Pumpkin Candy

In this article, we will take a closer look at the "Sweetie" pumpkin variety, the name of which is not accidental. You will learn the description of the pumpkin, the main characteristics of its fruit. What kind of pumpkin Sweetie has advantages and disadvantages. We will also talk about the peculiarities of growing Yummy pumpkin, how to plant it correctly and take care of it in the future. We will also touch on the topic of diseases and pests, as well as share the reviews of gardeners.

Pumpkin Sweetie: variety description

Pumpkin Candy: photo

Pumpkin is an annual plant, the fruit of which is the leader in size among other vegetables. People are madly in love with this vegetable for its taste, for the many beneficial trace elements it contains, as well as for the abundance of dishes that can be prepared from this orange vegetable.

In total, breeders have bred a large number of pumpkin species. By the way, there are even decorative varieties - not intended for food, but grown for "beauty". In this article we will talk about the most edible pumpkin variety - the "Sweetie" variety.

This variety was bred by domestic breeders and is intended for cultivation in non-black earth regions. "Sweetie" instantly became one of the most popular varieties. All this is due to its wonderful sweet taste - the name of the variety is not at all accidental.

This variety has the highest rating from the Institute of the Canning Industry - and it is worth a lot.

Growing pumpkin Sweetie is found in almost all regions of Russia. The candy is a cold-resistant variety. Of course, in the number of ovaries, and later in the number of fruits, the difference between the growing regions is felt.

For example, in the regions of the middle lane on one stem, the number of fruits reaches 7, or even 8 pieces, while in the northern regions - 3 pieces.

The pumpkin "Sweetie" has a creeping stem, the duration of which can reach one and a half meters. Like many varieties, the pumpkin has a spiny and rough stem. On each shoot, as a rule, an average of 7 fruits are tied.

The foliage of this variety is large - up to 25 cm, has the shape of hearts, green. Yummy's flowers are large. They have a yellow tint and long pedicels.

The growing season from the moment of emergence of the first shoots to the moment of ripening is 115-130 days.

The "Sweetie" variety has a high yield rate. One square meter can be harvested from 3 to 8.5 kg of vegetables. The yield of one bush reaches 25 kg. All this certainly depends on the region and on the climatic conditions.

"Sweetie" is unpretentious to weather conditions, withstands the heat with dignity. But when choosing a site, you need to stop at a bright, sunny area with fertile soil.

Please note that you can find F1 Yum seeds on the seed market. This is a hybrid of our "Sweetie", the described characteristics of these two varieties are generally very similar. But if you want to buy a change exactly "Sweetie", then when buying, be sure to look at the photos.

In the hybrid, the peel, in contrast to the main variety, is gray and denser. Although the producers of the hybrid note the similarity of taste characteristics, many lovers and connoisseurs of Candy note a nutty flavor in its hybrid.

Main characteristics of the fetus

Pumpkin Candy: photo of the variety

Pumpkin Sweetie is a variety with large fruits.And often you can see photographs of just giant fruits weighing 100 kg. Under normal conditions, farmers grow fruits weighing one and a half to three kilograms.

The fruits have a thick skin that is rough to the touch. Even slightly prickly, with pronounced segmentation. At the stage of ripening, the pumpkin acquires a rich, bright orange hue. There are fruits on which the segments emit green stripes.

Yummy's pulp, as mentioned earlier, is very sweet, tasty, and has a bright orange color. The seed core is medium-sized, filled with large seeds, which are also noted for excellent taste.

This type has a universal dining function. As noted, its main unique distinction is its sweet taste. This is due primarily to the sugar content in the pulp - 8%, which allows you to use the vegetable for cooking cereals, mashed potatoes, baked goods.

In addition, it is also used in cooking and other food - snacks, salads, soups, side dishes and other dishes. Also, pay attention to the fact that Candy can be eaten even raw, which is not what many varieties can boast of.

"Candy" is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals. For example, it has a high content of vitamin C, carotene, plus it has plenty of magnesium, phosphorus and sodium. For those who look after their figure and health - this is just a godsend. For 100 grams of pumpkin, its calorie content is only 22 kcal, which is the most dietary vegetable.

This variety has found its application on an industrial scale. The "Sweetie" variety is used to produce baby food. Because it not only stands out for its huge amount of beneficial trace elements and vitamins, but also for its sweet tastes. That allows not to use additional sweeteners in production.

Also, the variety "Sweetie" has proven itself well in livestock farming. Since this variety is unpretentious, it has excellent yield indicators, not to mention its nutritional and beneficial properties. It also has excellent keeping quality, which is why farmers grow it as a feed additive.

This species can be stored on average for about ten months, at an air temperature of + 8 ... + 15 degrees. Also great for transportation. I would like to draw attention to the fact that the longer the pumpkin is stored, the tastier, juicier and sweeter its pulp becomes.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a pumpkin, Candy variety

As stated earlier, merits the variety "Sweetie" has a large number, thanks to which it is very popular among gardeners and farmers:

• sweet, tasty pulp;
• a wide range of vegetable uses;
• rich content of useful microelements and vitamins;
• fast ripening period;
• unpretentiousness to weather conditions - resistant to frost and drought;
• stored for a long time, well transported.

According to gardeners, some of them have identified such limitations, how:

• whimsical to the composition of the soil;
• prefers sunny areas;
• unstable to disease.

Pumpkin Sweetie: outdoor cultivation and care

Pumpkin variety "Sweetie" is unpretentious, and it does not need special cultivation skills and agrotechnical skills. Even the most inexperienced gardener, subject to the general recommendations for cultivation and care, is able to harvest a fruitful, tasty harvest.

Planting a pumpkin "Sweetie"

When choosing a site, stay in a sunny, well-ventilated place. Also pay attention to the fact that the pumpkin "Sweetie" is a large-fruited plant, accordingly, it requires a lot of space. A distance of about a meter and a half should be observed between landings.

The plant reacts positively on fertile soils, preferably on medium loamy or light loamy soils. Before planting, the site is freed from weeds, fertilizers are applied (for example, mullein, compost). Then they dig it up. Also, ash with superphosphate can be added to each well before planting.

You can plant a pumpkin Sweetie both as seedlings and once in open ground. But the choice of this or that method directly depends on the region where the pumpkin is grown. Sweetie. For example, gardeners of the middle lane and southern regions sow it directly into open ground. While the inhabitants of the northern regions use the seedling method.

On the seedlings pumpkin sit down, starting from mid-April - ending at the twentieth of May.

Previously, pumpkin seeds, however, like the seeds of most other crops, need to be sorted and selected healthy, strong planting material. Then disinfect it. To do this, use a solution of potassium permanganate.

Sod land with peat and humus is well suited for germinating seeds. It is recommended to plant the pumpkin in peat pots or in separate containers, since the root system develops very quickly. In the process of picking, it is impossible not to damage it, which in the future will negatively affect the yield.

Seedlings are transplanted into the ground after 20 days.

Planting seeds pumpkin in the open field is carried out from May and continues until June, depending on the region. Before planting, the seeds are left in a damp gauze in a warm room for three days. Strong seeds will begin to sprout and need to be hardened. For this, the planting material is placed in a refrigerator for a couple of days.

After the seeds have passed the preliminary stages, we proceed to planting. They should be planted in the holes. At the same time, put 3 seeds in each. After the shoots appear, we leave the strongest and strongest stem. But those shoots that are less strong, do not pull out, but carefully cut, so as not to disrupt the root system of a healthy plant.

If frosts are expected, then the area with plantings must be covered with a film or covering material.

How to shape a pumpkin Candy f1?

After five bushes appeared on the bushes - their form... For this, the stem is pinched. This is done to give the pumpkin side shoots. They give more fruits. That is, this is done to increase yields.

Around August, all the stems are pinched, since at the moment the formation of the pumpkin Sweetie has already been completed, and there is no sense in further growth of the shoot.

Pumpkin Sweetie: care

Subsequent care for Yummy pumpkin is identical to the course for other vegetables, and includes - watering, loosening, removing weeds and applying fertilizers.

To water the plant needs warm water, keeping the surface of the earth moist. In the flowering phase, the pumpkin needs more moisture, that is, it needs to be watered more often;

After the plant has been planted, no earlier than 10 days later, you can start loosening, weeding and feeding and continue until the leaves close.

As feeding organic fertilizers are ideal. Mullein is most often used for this, but experienced gardeners recommend using bird droppings. From mineral fertilizers, it is recommended to use ammonium nitrate.

The first feeding is carried out when five leaves are formed. Further - at the stage of active development. After that - after every 3 weeks.

Harvesting it is recommended to exercise on a sunny, warm day. We carefully cut the pumpkin, lifting it (in order to eliminate the tension of the stem), while leaving the length of the stalk about 9 cm.

If the pumpkin is not fully ripe, and the first autumn frosts are already making themselves felt, leave the fruits on the ground. However, cover it with straw, plastic wrap or covering material. In order to thereby give the opportunity to ripen completely.

Diseases and pests, how to deal with them

Pumpkin variety Sweetie: photo

Pumpkin of the Sweetie f1 variety, like other "brethren", is not resistant to such sores and insect pests as white and root rot, powdery mildew (leucorrhoea), spider mites and other ailments.

The highest risk of getting sick is in the initial phase of fruiting.

In order to reduce the risk of possible ailments, it is necessary to follow the rules of crop rotation. Keep in mind that the worst predecessors for the site are pumpkins, cucumbers, zucchini. Because they have the same ailments that remain in the earth for more than one year.

The best predecessors are potatoes, onions, and root vegetables.

If the plants are infected or susceptible to pest attacks, it is imperative that the entire crop is harvested upon detection. And all affected areas of plants are necessarily burned.

Remember that preventing diseases and possible pest attacks is always more effective than fighting them. After all, the struggle may not always end happily for your crop.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended to use special drugs that are sold in specialized stores. They should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Conclusion

Pumpkin Candy f1 is not for nothing that it is actively gaining popularity among gardeners. It's not just a pretty vegetable. And this is also a rich harvest, excellent sweet taste, a storehouse of useful microelements and vitamins.

Growing a Pumpkin Sweetie is one joy. This variety is unpretentious and does not require special care. But dishes made from fruits will delight your household until the very spring of next year.

Pumpkin Sweetie - reviews of gardeners who planted the variety

Valentina Shcheglova, 32 years old, Sergiev Posad

The whole family is very fond of "Candy". We have been growing for three years in a row and every year we have a wonderful harvest. Children actively help: they loosen and water and nibble the grass nearby when needed. They are delighted, and even more so. We always cook pumpkin porridge. I never add sugar - it turns out very rich and sweet - you will lick your fingers. We do not pay much attention to her, my kids cope with it with a bang, so I consider her unpretentious.

Igor Vasiliev, 50 years old, Kursk

Pumpkin of the "Sweetie" variety is planted by my wife, her taste, of course, is not for everybody's taste. But in principle, we gobble up both porridge and pies from it “only the fur coat is wrapped up”. It is impossible to follow her especially, since we sit in the country. When we arrive, there is enough work without her. Therefore, we grow pumpkin on the "plant and forget" principle. It grows well without care.

Olga Molchanova, 42 years old, Otradnoye

I love sweet pumpkins - "Candy" is my favorite variety. I don’t grow a lot, I don’t leave it for storage. I eat part of it raw, and part of it I give to my friends. I don't really care for the plant, I'll water it a couple of times a season, loosen it up and weed it out.