining the maximum amount of oil from the seeds.
What fruits does the plant produce?
The hard-barked gosemyanka pumpkin has a rounded shape and a yellow skin with green, dim stripes. The peel, despite its small thickness, is durable. The average weight of pumpkin fruits is from 5 to 8 kg. Some specimens grow up to 16 kg.
The taste of gymnosperm pumpkin largely depends on the variety. If you want to get sweet fruits, it is recommended to look for the following types:
- Apricot pumpkin.
- Belarusian pumpkin.
These gymnosperm pumpkin varieties contain from 5 to 8% sugar. From these types of varieties you can prepare purees, juices, fillings for flour products, and an additive to porridges. The value of most varieties lies not in the nutritional value of the pulp, but in the large number of seeds. They are used fresh and fried. Ground pumpkin seeds can be used to add rich taste and flavor to baked goods and confectionery products. Ground flour is used as a seasoning for salads and sauces.
Pumpkin fruits contain a large amount of antioxidants, so they are used in the manufacture of anti-aging products. Due to the 55% oil content in the vegetable pulp, gymnosperm pumpkin is used as a raw material.The value for humans lies in the balanced content of fatty acids and a rich composition of nutrients. Vegetables are used in the medical industry in the manufacture of medicines.
Features of working with planting material
Pumpkin planting material requires pre-treatment. To do this, the seeds are heated at a temperature of 40 °C for 8 hours, after which they are soaked in a growth stimulator solution for 12 hours. The following drugs are suitable for these purposes:
- Mycephyte.
- Pennant.
- Vermiculite.
Sowing begins when there is no risk of frost returning. It is worth considering that due to the lack of a protective shell on the pumpkin seed, even a slight temperature difference has a negative impact on the plant and the seedlings may die. When grown through seedlings, planting time is calculated so that from the moment of emergence of seedlings to transplantation into open ground, 3 to 4 weeks pass.
The second control sign is when the shoots reach a height of 15 to 22 cm or the presence of two true leaves.
The gymnospermous variety is a heat-loving plant; therefore, cultivation requires a heated place protected from gusts of wind, giving preference to southern slopes. The following soil requirements are imposed:
- oxygen-rich, easily aerated;
- containing a large amount of organic matter;
- not having low acidity levels, pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5;
- enriched with nutrients.
The best predecessors for pumpkin are potatoes, cabbage crops, onions, beets, and spicy herbs. It is recommended to replant the variety in the same area after 4 years. Failure to comply with this recommendation is fraught with an increased risk of diseases and pests of pumpkins.The optimal time for planting is considered to be when the soil reaches a temperature of 15 °C.
Characteristics of the landing scheme:
- hole diameter 30-40 cm;
- the depth of seed immersion should be no more than 6 cm;
- Recommended planting of bush species is 70x70 cm, medium-climbing species - 70x140 cm.
Each hole is spilled with 2 liters of water before planting. The place is abundantly fertilized with humus, a small amount of superphosphate, potassium, and ash. 3 to 4 pumpkin seeds are placed in the hole and the strongest shoots are left after the entrances. The first shoots appear on 5-8 days. The shoots do not tolerate lack of moisture, so the plant must be provided with regular watering. The appearance of the first male flowers is observed on days 25-30, after which female inflorescences form within a week. From this moment you can expect the appearance of the first fruits.
Recommendations for cultivation
When growing gymnospermous pumpkin, in order to obtain good yield indicators, the plant must be provided with regular feeding. The first application of nutrients to the soil is carried out 7 days after planting. To do this, you can prepare the following means:
- diluted chicken droppings in a ratio of 1:20;
- cow dung in a ratio of 1:10;
- infusion based on weeds in a ratio of 1:5.
At the same time, special preparations are additionally added, which are used to feed weekly. The most popular include:
- Azofoska.
- Potassium sulfate.
- Uniflor-micro.
Additionally, it is necessary to add a mineral complex to the soil during flowering and during fruiting. When growing, side shoots need to be pinched. When root shoots are formed at the nodes, they need to be sprinkled with soil.To prevent the fruit from coming into contact with the ground, it is necessary to place cardboard, linoleum or other material to prevent rotting of the crop.
The greatest risk for melon crops is the following type of diseases:
- powdery mildew;
- fruit rot;
- wireworms;
- aphid.
Disease prevention measures are related to soil liming, fall plowing technology, timely weeding and compliance with crop rotation rules. The plant needs abundant watering; humidity should vary within 70% to obtain a high yield.
During the period of fruit ripening, it is necessary to pinch the shoots, which will allow the plant to optimally distribute nutrients.
A sign of a finished fruit is the drying of the stalk and shoot, as well as the change in color of the pumpkin to its characteristic color. It is necessary to harvest the crop before the first frost. On average, vegetables can be stored for 2 months without losing their taste or appearance. Subsequently, the seeds begin to germinate, and the product becomes unsuitable as food or planting material. Optimal storage conditions are considered to be a room humidity of 75% and a temperature of 13 to 15 °C.
What seeds should you pay attention to?
The main varieties of gymnosperm pumpkin were created for industrial purposes and were intended for oil production. Crops for gastronomic purposes were developed later and today come in many varieties. The best varieties of Gymnosperm pumpkin are:
- Danae - fruiting time occurs after 120 days, rounded fruits reach a weight of 5 to 7 kg, gives a good harvest with sufficient heat.
- Apricot - the first harvest is harvested on the 100-105th day, a unique dessert variety has increased sweetness and has an apricot flavor; it was from this species that juice was made during Soviet times.
- Altai - has a medium whip length and early ripening, the fruits are bright yellow in color and reach a weight of 2.5 to 5 kg, has a moderately sweet taste of the pulp with a sugar content of 6%.
Of these varieties, the seeds and pulp are suitable for consumption, which is ideal for making pumpkin juice, purees and porridges. Vegetable pulp can be used to prepare baby food. The special qualities of vegetables allow patients to recover quickly during the postoperative period. The nutritional value and usefulness of pumpkin pulp is preserved even when the product is frozen.
