Pumpkin Matilda f1 was bred by Dutch breeders (agricultural company Enza Zaden). Gardeners from more than 90 countries plant it on their plots. It is characterized by unpretentiousness to weather conditions and care, as well as high yield.
Characteristic
Matilda f1 is an early ripening hybrid. The ripening period for the first fruits begins approximately 100–105 days after planting the seeds in the ground. This plant has a powerful bush. The vine stems reach a length of about 4–4.5 meters. One bush can grow 8–9 fruits weighing 2–3 kg.To ensure a higher weight of the pumpkin, it is recommended to pick off the flowers, leaving no more than 3-4 ovaries on one plant.
The description emphasizes that this is a fairly productive hybrid, with 1 m2 You can collect up to 15 kg of fruit. Pumpkin variety Matilda f1 can have the shape of a pear, an elongated club, or be in the form of a fruit with a constriction. The upper peel is quite dense. It can have a pink to mustard tint. The ribbing is more pronounced near the stalk.
The pulp of this hybrid is oily with a bright orange color. When cut, the ripe fruit emits a pleasant nutty aroma. This pumpkin has high taste. Unripe fruit pulp is pale without a characteristic taste.
The seed chamber is located in the wide part of the pumpkin. The number of seeds is minimal; some fruits lack them.
Purposes of fruits
Matilda pumpkin is used for making porridges, soups or for baking. Its pulp makes delicious desserts. It is suitable for filling. It is also added to dough intended for baking.
The positive aspects of pumpkin and its disadvantages
Judging by the reviews of gardeners, this vegetable meets the stated characteristics. But in order to get a richer harvest, a number of agrotechnical measures should be taken.
The most characteristic advantages of Matilda f1:
- high yield even at low air temperatures;
- excellent taste;
- ability to withstand temperature changes;
- early maturation;
- minimum number of seeds in fruits;
- resistance to diseases.
The taste of most pumpkin varieties is affected by weather conditions and ambient temperature, but Matilda will please you under any conditions.
This hybrid has only one drawback - the inability to independently obtain Matilda pumpkin seeds for subsequent sowing in your garden.
Rules of agricultural technology
If you follow the agricultural techniques provided for this type of vegetable, high yields are harvested. Main principles growing pumpkin:
- the beds should be located in a sunny area;
- in areas with cool climatic conditions, pumpkins are grown using seedlings;
- timely weeding, fertilizing and watering are necessary.
It should also be borne in mind that pumpkin will not show high yield on infertile soils. It grows well on compost heaps or in specially constructed “warm” beds.
The soil for pumpkin is prepared in the autumn. It is dug up and the following fertilizers are applied per 1 m2: rotted manure (5–6 kg), superphosphate (about 50 g).
How to properly prepare seeds before planting?
Matilda f1 pumpkin seeds do not require pre-planting preparation, because the seeds of any hybrids are sold after preparation for sowing.
To grow seedlings, shallow containers of different sizes are used. Seeds are sown in late April. But for different regions this time depends on climatic conditions.
The main conditions for planting seedlings in the ground are that they reach the age of 3–4 weeks, as well as warming the soil to a temperature of +14–15 degrees. It is advisable that by the time the seedlings are planted in the ground there is no chance of frost returning. Matilda is planted in the southern regions by seeds directly into open beds.
Required care
Before planting in the ground, pumpkin seedlings are hardened off for 1 week.For this purpose, containers with plants are taken out onto the terrace or loggia. Hardening is carried out gradually, starting to take the seedlings out into the open air for 2–3 hours, gradually increasing this time.
Seedlings are planted in the ground 1 meter apart from each other, the same distance is left between the rows. With denser plantings, the plants may lack nutrients. Thickened planting interferes with the free growth of vines, which affects the yield of the hybrid. In addition, pests may appear on dense plantings, or the plant may become sick.
Irrigation regime
Planted pumpkin seedlings are immediately watered. The next watering is carried out only after 10 days. This stimulates the growth and development of the root system. Subsequently, watering is carried out once a week.
Water consumption per 1 m2 - 5–6 liters. After the pumpkin blooms and the fruits fill, watering is carried out approximately 4–5 days, 10 liters of liquid per 1 m2. Water should be poured at the root so that splashes do not fall on the leaves and flowers.
Some people make a furrow around the plant to pour water into it. This allows not only to use it economically, but also promotes maximum access of moisture to the root system.
Feeding
They spend 2–3 per season fertilizing planted pumpkins. At the same time, mineral fertilizers, ash and mullein are introduced. On soils with insufficient fertility, the amount of fertilizing can be increased. Before the flowers appear, the pumpkin is fed with nitrogen fertilizers, and after the ovary appears, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied.
Excessive amounts of fertilizer will also negatively affect the development of the vegetable. In this case, there may be excessive growth of green mass, and a small amount of formation of flowers and ovaries.
Harvesting
Ripe fruits are harvested in mid-August.To determine the maturity of the fruit, first of all, you need to pay attention to the color of the peel; it should have a color typical for this hybrid. The stalk dries out completely and hardens, and the stems turn yellow and dry out.
The collected fruits can be stored for about 4 months. Many people note that after 2-3 months, the pumpkin acquires a richer taste and aroma.
