Cucurbita pepo Gumdrop F1 PMT – striking, stable and edible pumpkin

Cucurbita pepo Gumdrop F1 PMT is a unique and striking pumpkin variety that will immediately appeal to both gardeners and hobbyists. This teardrop-shaped pumpkin stands out for its dark orange color, attractive ribs, and firm texture. With an average weight of approximately 5 kg per fruit, Gumdrop F1 offers both decorative appeal and culinary potential, ideal for pumpkin soup, stews, or autumn dishes.

Features of Gumdrop F1 PMT

Gumdrop F1 is a compact variety with a short vine and a consistent fruit set of approximately three fruits per plant. The beautifully shaped stem and homogeneous fruit shape ensure a high-quality display, whether grown in the garden or used as a decorative pumpkin on the table. This variety combines vigorous growth with reliability, ensuring gardeners a consistent and attractive harvest.

Thanks to its PMT resistance, Gumdrop F1 is tolerant to powdery mildew, making the variety suitable for healthy and low-maintenance cultivation, even in humid conditions.

Cultivation and care

Gumdrop F1 PMT grows well in warm, well-drained soil. The variety can be pre-grown and planted out later, or sown directly from early May, depending on the grower's preference.

For optimal germination, a temperature of 24–30°C is recommended. The seeds should be placed pointed side down or flat and should not be kept too moist. After germination, it is advisable to place the young plants in a brighter, cooler location so they can continue to grow healthily and strongly.

For optimal fruit development, a planting distance of approximately 1 square meter per plant is recommended. This provides sufficient space for compact growth and even fruit set.

Ripening and harvest

Gumdrop F1 PMT matures in approximately 95 days, making it a mid-early variety that can be sown in summer and harvested in early autumn. The fruits retain their color and firmness well, allowing them to be kept for a long time after harvest and used for both ornamental and commercial purposes.

Culinary applications

While Gumdrop F1 stands out for its ornamental appearance, this variety is also excellent for consumption. The firm, durable fruits are perfect for pumpkin soup, stews, and other autumn dishes, giving gardeners a versatile pumpkin that's both visually appealing and delicious.

Decorative applications

The teardrop-shaped, dark orange fruits with attractive ribs and a sturdy stem make Gumdrop F1 PMT an excellent choice for Halloween, fall decorations, flower arrangements, and creative garden décor. Thanks to its compact growth and short vines, this variety is ideal for small gardens or container cultivation, where space is limited but appearance remains important.

Health and possible pests

Like many Cucurbita pepo varieties, Gumdrop F1 can be susceptible to slugs, birds, mice, aphids, powdery mildew, and viruses. However, PMT resistance helps minimize powdery mildew problems, allowing gardeners to expect healthy, productive plants with beautiful, stable fruits.