Cucurbita pepo Spyro F1 PMT – compact, colorful ornamental pumpkin for Halloween decoration

Cucurbita pepo Spyro F1 PMT is a striking, compact ornamental pumpkin that immediately draws attention with its beautiful colors and unique shape. This F1 hybrid variety is perfect for decorative purposes, such as Halloween arrangements, seasonal displays, and creative garden decorations. Although Spyro F1 is not suitable for consumption, it offers high ornamental value, robust growth, and an excellent yield per plant.

In the United States, this variety is known as Jack Sprat, where it is popular as a decorative mini pumpkin for fall celebrations.

Small, colorful and attractively shaped fruits

Spyro F1 produces small, decorative pumpkins weighing approximately 1.2 kilograms (2.6 lbs). The fruits are bushy and compact, with a striking appearance that makes them ideal for Halloween decorations, table decorations, or as part of flower arrangements.

The properties of the fruits are:

• compact and uniform

• attractively shaped and colorful

• sturdy and durable

• purely decorative, not suitable for the kitchen

Their handy size and striking shape make the fruits easy to incorporate into creative decorations and presentations.

Bushy, compact plant with high productivity

Spyro F1 is a bushy and compact variety, which means it takes up little space. Despite its compact structure, the plant produces a high yield, making it possible to produce large numbers of ornamental pumpkins in limited spaces. These characteristics make Spyro F1 ideal for:

• small vegetable gardens

• intensive cultivation in beds or rows

• commercial sale of decorative mini pumpkins

• hobby gardeners who want to combine harvesting with limited space

The compact, bushy growth pattern also promotes efficient air circulation around the plants, which limits disease susceptibility.

Decorative application – ideal for Halloween

Spyro F1 is particularly popular as a Halloween pumpkin. The small, colorful fruits are perfect for:

• table decoration

• autumn and seasonal packages

• children's activities and pumpkin projects

• shop presentations and market stalls

The high ornamental value and compact shape make the variety less suitable for use in the kitchen, but very attractive for decorative purposes.

Maturation period of 95 days – reliable harvest

With a ripening time of approximately 95 days, Spyro F1 is a mid-season Cucurbita pepo variety. This ensures a predictable harvest, allowing growers to plan accordingly, adapting to the season and market periods, such as Halloween or autumn markets.

Cultivation advice for successful growth

Spyro F1 grows best in warm, well-drained, and fertile soil. Cultivation can be started in two ways:

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

• Sow directly from early May, as soon as the soil is sufficiently warm.

For optimal germination, a temperature of 24–30°C is ideal. Sow the seeds pointed side down or flat and keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet.

After germination, the young plants should be placed in a brighter, cooler location to promote compact, strong growth.

Planting distance and space requirements

Because Spyro F1 is a bushy, compact variety, it requires relatively little space. For optimal development and fruit set, approximately 1 m² per plant is recommended. This provides sufficient light, air circulation, and nutrient space for a healthy, productive plant.