Cucurbita pepo Snowball F1 – compact, bright white pumpkin for decoration and consumption

Cucurbita pepo Snowball F1 is a striking, compact pumpkin variety that stands out for its unique, bright white color and beautiful round shape. This variety was specifically bred for ornamental use, but is also suitable for consumption. The small, uniform fruits—averaging 800 to 1,000 grams—make Snowball F1 particularly attractive for both ornamental use and premium market sales.

The combination of perfect shape, white skin and compact plant habit makes Snowball F1 a real novelty within the range of decorative pumpkins.

Small, perfectly round and truly white fruits

What makes Snowball F1 instantly recognizable is the snow-white color of its fruits. Unlike many other white pumpkins, whose skin often has a creamy or light green undertone, Snowball F1's fruits are truly bright white. Moreover, the color retains itself for a relatively long time, making the variety ideal for autumn decorations, flower arrangements, arrangements, and in-store displays.

The fruits are:

• uniform of size

• strongly round in shape

• provided with an attractive, beautifully shaped handle

• light and handy, weighing 800–1,000 g

To fully preserve the white color, it's recommended to harvest the fruits promptly and store them in a dark place to prevent yellowing. This will keep them bright white and extra decorative for longer.

Decorative and edible

Although Snowball F1 is primarily grown as a decorative pumpkin, the variety is also suitable for culinary use. The flesh has the characteristic flavor of Cucurbita pepo pumpkins and can be used in:

• pumpkin soup

• roasted pumpkin dishes

• purée

• casseroles

Thanks to its compact fruit size, Snowball F1 is ideal for consumers who like to experiment with pumpkin in the kitchen without having to process large quantities.

New eye-catcher for sales and decoration

Snowball F1 is a popular breed for:

• gift baskets

• autumn and Halloween packages

• farmers markets

• flower shops

• garden centers

• catering and interior decorations

The exceptional uniformity and strong ornamental value make this F1 variety very attractive for professional cultivation and sales. The plant's compact growth also makes it possible to achieve good production in a smaller space.

Ripening time and plant characteristics

Snowball F1 has a ripening time of about 90 days, making it a reasonably early-maturing and reliable choice. The plants grow compactly, taking up less space than many other pumpkin varieties in the Cucurbita pepo species.

For optimal cultivation, 1–2 m² per plant is recommended. This provides sufficient space for air circulation, strong fruit set, and good fruit color development.

Cultivation advice for a successful harvest

Like all C. pepo varieties, Snowball F1 thrives in warm, fertile, and well-drained soil. Sowing can be done in two ways:

• Sow from the end of April, followed by planting out after the last frost.

• Sow directly from early May, when the soil temperature is high enough.

For optimal germination, a temperature of 24–30°C is ideal. The seeds are best:

• placed with the pointed side down

• or laid flat on airy, slightly moist soil

It's important not to keep the seeds too wet. Once the seedlings emerge, they should be moved to a brighter, cooler location to encourage strong, compact growth.