How to grow Pineapple pumpkin on your plot with an amazing sweet taste and pleasant aroma
Pineapple pumpkin got its name for its bright, sweet taste. Such a product will never be out of place in the kitchen: excellent snacks are prepared from the vegetable, added to porridge and frozen for the winter.
This variety is extremely rare on supermarket shelves, so summer residents prefer to grow it themselves. This is not difficult to do, especially since Pineapple Pumpkin is easy to care for and does not require much attention. Let us next consider what techniques summer residents use to obtain a rich harvest.
Description of the variety
Pineapple belongs to the nutmeg varieties, which are valued for their high taste and delicate pulp.. Butternut squashes are generally large and yellow or orange in color. The vegetable is mid-season, ripens approximately 110 days from planting.
Hybrid f1
Pineapple pumpkin has good immunity to diseases. Thanks to the efforts of agronomists, the hybrid vegetable combines all the best. Pineapple is planted mainly in the southern regions of the country.
For cultivation in the middle zone and in the north, film shelters or greenhouses must be used. The hybrid is demanding regarding the composition of the soil; it shows the best results in sandy loam, loose and fertile soil.
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Distinctive features
Bushes of medium height, long vines, sometimes growing up to 3-4 m. The plant is a classic green color, the leaves are wide and slightly rough. The roots are powerful and developed. Due to the long lashes, it requires mandatory shaping and pinching. It is recommended to plant Pineapple in seedlings.
Pumpkin characteristics and yield
One lash forms about 4-6 vegetables at once. The color is delicate, creamy orange. The weight of one pumpkin is about 2.5 kg. Maturation and return are friendly. The pulp, like most muscat varieties, is thick and dense.
The taste is sweet, nutmeg, with a subtle taste of nuts. Vegetables have excellent shelf life and are stored well. Highly valued in cooking and cosmetology. From 1 sq. m summer residents receive about 4-5 kg of tasty and beautiful pumpkins.
Interesting! The weight of the largest pumpkin in the world was 1190 kg. A farmer from Belgium managed to grow a giant in 2016. The unusual achievement is included in the Guinness Book of Records.
How to grow
Pumpkin is an easy plant to cultivate. It is planted in two ways, which we will discuss below, and also consider the basic agrotechnical rules for caring for the crop.
Planting by seeds
To begin with, we advise you to select high-quality material. Such seeds will show greater germination and will be better protected from dangerous microorganisms. To improve these qualities, disinfection is carried out. One method is to treat the seeds with formaldehyde. You will need 300 g of warm water and 3 g of formaldehyde 40%.
For convenience, place the seeds in a fabric bag and lower them into the solution for five minutes. Take out the bag, leave it on the table for 1-2 hours, then take out the seeds and dry them well on all sides. The method is accessible, takes little time and is safe.
Treated seeds are checked for germination. To do this, they are germinated.The water temperature for germination should be no more than 55 degrees. Soak the seeds in the liquid for three hours, then wrap them in slightly damp gauze. Germination will show the number of seedlings and those seeds that are ready for planting in the ground. Just throw the rest away.
For both seed planting and the seedling method, it is necessary to prepare the beds. Plant the crop after legumes or potatoes: this way the risk of contracting dangerous diseases is much lower. Dig up the soil and water it with a solution of potassium permanganate. Also, before sowing, fertilize the soil with a mixture of humus and shavings. This composition accelerates plant growth and strengthens the immune system.
For 1 sq. m place no more than one bush. Pineapple has a large root system and requires a lot of space. Avoid dense plantings, this will have a bad effect on the yield. Pineapple loves space and light, so choose a windless, fertile area for it.
Important! Do not plant pumpkin after zucchini or squash.
Seedling method
For seedlings, seeds also need to be selected, disinfected and germinated. After this, prepare the soil and container. We recommend using ready-made compounds as soil that do not require additional processing. But it is also not prohibited to independently prepare a mixture of soil from the garden, peat, humus and river sand in a ratio of 4:1:1:1. After mixing all the ingredients, soil that is nutritious and beneficial for pumpkin is obtained, which is first disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.
They grow seedlings in flower pots, wooden boxes and even in kefir cardboard boxes. The main thing is that the container is clean and dry. Store seedlings in a warm and bright place, for example, on a windowsill.Water every seven days. After two weeks, organize the first fertilizing with wood ash or liquid bird droppings.
Seedlings are transferred to the site early in the morning on a windless day. When replanting, it is important not to damage the roots and stems that have not yet become strong. After sowing, be sure to water the soil with warm water.
Care
Basic care consists of timely watering of the crop. The procedure is carried out every 5-7 days, the water temperature should be at least 20 degrees. Water the bushes early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun has already disappeared below the horizon. This is necessary in order to avoid sunburn. On average, one Pineapple bush requires about 2 liters of water.
Also, do not forget to organize feeding in a timely manner.. The vegetable loves both mineral and complex fertilizers. An excellent means for accelerating plant growth is the “Zdraven” complex or the “Magic Watering Can” drug. They are equipped with all the necessary vitamins and microelements that nourish the pumpkin and improve the quality of the harvest. Fertilize the beds every two weeks, alternating organic matter and minerals.
An important activity is loosening the soil, which is carried out every week.. A hard crust forms in the top layer, which makes it difficult for oxygen to reach the roots. Because of this, the plant begins to hurt. Loosening improves air exchange in the soil and helps retain moisture for as long as possible.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
Pineapple needs to be shaped, which often raises many questions for novice gardeners. In fact, there is nothing complicated in the formation of lashes, the main thing is to do everything in order:
- when the length of the main stem is 1.5 m, pinch it;
- after the formation of 1-2 pumpkins on one vine, tear off the stepsons to prevent the formation of new vegetables;
- leave only lateral processes at least half a meter long.
If you don’t form a pumpkin in time, a lot of small vegetables will form on it.who will not be able to receive an equal amount of nutrients and will die. During the formation of the beds, they are watered exclusively with warm water, and fertilizing is organized mainly organic.
About other varieties of pumpkin:
Features of growing gymnosperm pumpkin
Advice from experienced gardeners
Gardeners across the country use secrets and mutual advice when growing Pineapple.
Here's what experienced gardeners recommend to novice gardeners:
- do not sow old seeds, as they will not yield a good harvest;
- when germinating material, use growth stimulants;
- It is better not to water a small ovary, otherwise long lashes and leaves will grow, and the pumpkins will remain small;
- Before planting, lay straw on the beds - it will reduce the acidity of the soil;
- do not forget to remove weeds, as these plants live off useful crops;
- if the lashes are too long, place them on the bed and sprinkle soil on top;
- do not use cold spring water for irrigation;
- if the pumpkins are heavy, build additional support for them using available materials;
- If possible, use a drip irrigation system that controls water flow and wets the roots rather than the leaves and stems.
Diseases and pests
During the flowering and fruiting period, special attention is paid to preventive measures and protection against diseases.. There is an increased risk of infection with anthracnose, which appears as yellow-brown spots on the leaves. After the disease, vegetables lose their taste and become unfit for consumption.
Treatment with ash or the drug “Epin” helps protect against anthracnose. Also, do not forget to remove weeds and maintain an optimal moisture level for the crop, since often it is an excess of water that becomes the root cause of diseases.
Of all diseases, bacteriosis causes the greatest harm.. Brown ulcers appear on the plant, which a solution of copper sulfate helps get rid of. It is recommended to treat the bushes with liquid immediately after the first symptoms are detected.
Of the insects, Pineapple is most often affected by whiteflies and aphids.. Pests suck the sap from the plant, causing the bushes to wither. Fight insects by spraying with ash or yeast. Procedures are carried out every 20 days in the early morning.
Harvesting and application
The first harvest is harvested in mid-September. Vegetables must be picked with a dry stalk, otherwise they will quickly deteriorate and lose their value. Pineapple is perfectly stored: to do this, just place it in the refrigerator or on the balcony. Fruiting continues until mid-October.
Due to its beneficial composition, pumpkin is used to strengthen the immune system.. It contains vitamins B, A and C, as well as magnesium, phosphorus and a large amount of fiber. The product is good for vision, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. In addition, pumpkin has an excellent effect on the condition of the skin and hair and has an excellent rejuvenating effect.
Interesting! Muscat varieties are actively used in cooking, mainly in dietary nutrition.They make excellent first and second courses, salads and even sandwiches. Juice or puree is also prepared from pumpkin, which has a good effect on the nervous system and reduces stress.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Pineapple is loved for its unpretentiousness and good disease resistance.. The variety also has a sweet taste and interesting appearance. The vegetable is used in the kitchen and serves as the basis for many dishes. In addition, the rich vitamin composition helps prevent diseases and strengthen the immune system. The hybrid is rightfully considered one of the most successful.
The disadvantages include some difficulty in forming bushes and caring for lashes. It is not always clear when exactly the stepsons need to be removed and how many vegetables to leave. However, if you do this once, in the future the procedure will seem trivial and simple.
Farmer reviews
Pineapple pumpkin is loved by many summer residents and gardeners. Most note excellent taste and ease of care. However, in different regions, cultivation has its own nuances.
Dmitry, Novosibirsk: “I’ve been growing only muscat varieties for 10 years now. I used to plant the Zhemchuzhina variety, but last year I decided to try Pineapple. I was very pleased, as the taste is excellent and the germination is excellent. Harvested after August 20 and until October".
Olga, Orel: “I only plant Pineapple seedlings; before doing so, I always check for germination and germinate them. It requires little attention, which is a big plus. It tastes like melon. I prefer to eat vegetables only fresh, this way they retain more benefits and taste.”.
Marina, Yaroslavl: “I planted a pumpkin on good fertilized soil, but a month later the bushes became sick with root rot. Treated with Bordeaux mixture and ash.Due to the disease, the yield decreased significantly; I harvested only three pumpkins. I was left disappointed".
Conclusion
It's impossible not to fall in love with Pineapple Pumpkin! It is sweet and tender, ideal for consumption. The crop is easy to grow, and the yield is high.
Pumpkin is used not only to improve the health of the body, but also for beauty: for example, they make nourishing masks from it. Pineapple is also used as a base for baking. The vegetable makes excellent dietary pumpkin cheesecakes or pies.