Pumpkin varieties

Now it is difficult to imagine vegetable gardens and home gardens where pumpkin is not grown. Many centuries ago, the Maya tribe used pumpkin varieties for their own purposes, as they were aware of its medicinal properties. You can even, perhaps, put this plant in the first place, because it is very healing, it has a long shelf life, and not only its excellent inner part of the fruit, but also seeds are used for food. There are a huge number of subspecies of this culture in the world, each of which is individual in its own way, some are eaten, others are used to feed livestock, and others are used for medicinal purposes. Which variety to grow in your garden is up to you, and we, in turn, will simply tell you about the most popular and significant ones.

General description and classification

There are 27 species in the pumpkin family, of which many more subspecies have been bred. In Russia, they are mainly engaged in the cultivation of three species - with large fruits (these varieties grow the sweetest and largest fruits, they are mainly grown by residents of the northern regions of our country, and they have good keeping quality), with a hard crust (this is ordinary pumpkins, with a rather thick and strong peel, they are the earliest by the ripening period, in late summer or early autumn) and nutmeg (grown most often in the southern regions, as these varieties are thermophilic. They have a long growing season). Also, pumpkins are divided according to their purpose and use - they are decorative, table and fodder. Let's consider the classification of varieties in more detail.

Large-fruited varieties

The varieties with large fruits have about 100 subspecies. Gardeners do not really prefer large-fruited varieties, since very large vegetables are not very convenient to store at home, and it is impossible to eat such a large vegetable at once. The main distinguishing feature of this variety is the foliage, which looks more like a bud than a pentagon and also a round peduncle and a stem without grooves.
- Russian porridge. By this name, you can already understand that the variety is widely used for cooking, stewing and baking. It is a representative of varieties with an average ripening period. The first ripe fruits can be obtained in 4 months. On one adult bush, there are up to 4 fruits. Each fruit has a pink-orange color and weighs up to 7 kg. The shape of vegetables is round, with a slight ribbing. The inside of the pumpkin is orange in color and medium density. This vegetable has good taste characteristics.

- Pumpkin Lantern. It is a representative of medium-sized pumpkins, the crop can be harvested in 4 months. The plant prefers warmth and is fairly drought tolerant. Ripe fruits look round, slightly elongated, smooth and slightly ribbed, pink-orange in color. The mass of one vegetable reaches approximately 6 kilograms. The pulp of this type is yellow-orange in color, quite juicy and crunchy. This variety is not resistant to powdery mildew infection and bacteriosis. The subspecies tolerates transportation well, it is stored for about 4 months. The variety is widely used in the manufacture of purees and juices, and before that it is subjected to heat treatment.

Pumpkin nutmeg

Native to the butternut squash from Mexico. The cultivation of butternut squash is most suitable in our country for the southern regions. In other regions, it can also be grown, but only by seedling or in greenhouse conditions.It is considered among gardeners the best and favorite of the entire pumpkin family, due to its taste characteristics, a fairly long shelf life and an excellent color and taste of the pulp. It has a delicate, nutmeg scent, which is where its name comes from.

Butternut squash has a huge number of subspecies with various shapes and colors. Most of them are long, oval, cylindrical or pear-shaped. Due to its long shelf life, butternut pumpkin is called winter pumpkin, and the longer it is stored, the richer and brighter its pulp, but you should not store the pumpkin for more than 6 months. A clear difference between the subspecies of this pumpkin is the presence of a pentahedral stalk, extended towards the base, and in all these species, a thin peel is easily peeled. The seeds of these pumpkins are brown or yellow-brown in color. Almost all subspecies of butternut squash are late-ripening.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular types of butternut squash.
- Pumpkin Golden Pear. It is a subspecies with an early ripening period. The ripe crop is removed after three months. The fruits of this variety have an orange color and a unique shape, in the form of a drop. They are relatively small, only up to 2 kilograms in weight. The inside of this pumpkin is sweet and rich in flavor, juicy, dense in structure and has a nutty flavor. Pumpkin has a fairly high resistance to diseases, as well as excellent keeping quality.

— Candied... It is a mid-season variety. 5 months after planting and sprouting, the first harvest can be expected. The mass of a ripe fruit is about 5 kilograms, it is a light brown shade and a flattened, round shape. The inside of the vegetable is orange in color, it tastes crunchy and sugar. This subtype of pumpkin is often used for the preparation of baby food, confectionery and medicine. The species is very well kept and transported over long and long distances.

- Pumpkin Arabatskaya. Probably the most tried and tested pumpkin subspecies. It is a representative of mid-late pumpkin varieties. The crop is harvested after 4.5 months. Fruits at maturity are large in size, reaching a weight of 20 kilograms, although if we take the average value, then their weight ranges from 5 to 8 kilograms. The fruit is elongated, with a thickening at the top. The outside of the fruit is covered with a thin orange crust. The inside of the vegetable is bright orange in color, very juicy and sweet in taste, with a dense structure.

— Marble... Refers to varieties with an average ripening period. Harvesting is possible in 4 months. The fruits of this species have a round flattened shape. The mass of a ripe vegetable reaches approximately 10 kilograms. The inside of the vegetable has an orange color, a loose structure and a very delicate taste. They are grown mainly in the southern regions of Russia. A distinctive feature of the species is that the fruits tolerate transportation well over long distances, do not rot and do not crack. The vegetable can be stored for up to one year, but only at sufficiently low air temperatures.

— Vitamin... It is a late-ripening subspecies. The ripening period of the fruit begins after 4 months. The fruits weigh about 5 kilograms, oval-ribbed in shape. One plant grows up to 3 orange-colored vegetables with a thin peel. The fruit has a short shelf life. The inside is pleasant and sweet, crispy, dense in structure and orange in color. This subspecies is used for the manufacture of various confectionery products, juices.

- Spanish guitar... She was given such a name for its unusual appearance and shape. Refers to subspecies with an average fruit ripening period. The vegetable is 70 to 100 centimeters long and about 17 centimeters in diameter, depending on the fertility of the soil. The weight of one fruit reaches 8 kilograms. The surface of the fruit is covered with a thin skin. The pulp is orange in color and has an excellent taste, reminiscent of apricots. The vegetable can be eaten raw.In Russia, this variety is rarely grown.

— New... In appearance and taste, it resembles an Arabian gourd. The main difference of the variety is its size, weight up to 5 kilograms, and the ripening period is longer. Pumpkin has a long shelf life. The grown fruit is long, cylindrical in shape. The flesh of this species is sweet, dense, dark orange in color.

- Muscat de Provence... The variety was bred by breeders from France. . is a bright representative of mid-season varieties. The first crop ripens in 110 days. A mature vegetable reaches a weight of 4 kilograms. Fruits are flattened, round, ribbed and orange in color. The pulp is also orange in color, juicy and sweet, with a firm structure. At temperatures up to -10 degrees, vegetables of this type can be stored for a long time, but they must be collected for storage immature.

- Nut or Butternut... This pumpkin was born thanks to the crossing of African and nutmeg pumpkins by scientists from Israel. The fruits reach their ripening in 3-4 months. In order for the culture to bear fruit more and better, only a maximum of 5 fruits are left on one of its bush. They weigh up to 1.5 kilograms. The vegetable of this subspecies is elongated, somewhat reminiscent of a yellow zucchini. The peel of the vegetable is quite dense and firm. The flesh of the vegetable is also yellow, juicy and fibrous. The fruit has few seeds. The pulp has a delicate nutty smell.

This species has one important feature: the fruits can be torn off before full ripening occurs. They ripen separately from the bush, and, in addition, this affects their greater safety. If there is a possibility of an early cold snap, then vegetables are picked from late summer to early autumn. Vegetables of this type can be consumed unprocessed, as well as used to add to meat and prepare various second courses. You need to know that if you want to get a good and tasty harvest, then this crop will have to be carefully looked after.
— Gilea... It is a mid-season subspecies. The fruits are of various colors and shapes. They have a thin peel, and they gain weight up to 8 kilograms. The flesh of these vegetables is juicy and sweet. The main feature of the variety is its long shelf life, up to one year.

- Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia... It is a very unusual and interesting variety, mainly due to its external data. For the first time, the variety appeared in Italy, but our vegetable growers also fell in love with it. The fruits have an unusual, dull green with a gray-blue tint, color. The surface of the fruit is lumpy. A ripe pumpkin weighs on average 6 kilograms, but it happens that fruits weighing up to 10 kilograms grow. The inside of the vegetable is dense and dry. Stores well enough, up to six months.

Hard-bark pumpkin

These pumpkin varieties are the most common in our gardens and plots. These varieties are also called table varieties. The main reason why they like to grow in our country is the early ripening period. These plants have a long, prickly, hairy stem that reaches 7 meters, although there are crops with short stems.
— Gymnosperms... This is a whole group of plants, the seeds of which are not covered with a hard crust. Now this group began to gain more and more popularity, although they knew about it back in the 20th century. The first harvest of ripe pumpkins is harvested 4 months after germination. The appearance of the fruit is not as attractive as that of other varieties. It is yellow-green, covered with a thin but hard and dense skin. It has a round shape with slight ribbing. The mass of one ripe vegetable is about 4 to 7 kilograms. The fruits can be stored for about 2 months. Vegetables are used both fresh and for the manufacture of various dishes. It is actively used in medicine and cosmetology. Experienced gardeners advise using the vegetable a few weeks after harvest. Since it is then that they fully reveal their taste characteristics. This variety is often grown for seed production.This variety has the ability to cross-pollinate, so they are planted separately from other pumpkin crops. The most famous and popular types of gymnosperms are Gymnosperms 14, Danae, Miranda, Olga and Hamlet.

- Pumpkin Bulgarian... Its other name is Pumpkin Lady's Nail... This type is actively used for seeds. It is a bush variety that ripens in 3-4 months. Ripe fruits of this type are round and slightly flattened, yellow or light gray in color. The weight of one vegetable reaches 5 kilograms, and the pulp is very tasty.

— Bun... It is a representative of early varieties. It takes about 3 months to remove mature varieties. Mature vegetables are small in size, about 1.5 kilograms, orange in color with light stripes that divide the vegetable into separate segments. The pulp of the vegetable is juicy, sugar, has an orange color. Ripe fruits are consumed fresh, and also used in the manufacture of dietary dishes, juices and much more. This kind is ideal for storage.

- Pumpkin Gribovskaya bush... It is a prominent representative of early maturing varieties. The plant is bushy and quite powerful. Fruits ripen up to 4 kg in weight, with an orange surface and a green pattern. They have a cylindrical shape, thickened at the end. The flesh of ripe fruits of this variety is sweet, yellow in color, but, in general, the taste characteristics of this pumpkin are not impressive. The main difference is the good preservation of the fruit.

- Vermicelli pumpkin. It is a variety with a fast ripening period, very unusual and original. The first crop ripens in three months. Mature fruits resemble melon in appearance. Pumpkins grow up to one kilogram in weight. The pulp is striking with a light, delicate vanilla aroma, beige in color and not juicy. It got its name due to the fact that during cooking, the pumpkin pulp breaks down into individual fibers. The outer surface of the fruit is creamy yellow in color and firm, oval in shape.

- Pumpkin Danka Polka. The main reason for growing this variety is its seeds. Shrub variety. The fruits do not grow very large, within 2-3 kilograms. The fruits contain a huge amount of seeds and they are very tasty. And the pulp is mainly used for animal feed.

- Pumpkin Country... It is a representative of fast ripening varieties. The first harvest of juicy fruits is ready for consumption in 3 months. The inside of the vegetable is aromatic, sweet and rich. The fruit itself is oblong, orange in color with green stripes. When ripe, they reach a mass of 4 kilograms. The variety is quite hardy to cold weather, so it gets along well in the northern regions of our country. It has a fairly good preservation, up to 4 months.

- Pumpkin Freckle... Fruits of this variety, when ripe, have a round green color with light yellow "freckles". The vegetables are small in size, grow up to 2 kilograms. The pulp of the species has a delicate pear aroma, orange in color, but not entirely sweet.

Varieties grown in Siberia and the Urals

Unlike the southern regions of Russia, where a large number of different varieties of pumpkins can be grown, the northern regions are not rich in a wide variety of these plant species. For regions such as Siberia and the Urals, it is worth choosing varieties with a short growing season, usually grown by the seedling method. Let's take a look at some of these varieties.
— Pearl... One bush of this subspecies can give up to 6 fruits. The harvest begins in three months. The fruits are round in shape, the rind is orange, slightly elongated, and have a thick rind. Ripe fruits weigh 3 to 8 kilograms. In appearance they resemble the Butternut variety. The inside is juicy and rich, orange in color, soft, fibrous. Pumpkin is used both ready-made and unprocessed. This variety has good keeping quality and can be transported over long distances. But only after six months, the taste characteristics of the vegetable deteriorate.

— Smile... The variety appeared thanks to our breeders about 15 years ago. It is considered an early maturing variety. The first harvest begins to be received in less than three months. One plant can grow up to 15 fruits. Ripe fruits are orange and striped. The peel of vegetables is of medium thickness and resembles a small ball in appearance. The ripe fruit reaches a mass of 1 kilogram, such a small size allows you to use the vegetable in portions. The pulp is very tasty, juicy, with the same color as the peel, has a delicate melon aroma. The harvest of this variety is stored until about mid-winter. This species is considered cold-hardy and drought-resistant.

— Therapeutic. It is a representative of large-fruited varieties. The fruits fully ripen in 3-3.5 months. The fruits of this variety are round in shape, weighing up to 5 kilograms. The gray vegetable has a thin crust that is divided into segments. The pulp of the fruit is orange in color, sweetish, crunchy in taste and with a delicate, pleasant smell. They are actively used in dietary nutrition. Also, the pulp is often used to make mashed potatoes, sweets, juice, and more. They are used in folk medicine and cosmetology. The harvest of this variety is well stored (about 6 months) and is transportable over long distances. Unfortunately, the culture is prone to various kinds of rot, powdery mildew and anthroknosis.

Varieties grown in the Moscow region

There are pumpkin varieties that are grown in certain regions and districts of our country. Let's take a look at some of these varieties that are grown in open space in the central part of our country.
- Sweet pie... It is considered a high-yielding crop and early maturing. The fruit of this variety has an orange crust with a ribbed, smooth surface. The mass of fully ripe fruits reaches 3 kilograms, the shape is round, they are ideal for various types of processing. The inside has a sweet taste, very juicy, crunchy, and has a yellow color. The growing season for this plant is approximately 3 months. The harvest is kept pretty well, about a few months.

— Chit... Quite a well-known variety in Russia for many years. The variety needs care. The first harvest can be obtained in 4 months. A vegetable of this variety is considered portioned, weighing up to 3.5 kilograms. The fruit is covered with a smooth gray rind. The flesh of the vegetable is yellow, slightly juicy and sweet in taste. Stored pretty well, up to six months. The plant is not resistant to powdery mildew infection and is quite hardy to anthroknosis.

— Melon... It is considered the best among gardeners, both in terms of caring for the variety, and in terms of taste and storage period. Due to the delicate melon smell of the fruit, it received such a name. The plant is quite resistant to drought and cold weather. It is a high-yielding variety. After the first sprouts appear, vegetables can be harvested after 4 months. The fruits are round and slightly ribbed. The mass of a ripe vegetable reaches 30 kilograms. They are orange in color. The inside is juicy and sweet, which is used to prepare various dishes and juices, as well as baby food and during a diet. This variety is capable of growing even in the northern regions of Russia, because the bushes are able to withstand temperatures up to -20 degrees.

- Pastila Champagne... Quite an unusual and unusual type of pumpkin. The fruit is ellipsoidal and long in shape. The fruit of this variety is similar to torpedo melon. One fully ripe vegetable can weigh up to 3 kilograms. It has a thin skin and pink color. The pulp of this plant is orange in color, juicy and dense in structure, has a delicate vanilla aroma. Seeds occupy a very small part of the fruit. This vegetable is compared to carrots in taste. This variety is used not only processed, but also fresh. It is suitable for making juices and salads, as well as baked and stewed. The fruits are kept very well.

— Almond... The variety was named so because of the subtle, delicate, almond scent of the fruit. It is a representative of early maturing varieties. The bushes of this variety produce fruits with a very hard crust. You can get the harvest in 3 months. Although the plant is very demanding on watering and soil fertility. One ripe pumpkin weighs up to 5 kilograms, with a dark orange, segmented rind. The vegetable has a flattened, round shape. The inside of the fruit tastes sweet, dense, yellow-orange in color. Vegetables of this plant are widely used as feed for livestock, as well as in the preparation of various dishes. This variety is susceptible to powdery mildew disease, but it is hardy enough to cold weather.

— Dawn... A ripe crop is obtained in 4 months. Ripe fruits weigh up to about 7 kilograms, round in shape. The peel of the vegetable is thin, segmented. Has a gray-green color with spots of gray, orange tint. The seed part of the fruit is small. The pulp is bright orange in color, rather sweet, but not juicy. The fruit of this plant contains a huge amount of carotene, therefore this variety is very often used in dietary nutrition, and also gorgeous baked goods are obtained with this pumpkin. This plant is quite resistant to various infections and diseases, for example, powdery mildew, various kinds of rot, fusarium and anthracnose.

— Russian woman... This variety is a frost-resistant crop, therefore it is grown and central regions our country. Also, the variety belongs to high-yielding and transportable. It is considered an early ripening variety, since the first harvest is obtained in about 3 months. The fruits are yellow-orange in color and weigh up to 4 kilograms. Vegetables thin out the delicate melon smell and have a sweet taste. They look long, like a whirligig. The vegetable has a ligneous thick crust. One bush can produce 5 pumpkins. The pulp of the fruit is bright orange in color. Ripe vegetables are widely used in the preparation of various dishes. But the fruits of this variety cannot be stored for a long time.

Sweet varieties

There are a huge number of pumpkin varieties in the world, about 700, but only 35 of them rightfully belong to sweet varieties, due to the high sugar content in the pulp of their fruits. Growing such a delicious and amazing pumpkin requires proper and careful care. If you do not follow proper and serious care, then even a sweet pumpkin variety may not grow a sugar fruit at all. Most often, these varieties are grown in the southern regions. Here are some of them:
— Honey... It is an early ripening pumpkin variety. Based on the name, it immediately becomes clear that the pulp of this variety is extremely tasty and sweet. Some pumpkin lovers even give it first place for taste. The first harvest of ripe fruits is harvested after three months. Ripe fruit has a ribbed surface and orange color. When ripe, it reaches a weight of up to 6 kilograms. The inside is very sweet and crunchy with a delicate, pleasant scent. The crop of this type can be stored. Vegetables are used for preparation and preparation of various delicious dishes, and it can also be consumed unprocessed. Several types are combined in a honey pumpkin, these are honey beauty, honey dessert and honey princess.

— Sweetheart... It is an early maturing variety. Ideal for growing in hot climates as it tolerates drought well. The cultivar requires nutrients in the ground where the pumpkin grows. The fruit is ribbed, round in shape. The mass of one ripe fruit reaches 6 kilograms. The rind of the pumpkin is dark green and smooth. The pulp is sweet, orange in color, it contains juice. A distinctive feature is the ability to store for a long time and transportability over long distances.

— Winter sweet. It is a representative of late varieties. The first harvest of ripe pumpkins is harvested in 4-5 months. Ripe fruits are round, slightly flattened, segmented, dark gray in color.The fruits of this species grow up to 5 kilograms, and sometimes even up to 12 kilograms. The inside of the ripe pumpkin is bright orange in color, with a dense and juicy structure, very tasty. This variety is quite resistant to drought and infection of the most common diseases. It is considered transportable and long-lasting (up to a year). This pumpkin is actively used in the preparation of various culinary dishes, for canning, and also consumed fresh.

— Gray Volga... Vegetables of this type begin to ripen after 4 months. The fruits of this variety grow large, usually weighing up to 9 kilograms, although there have been cases when their weight reached 20 kilograms. Ripe fruits are slightly flattened and round in shape. Their crust is soft and thin, gray in color and small segments. The inner part of the fruit is yellowish, but in taste it is sweetish. The shelf life of these pumpkins is short. Often it is grown as a preparation of feed for livestock, but people also eat it, because you can cook a lot of different dishes with it.

— Sweetie. It is a representative of large-fruited varieties of this culture. An early maturing variety that likes to grow in fertile soil. The first ripe fruits appear in three months. One plant can give up to 8 fruits at once. The top of the fruit is orange, segmented, and is considered a portioned vegetable. Round pumpkin. The mass of one ripe fruit is about 2-3 kilograms, but there are cases when the pumpkin grew up to 50 or even 100 kilograms in weight. The pumpkin flesh is juicy, crunchy and extremely tasty. The seed part of the fruit is small. The crop can be stored until January, but always in a cool room. It is advisable to wait at all with its use, and not after collecting it immediately, or after a short time, since the longer it stays in storage, it tastes better than its quality. The variety is not quite suitable for transportation, its bark can be quickly damaged. Also, this wonderful subspecies is frost-resistant. She feels good, grows, being, and in the middle climatic zone of our country. The pulp of this pumpkin is often used in the manufacture of baby food. It can be consumed both processed and fresh.

Hybrid varieties

Recently, a lot of hybrid varieties of the main and popular varieties have been bred. F1 varieties are gaining more and more popularity, because they surpass other varieties in resistance to infections and pests, as well as high rates of fruiting. Let's consider some hybrids in more detail.
- Matilda F1... This hybrid was bred by breeders from Holland. A ripe crop can be harvested in 3.5-4 months. In one plant, 9 fruits can form and grow, each of which in mature form weighs up to 3 kilograms. Ripe fruits are distinguished by their elongated shape and thin skin, slightly segmented. The color of the rind can be different, for example, pink, white or yellow. The pulp of the grown fruits is very aromatic, juicy and tasty, has an orange color. The pumpkin can be stored for about 4 months. Before eating this vegetable, you should hold it for a while. Seeds take up little space in the vegetable. And its very tasty inner part of the fruit makes it to be used as cooking salads, baking, baking and much more.

- Blush F1... Belong to mid-season hybrid varieties. To get a tasty, ripe harvest, you need to wait about 3.5 months. This culture is grown through seedlings. Pulp seeds are not suitable for planting, so you need to buy them every time, every year. Ripe fruits have a very unusual and interesting appearance. A fully ripe fruit weighs 8 kilograms. The outer part of the pumpkin is segmented, pink in color and with a fairly dense rind. The inside is orange, juicy and delicious.The pulp is used for the preparation of juices, mashed potatoes, baked goods and much more. The harvest of this type of fruit can be stored.

- Buttery crumpet F1... It is a representative of late-ripening varieties. In the middle climatic zone of Russia, this species is grown through seedlings. Due to the fact that this is a hybrid variety, it is impossible to prepare the seeds on your own. The ripe fruit has a greenish and thin skin. The mass of the grown pumpkin is about 7 kilograms. The pulp of an adult vegetable is orange in color, sweet and rather juicy. The harvest of ripe vegetables can not only be stored, but also done for a long time, besides, the more this variety is stored, the sweeter and juicier it becomes. The fruits of this variety are actively used for cooking sweet dishes, this pumpkin is great for this, but it is also canned, boiled and consumed unprocessed.

- Hazelnut F1. Belongs to early maturing varieties. The growing season for this plant lasts about 3 months. The culture needs regular soil moisture. Ripe fruits have a thick skin on the outside with an orange or reddish-orange tint. The mass of the vegetable is about 1.5-2 kilograms. The inner part of the pumpkin is dense in structure, with a lot of starch and orange color. The sweet taste of the fruit is not enough, although it is a hybrid in which all the best should be collected. The pulp has a subtle nutty smell. The fruits of this plant can be stored. This variety is used for stewing and baking. Pumpkin seeds can be planted on seedlings and sown directly in open areas.

Conclusion

Each of us, from childhood, knows and remembers that pumpkin is one of the most useful crops. This wonderful vegetable is widely used in various fields. It is actively used for the preparation of baby food and as a dietary product; it is baked, stewed, canned and consumed fresh. There are a huge number of different varieties and subspecies of this wonderful plant. There are the same number and even more opinions about pumpkin. In this article, we have described the most popular and famous pumpkins, and it is up to you to choose which one you want to grow on your site. Have a nice harvest!