A very compact and prolific Amazon pumpkin with crispy sweet flesh: what is good and how to grow it correctly
Pumpkin is not only a healthy vegetable, but also an indispensable ingredient for preparing sweet and spicy dishes. It goes well with honey, apple, cinnamon and ginger. To avoid wasting time searching for suitable pumpkins in the store, many people prefer to grow their own vegetables.
One of the most popular varieties Amazon pumpkin is recognized. Let's take a closer look at how to plant an Amazon pumpkin correctly and what you need for this.
Description of the pumpkin variety
Amazon is a compact bush pumpkin that does not require much attention. The variety is early ripening, ripens within 90-100 days from planting. The shoots and stem are erect, so the crop better retains moisture under the bush and shows consistently high yields.
Distinctive features
Amazon requires minimal space. The bushes have a classic green color, the fruits ripen at the base.
The Amazon is not afraid of cold or drought, tolerates major crop diseases well. Many gardeners also note the decorative function of the variety; neat bushes with bright pumpkins will decorate any garden plot.
Fruit characteristics and yield
The fruits have a flat, round shape and a rich orange dense peel. The weight of one pumpkin varies from 1 to 2.5 kg. The pulp is very tender and juicy, bright yellow. Product quality and taste are excellent. The vegetable also stores well and withstands transportation.From one bush, summer residents collect from 7 to 15 beautiful and tasty pumpkins.
Interesting! Pumpkin became known to people 8 thousand years ago. It was first tried by Indians from South America. Later, the crop began to be planted in all corners of the globe. The vegetable was not only eaten, but also used to make dishes, weave rugs from the peel, and also used flowers as decorations.
How to grow
Pumpkin is the most unpretentious melon crop, so difficulties in planting and care are extremely rare. The Amazon variety is planted in two ways: seedlings and non-seedlings. Let’s look at the essence of each one below, and also pay attention to the peculiarities of caring for the plant.
Planting by seeds
This method is most often used by gardeners from the southern regions of the country. For the seedless method, you will need seed material, a disinfectant and growth stimulants.
- Check seeds for germination. Place them in the saline solution and stir gently. Those seeds that remain on the surface of the water are empty and are not suitable for planting.
- Disinfect the material using a solution of wood ash, at the rate of 2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water. Disinfection destroys dangerous microorganisms on the surface of seeds and also increases the immunity of future plants.
- Temper the material for two days at a temperature of 1 degree.
- Place the seeds in a damp cloth bag and place in a warm place. After 2 days, add a growth stimulator, such as succinic acid. It accelerates growth and increases the germination rate of pumpkin by 10%.
Fertile and loose soil is allocated for the pumpkin. The site must be protected from the wind and have a high-quality topsoil. Plant the crop after legumes, onions or greens.And if you plant the Amazon variety on a compost heap, the vegetable does not need either loosening or weeding. Experienced gardeners recommend planting Amazon in early May.
Planting seedlings
Prepare nutritious soil for seedlings. Some summer residents prepare the composition themselves, using soil from the garden, peat and humus. The disadvantage of self-prepared soil is that it must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate. However, there are often reviews on the Internet that purchased soil contains larvae and debris. That's why Regardless of the method of preparing the soil, we advise you to still treat it with manganese.
Sow the seeds in a dry and clean container. This could be a wooden box or peat pot, a plastic cup or a special cassette. The distance between seedlings is at least 5 cm. Store the seedlings in a warm and bright place, water with a moderate amount of water every 5-7 days. After a couple of weeks, the sprouts are fertilized with liquid organic fertilizers, and after another 10 days the first mineral fertilizing is organized.
Important! To plant seedlings, choose the morning of a cool day. Before this, prepare the beds: burn all the garbage, dig up the soil, add peat and sawdust. The Amazon variety loves a mixture of loamy and sandy loam soils.
Care
To water all pumpkin varieties, use rain or settled water: watering with cold water increases the risk of infection. Pumpkin beds are watered every 10 days. To avoid sunburn, perform the procedure in the early morning or evening. Ash or nettle is periodically added to the water - thus, watering turns into immunity-strengthening fertilizer.
Amazon pumpkin is also regularly weeded.Weeding beds includes removing weeds and loosening the beds. If this is not done, the plant will quickly become overgrown with weeds that live off the vegetable. Loosen the soil every 10 days, due to which the soil becomes airy and oxygen access to the pumpkin roots improves.
A necessary stage of care is feeding the plants. Ideally, mineral complexes alternate with organic substances, so the bushes receive balanced nutrition. When it comes to organic matter, summer residents prefer nettles, ash, garlic, and onions. Solutions based on these products have a preventive and nutritional effect and increase productivity.
Important! Pay special attention to nitrogen fertilizers. A solution of superphosphate, potassium salt and ammonium nitrate is recognized as an excellent remedy. During the season, the bushes are fed with this product twice, strictly observing the dosage. Many people also use mineral complexes, such as Uniflor, Juno, and Garden Mix.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
Excess of mineral and nitrogen fertilizers leads to a number of difficulties. The shoots begin to develop quickly, but the fruits themselves remain small. Organics are fed after the first two leaves appear, and minerals are used during the formation of the first ovaries. When flowering begins, organic fertilizers are not applied. It is recommended to feed the pumpkin with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers before fruiting begins.
Also monitor the acidity of the soil. If there is an excess of it, the quality and taste of the fruit noticeably suffers. To reduce the acidity level, add yeast or ash. Irrigation based on them is recognized as a particularly effective means. In addition to root feeding, pay attention to foliar feeding.Spraying from a spray bottle additionally protects plants from unwanted insects.
Growing tips from experienced gardeners
To harvest a rich harvest, experienced gardeners recommend adhering to certain rules. Their use protects the beds from diseases and improves the taste of the fruit.
- pumpkins are not planted after cucumbers, zucchini and squash;
- for the highest yield, pumpkins are planted according to a 2 x 2 meter pattern;
- water the vegetable not at the root, but in a ditch in the form of a circle;
- excessive watering is contraindicated, otherwise the fruits will begin to crack;
- fertilize the bushes in strict accordance with the dosages and manufacturer’s recommendations;
- To increase productivity, liming is carried out, which reduces the acidity of the soil and makes it more nutritious.
Many gardeners advise using a drip irrigation system. It moisturizes the beds evenly, saves water consumption, and also improves photosynthesis and directs water directly to the roots. Use a drip system at any ripening period. Also, before watering, the soil is loosened. This way, water flows deeper into the soil better and the root system develops faster.
Diseases and pests
Sometimes the Amazon pumpkin gets bacteriosis. Due to the disease, the pumpkins become soft and begin to rot. Spots appear on the leaves, and soon the entire bush dries out. As a preventive operation, use spraying with a soap solution, which is prepared from 5 liters of water and 100 g of dry grated soap. The liquid forms a protective film on the leaves. If the crop is already sick, then spray the beds with a solution of copper sulfate, having previously prepared protective clothing and gloves.
Another common disease is called yellow mosaic.Appears as a bright yellow pattern on the leaves. The fruits become deformed and lose their presentation. For prevention, pumpkin is treated with the drug “Farmayod 3”, and weeds and debris are removed from the beds in a timely manner.
Pests include slugs and whiteflies, which appear due to high humidity and improper care. Wood ash is recognized as an excellent preventive and therapeutic agent. It is used both in dry form and as a solution with water.
Harvesting and application
Pumpkins are harvested when the stem has become hard and the leaves have dried out and turned yellow. The pumpkins themselves become bright and the skin is thick. It is recommended to harvest in dry weather.
The fruits are removed together with the stalk, so they are stored longer. If the weather is dry and warm, then the harvested crop is left for a couple of days in the beds. Subsequently, vegetables are stored in a dark place at a temperature of 5 to 15 degrees. A great place for storage is a basement or pantry.
Interesting! Pumpkin contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A has a strong rejuvenating effect and also strengthens hair and nails. B vitamins have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system and relieve gas formation. Pumpkin is also rich in fiber, calcium, magnesium and iron. That is why the product is often recommended to people who follow a healthy diet.
The product has a peculiar sweetish taste. The vegetable is used to prepare side dishes and salads, which are combined with fish and meat dishes. Also Pumpkin makes delicious pancakes and pancakes, which serve as an excellent dessert and are safe for your figure.In addition, the vegetable is actively used for making soups; the recipe with the addition of smoked meats is especially popular.
On a note! In Italy, pumpkin puree soup is prepared with the addition of cheese and wine, and in Haiti such a dish is an integral element on the festive table. In Australia, the soup is made very thick and a large amount of spices are added to it, and in Afghanistan they prepare milk soup with pumpkin called “shirkavak”.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Amazon variety is one of the easiest to care for; it does not require shaping or pinching the top. Care consists only of timely watering and fertilizing. Pumpkin produces good and stable yields, has high immunity, and has high taste. Amazon is also perfectly stored and transported.
The variety has no significant disadvantages; it only occasionally gets sick and needs treatment.
Read also:
The benefits and harms of pumpkin for the body: composition and properties of the vegetable.
The benefits and harms of steamed pumpkin.
A large-fruited variety with a positive name - “Smile” pumpkin.
Farmer reviews
About the variety Amazon say different things. Sometimes gardeners are happy with the harvest, and sometimes, on the contrary, they are disappointed. What do Russian summer residents say about the Russian variety?
Pavel, Moscow: “I have been growing the Amazon variety for a long time, and every year it pleases me with an excellent harvest. Pumpkins are compact, neat, and easy to cook. And you can’t imagine an easier variety to care for, which I really like. I make pumpkin juice or bake it in the oven.”
Dmitry, Kurgan: “I planted the Amazon pumpkin in the beds after the tomatoes on May 7th. I planted seedlings and began watering the beds with rainwater in mid-May. In general, the variety is not bad both in taste and in external qualities.”
Zina, Orenburg: “I heard a lot of conflicting reviews about the Amazon variety, so I decided to check it myself and planted the seeds last year. The fruits set amicably, but the maximum weight of one is only 900 g. The shelf life turned out to be short, and within a month the collected vegetables began to deteriorate.”
Conclusion
The Amazon variety is perfect for those summer residents who do not yet have experience growing pumpkins. Basic care allows you to get maximum yield with minimal effort. Small vegetables have a long shelf life, so they are often grown not only for personal consumption, but also for sale.
Amazon will perfectly complement both morning breakfast and meat for lunch, and will also serve as the basis for an evening sweet pie.