Benincasa

Benincasa waxy: Southeast Asia is considered to be of origin. It is very popular in India, Latin America, China and even Indonesia. In Russia, few people know about this pumpkin, because only 3 of the following types are widespread: nutmeg; firm-mouthed; large-fruited.

Benincasa: pumpkin description

Benincasa: pumpkin photo

Benincasa wax belongs to the Pumpkin family. It is an annual liana-like plant with highly developed roots. The length of its faceted stems is about 4 meters, the thickness of which is about a pencil. Compared to other types of pumpkins, the waxy one - the leaves are not so large, they have long petioles.

Benincasa pumpkin flowers, both female and male, have 5 yellow-orange petals. The flowers can reach 15 cm in diameter, they are very beautiful with a pleasant aroma.

The rounded fruits themselves, which have a slightly elongated shape, can grow up to 10 kg, but in our climate and with good agricultural technology, they do not exceed 5 kg.

When beninkase pumpkin fruits are not yet ripe, they have rather stiff bristles on the skin, as well as a waxy coating. But when ripe, they become smooth and covered with a thick layer of white waxy substance. It is thanks to him that the pumpkin can be stored for a long time and not lose its properties. And even if you store winter pumpkin under room conditions, it can retain its useful qualities for 2.5-3 years. This is why it is interesting to some gardeners.

Benincasa: pumpkin gardeners reviews

Benincasa pumpkin: photo

Reviews of beninkase pumpkin are overwhelmingly positive. Benincasa is used in folk medicine due to its medicinal properties. The pulp of this pumpkin can be used to reduce high body temperature, as well as a diuretic and even pain reliever.

And pumpkin seeds benincasa are used for a tonic or even soothing effect. Roasted beninkase seeds are considered a delicacy.

If the fruits are small, then it is convenient to cut them into halves and use them for stuffing (for example, with meat). Unripe fruits of beninkase, not processed, can be rubbed into salads. And from ripe, you can make juice, soup, casserole or sweet porridge.

Growing beninkase pumpkin

Benincasa fodder pumpkin: photo

The place for growing beninkase should be sunny, with a nutritious breathable soil of a neutral reaction. It is better to start preparing the site in the fall, you need to dig it up and fertilize it with organic fertilizing, and also add sand if the soil is very heavy.

The land for planting beninkase pumpkin can be chosen after: potatoes; cabbage; Luke; root crops; legumes. Benincasa is resistant to various diseases and pests, and it also cannot be pollinated by its fellows.

In warm regions of Russia, this type of pumpkin can be planted with seeds directly on the garden bed. Whereas in cold ones - only through seedlings. To grow it, you need to sow benincase wax seeds around mid-to-late April, two for each container. Then it will be possible to see the strongest seedling and choose it for transplantation.

Beninkase pumpkin seedlings are transplanted into a film greenhouse without heating at the end of May (the temperature should be 25-30 C). Be sure to keep a distance of 70-80 cm between seedlings.

If you want to achieve a greater yield, then add ash or humus to the ground. It is better to grow benincasa using a trellis, this will provide good access to natural light. As gardeners who have already grown wax pumpkin recommend, it is worth cutting off the side shoots to form a single stem. Then your greenhouse will not look like a "thicket".

As long as the roots of benincase waxy are not very powerful and developed, it cannot survive dry soil. Therefore, before this period, it needs systematic watering with warm water. And it is better to fertilize the soil with mineral and organic fertilizing 2 times in 1 month.

For earlier fertilization, you can pollinate artificially (with a brush, move the pollen to female flowers from male flowers). You can pinch the central stem a little (at the end of August) for better ripening of the pumpkin.

Benincasa pumpkin fruits are harvested until the first frost occurs. But keep in mind that an unripe crop is not stored for a long time. It is better to eat it right away or freeze it.

Benincasa pumpkin: photo