Butternut Pumpkin Pearl

Butternut pumpkin Pearl is one of the most famous and popular among summer residents and vegetable growers in our country. Let's take a closer look at it, and also look at all its pros and cons.

Butternut pumpkin Pearl: description and characteristics of the variety

Butternut pumpkin Pearl: photo of the variety

Pumpkin varieties Pearl are distinguished by long whips and a powerful bush with a trunk length of up to 100 centimeters, up to 7 lateral shoots can form on it. On each individual shoot, ovaries are formed, one piece on each shoot. The bush of this pumpkin also has a powerful rather root system that goes deep into the ground, sometimes up to 4 meters deep. The foliage is dark green, pentagonal in shape. In this culture, female and male flowers are formed, quite large, having five petals and bright yellow in color. Ovaries are formed from female flowers after pollination.

This butternut squash is a medium late variety. Ripe fruits can be harvested and consumed in 4-5 months. From one square meter, with proper care, you can get up to 15 kilograms of ripe and tasty fruits. Although the yield is greatly influenced by the growing region, the warmer, the richer the harvest. The ripe fruits of this pumpkin variety are large, elongated, cylindrical in shape. Outwardly, they resemble a vegetable such as a vegetable marrow, which has an oval or round thickening at the top, often of the fruit. In this thickening there is a small seed nest, three-lumen, which is filled with small, oval and wide seeds.

The surface of ripe fruits is smooth or slightly segmented. The length of vegetables reaches 50-60 centimeters, and when growing, the mass reaches 6 kilograms, but there are times when the weight reaches 8 kilograms. Vegetables have a rather plastic and thin skin, have a greenish or bright orange color.

The inside of ripe pumpkins is dark orange in color, juicy and crunchy, has a fibrous structure and a delicate, rich aroma. These pumpkins taste quite sweet. Many vegetable growers even praise it, calling it the most delicious and fragrant pumpkin of the whole family.

In addition, the pulp of this pumpkin contains a large amount of vitamins B, E, PP, K and provitamin A, carotene, pectin substances. The low calorie content of this vegetable is distinguished, due to this it is actively used in diets. This type of pumpkin is a representative of table varieties. Ripe fruits are used in many dishes, baked goods, and juices. Pumpkin Pearl tolerates freezing very well and is also used for canning. It is very widely used for the manufacture of baby food.

A huge amount of proven facts about the medicinal properties of this pumpkin. It is very useful for organs such as the eyes and heart, has a diuretic effect, regular consumption of food helps to strengthen the immune system, and the content of vitamin K can slow down the aging process of the body.

A distinctive feature of this pumpkin variety is its good resistance to low temperatures and other unfavorable climatic conditions. Good storage capacity and high yields are another distinguishing feature of the fruits of this plant.

But, although the variety is distinguished by a long shelf life, it will be better to consume ripe fruits within six months, since it is this time that the pumpkin does not lose its taste in full.The quality and quantity of the pearl pumpkin harvest depends on climatic conditions, the quality of the planting material, the fertility of the land, and the correct care.

Growing conditions for nutmeg pumpkin variety Pearl

Pumpkin Pearl is a relatively unpretentious type of pumpkin, it does not require special and time-consuming care and additional costs, you just need to watch it on time and carefully and treat its requirements. But, nevertheless, one should think about favorable conditions for its cultivation. Planting this plant requires a sunny area without through and strong winds.

The soil for planting should be warmed up to about +12 degrees, it should be light loamy or sandy loam. For a rich, good harvest, experienced vegetable growers advise planting a pumpkin on a compost heap, or in close proximity to it. An area close to the occurrence of groundwater is not the best choice for planting this plant, since the roots of the pumpkin go deep into the soil, this can cause infection of some types of diseases.

To avoid the appearance of various kinds of diseases and pests, you need to take advice and plant a vegetable after crops such as legumes or potatoes. But it is not recommended to plant after zucchini, cucumbers and squash, since they have similar diseases that pumpkin is susceptible to.

In the northern regions of our country, the seedling method is used for planting this pumpkin, but in the south of Russia they use the seedling method. Seeds are sown directly into open ground, heated, as mentioned above, to 10-12 degrees, they usually do this in late spring and early summer. But, before sowing, the seeds must be prepared. To do this, just soak them in a solution of potassium permanganate for 2-3 hours, this is enough. Next, dry the seeds and treat them with a fungicide to prevent infection with various infections.

Sowing seeds in open ground is as follows: in a prepared hole, 5-6 centimeters deep, 2 seeds are planted, after which they are covered with soil a little and left so that the sprout can germinate on its own. The soil for planting should be wet, fertilized and loose. The holes are dug at a distance of about 1.5 meters from each other so that one plant cannot interfere with the growth of another. in the process of growing nutmeg gourd Pearl, the air temperature from +19 to +25 is considered the best and most favorable.

With the seedling method, forcing is usually carried out from mid-spring, this is approximately one month before the plant is planted in a permanent growing place. With this method of cultivation, pumpkin seeds are also pre-prepared, they are soaked in a weak manganese solution for about 19 hours, then washed and dried.

A fungicide treatment for disease prevention is also done. Planting into holes is done under the same conditions as with the seed method. Up to about three times a season, the procedure of sprinkling internodes with moist soil is done (when the bushes grow and branch), this stimulates the formation of adventitious roots, thanks to which the plant receives an additional source of nutrition.

Care rules

Pumpkin Pearl is resistant to drought and hot climates, but despite this, the plant needs regular moisture in the soil. Watering the bushes is carried out with warm, settled water. When watering, use 30 liters of water per hectare of plantings, watering directly under the root. It is very important to water the vegetable during flowering and fruit set. Irrigate up to 2 times a week. Watering can be reduced when all the fruits are already set and the ripening period begins.

The first shoots of pumpkin must be thinned out, so, of the two shoots in one hole, the highest is selected, the other is removed.
In cold and bad weather, the stems of a young pumpkin bush should be cut off, leaving only 3 pieces, while cutting off the top. This will help give growth to new side shoots.

The shoots are covered with soil and a new root system begins to form, creating protection from drafts and not allowing foliage and ovaries to be pulled off. This procedure is performed up to 3 times per season.

Several times per season, the plant needs fertilizing, mineral and organic in nature, such as humus and peat. The first time they do top dressing, when the bush has formed 5 first leaves. The second time is fed when the weaving of the bush has begun.
Pumpkin Pearl requires a weeding and loosening procedure. This will not only allow oxygen to get close to the root system, but it can also prevent the attacks of certain pests and the development of diseases.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like other plants, the Pearl gourd has its own pros and cons.

The advantages of this plant include:

• Frost resistance and endurance to sudden temperature changes.
• Resistant to dry weather.
• Wonderful smell and taste.
• Convenient fruit shape for use and storage.
• Good preservation and transportability.
• Great nutritional value.

This variety also has some disadvantages:

• Pumpkin Pearl is demanding about care and land.
• Susceptible to infections and pests.
• With a long shelf life, the taste is sharply reduced.

Diseases and pests

Butternut squash Pearl prone to disease Bacteriosis It manifests itself in the form of protruding brownish dots, and the more this disease is not treated, the faster and stronger the infection spreads. Further, it turns into sores, changes the appearance, quality and taste of the fruit. Unfortunately, the disease cannot be cured.

The only way to get rid of it is to completely remove the entire plant, and other plants, at the same time, are treated with Bordeaux liquid. Another ailment that often affects pumpkin is powdery mildew. This is a fungal disease that first affects the foliage, and then the entire plant, killing it. The causative agent of the disease is a fungus, it is resistant to high humidity and sudden temperature changes. If you notice him in time and start fighting with him, you can get rid of him. For this, the plant is treated with sodium phosphate or colloidal sulfur.

In general, the species is susceptible to the same diseases as other melons and gourds. The more famous of them are some types of rot, anthracnose and fusarium wilting. The main thing is to notice the disease in time and start treatment, as well as take preventive measures. Be sure to observe crop rotation and pre-sowing seed treatment.

Pumpkin Pearl is susceptible to attacks by pests. Often these are aphids, a bear and a spider mite. Special chemicals and folk remedies are used against their attacks. To do this, use a soap solution, ash, infusion of onions and garlic.

Pumpkin Pearl: reviews

Due to its taste, drought resistance and frost resistance, this pumpkin is rightfully considered one of the most favorite among gardeners and vegetable growers in our country. Both children and adults love its exquisite smell and sweetness. And for its nutritional value and healing properties, it is actively used for medical purposes and for dietary nutrition. On various forums on the Internet about the Pearl butternut pumpkin leave a huge number of reviews. Here are some of them:

- I planted different varieties of pumpkins, but I especially fell in love with the Pearl variety, for its wonderful aroma and taste. I shoot these pumpkins while they are green, then they ripen for about two weeks like this, on the balcony, in an unripe state they are even tastier, in my opinion. True, it is impossible to store for a long time, the original taste is lost.
Marina, 53 years old

- I have been growing this variety in the garden for quite some time, I like it very much! Fruits grow in weight about 3-4 kilograms. Delicious, ideal for preparing porridge. And also they are easily and quickly peeled from the peel, with round varieties it was worn out, and with it it is easier.
Tatiana, 47 years old

- Initially, this pumpkin was grown by my sister, and she treated me to it.I didn't like it so much that I, too, and the next year dropped her off at my dacha. But it was not lucky with the summer, it turned out to be cool, so the bush grew for a very long time. In mid-September, the fruits were still green. But overall, I am satisfied. I will continue to cultivate the Pearl butternut pumpkin at home, and I advise you.
Irina, 32 years old