Cucurbita pepo Pyza – Compact spaghetti squash with uniform fruits and fast ripening

Cucurbita pepo Pyza is a compact and user-friendly spaghetti squash, ideal for gardeners looking for a reliable, high-yielding, and easy-to-grow variety. Pyza produces light yellow, egg-shaped fruits weighing approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs), a size convenient for both amateur chefs and commercial sales. The flesh separates into characteristic spaghetti-like strands when cooked, making this variety a valuable choice for healthy and versatile dishes.

This variety grows bushy and compact, with short tendrils. This makes Pyza particularly suitable for smaller gardens, raised beds, or cultivation systems where efficient use of space is paramount. With a maturation time of 80–85 days, Pyza is also among the relatively early spaghetti squash varieties, allowing for a quick harvest.

Light yellow, egg-shaped fruits with excellent culinary properties

Spaghetti squash are known for their unique flesh texture, and Pyza is no exception. The fruits are light yellow, egg-shaped, and evenly sized, ideal for individual portions or preparing complete meals.

After cooking, the flesh transforms into loose threads similar in texture and use to pasta. This makes Pyza perfect for:

• low-carb dishes

• vegetarian and vegan meals

• casseroles

• stuffed pumpkin creations

• modern cuisine variations of traditional pasta dishes

In addition, spaghetti squash can also be used in many other pumpkin recipes, such as soups, gratins or grilled dishes.

Compact and bushy growth: ideal for small gardens

While many pumpkin varieties are characterized by long vines that can stretch for meters, Pyza remains remarkably compact. The plant grows bushy, with short vines that are easy to train and maintain. This makes this variety an excellent choice for:

• compact vegetable gardens

• raised beds

• intensive cultivation

• companion planting

• hobby gardeners with limited space

Despite the limited growing space, fruit set remains high and uniform, making Pyza a very efficient variety.

Growing instructions for Pyza

Sowing

• Pre-sowing: from the end of April in pots indoors or in a greenhouse.

• Sow directly outdoors: from early May as soon as the soil has warmed up sufficiently.

• Optimal germination temperature: 24–30 °C for rapid and reliable emergence.

• Insert seeds with the pointed side down or lay them flat.

• Keep the soil slightly moist – not wet – to prevent rot and mold formation.

After germination, the seedlings should be moved to a brighter, cooler location so that the plants remain firm and do not bolt.

Planting out

C. pepo thrives best in warm, sunny locations with airy, well-drained soil.
For Pyza, we recommend a planting distance of 1–2 m² per plant, depending on the desired growing space and garden layout.

Fast maturation and high reliability

With a maturation time of just 80–85 days, Pyza is one of the faster spaghetti squash varieties. This makes the variety particularly suitable for cooler climates or gardeners who want an early harvest. Its compact growth also makes for a manageable plant that's easy to maintain throughout the season.

Conclusion

Cucurbita pepo Pyza is an ideal variety for anyone looking for a compact, reliable, and culinary-versatile spaghetti squash. The light yellow, egg-shaped fruits, weighing approximately 1.5 kg, are perfect for healthy cooking projects, while the bushy growth and fast ripening make them easy to grow. This makes Pyza an excellent choice for both the modern hobby garden and small-scale commercial production.