Cucurbita pepo Honey Bear F1 – Mini Acorn Squash for decoration and kitchen

Cucurbita pepo Honey Bear F1 is an absolute novelty from the United States: a charming mini acorn squash that proves its worth both in the kitchen and as a decorative item. Weighing approximately 400 grams, Honey Bear F1 is the perfect compact squash for culinary experiments, as well as for autumn decorations. The dark green, uniformly shaped fruits are suitable for cooking whole or stuffing, for example, in the oven or microwave. This variety combines practicality with an attractive appearance, making it ideal for both amateur gardeners and professional growers.

Features of Honey Bear F1

Honey Bear F1 produces small, green acorn pumpkins weighing about 400 grams, with a beautiful round to slightly pointed shape. The fruits are truly edible and have firm flesh, making them excellent for stuffing, cooking, or using in various dishes. While this mini pumpkin is perfect for cooking, its decorative value is also paramount: Honey Bear F1 is ideal for autumn table settings, flower arrangements, or creative pumpkin projects.

The variety grows as a bush without tendrils, making it compact and easy to maintain. This makes Honey Bear F1 particularly suitable for smaller gardens, balconies, or raised beds where space is limited. A planting distance of 1 square meter per plant is usually sufficient for optimal growth and a bountiful harvest.

Cultivation and care

Honey Bear F1 thrives in warm, well-drained soil. For early results, the variety can be pre-grown and planted out from late April, or sown directly from early May. For optimal germination, a temperature of 24–30°C is ideal. When sowing, place the pointed end of the seed downwards or flat, and do not keep the seed too moist. After germination, it's important to place the young plants in a bright, cooler location to encourage healthy growth and strength.

Honey Bear F1 is non-trailed, meaning the variety requires little support and maintains a compact growth pattern. This also makes it suitable for dense planting and space-efficient cultivation.

Ripening and harvest

A 90-day ripening period makes Honey Bear F1 a mid-early variety. These mini acorn squashes are ready to harvest quickly, allowing you to harvest multiple rounds within a single season. Their compact size and firm texture allow the fruits to keep well, making them ideal for decorative or culinary use during the autumn season.

Culinary applications

Honey Bear F1 is particularly suitable for filling with rice, meat, vegetables, or cheese. The fruits can be cooked entirely in the oven, steamer, or microwave, making them versatile and easy to use. They are also ideal for making soups, stews, or purees. Thanks to their firm flesh, the fruits retain their shape even with short cooking times.

Decorative applications

With their compact size and attractive green color, Honey Bear F1 pumpkins are perfect for fall decorations, flower arrangements, and creative craft projects. Their uniform, small acorn shape makes them excellent for painting, hollowing, or combining into autumn table settings.

Possible pests

Although Honey Bear F1 is robust, the plants can be affected by snails, birds, mice, aphids, powdery mildew, or viral infections. Good soil management, regular monitoring, and preventative measures will help optimize yields and ensure healthy fruit.