Large, prolific pumpkin plants with sturdy stems and showy, edible, or decorative fruits. Ideal for vegetable gardens, garden borders, and autumn decorations.
The Cucurbita maxima at Easyseeds.eu includes robust winter squashes with a rich flavor, impressive shapes, and optimal storage potential. These varieties are popular with both amateur gardeners and professional growers for their gardens, kitchens, and decorative uses.
Size & diversity : From medium sized pumpkins like Bylinka (~2 kg) to giant varieties like Wyatt's Wonder , which normally reach 30-40 kg and in good years even >50 kg.
Shape & Colour : Varieties such as Golden Pumpkin (light red/orange, uniform fruit shape) and Bleu de Hongrie (grey-blue skin with contrast between skin and flesh) offer both culinary and aesthetic value.
Flavor & Use : Many varieties are suitable for cooking, pureeing, baking, or making soup. The tough skins of varieties like Zora F1 and Orange Summer F1 often don't even need to be removed.
Storage : Many varieties keep well into spring, provided they are harvested when the skin is fully cured. For example, Bylinka can be stored until around March.
Germination & Sowing : Sow seeds from late April or direct sow in early May. Optimal germination temperatures are around 24-30°C . Do not keep the seeds too wet; after germination, provide sufficient light and moderate warmth.
Location & soil : Warm, well-drained soil with sufficient fertility. A sunny location is preferred.
Space requirements : Vines or trailing plants often require 1-4 m² per plant, depending on the variety. Giant pumpkins, such as Atlantic Giant, require at least 10 m², ideally 20-25 m².
Maturation time : Most varieties need approximately 90-110 days to harvest; giant varieties such as Atlantic Giant take a longer period (approximately 125 days).
Wide range : Varieties vary from decorative-aesthetic (Alladin's Turban) to functional culinary or giant show material (Wyatt's Wonder, Atlantic Giant).
Quality & uniformity : Many varieties have been selected for yield, uniformity of shape and robustness against climate and diseases.
Clear cultivation advice : Each variety comes with information on planting distance, growth habit, sowing tips, possible pests (snails, mildew, viruses) and storage options.
Major types and well-known varieties:
Hubbard squash: These squashes are known for their hard, puckered skin, which is often grayish-blue, green, or orange. The flesh is sweet and orange. Well-known varieties include the 'Boston Marrow' and the 'Blue Hubbard'.
Buttercup squash: This type is characterized by its turban-like shape and sweet, firm flesh. An example is the 'Buttercup'.
Kabocha: A Japanese pumpkin with an exceptionally sweet flavor. The flesh has a velvety texture, similar to a sweet potato. Varieties such as 'Uchiki Kuri' (also known as Red Kuri) fall into this type.
Banana squash: These squash have an elongated, banana-like shape. They can grow very large and have a mildly sweet flavor.
Giant pumpkins: These varieties are bred specifically for competitions and can reach extreme weights. Well-known cultivars include the 'Atlantic Giant' and 'Big Max'.
Turban pumpkin: These pumpkins, also called Turkish caps, have a distinctive turban-like shape. They are also good for eating.
Heirloom varieties:
'Marina di Chioggia' : An Italian pumpkin with knobby, gray-green skin and sweet, flavorful flesh.
'Rouge Vif d'Etampes' : A red, flat, and ribbed pumpkin sometimes called the "Cinderella pumpkin."
Yes, all giant pumpkins weighing over 140 kilos belong to this species.
Cucurbita maxima needs a sheltered spot in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Cucurbita needs a sheltered spot in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
It needs regular watering, especially during fruiting. Water at the roots to keep the leaves dry and prevent powdery mildew.
Common diseases include powdery mildew, root rot, and various viral diseases.
Snails love young seedlings. Later in the season, aphids and spider mites can also pose a problem.
Ensure good air circulation, water at the base of the plant, and cultivate healthy soil.
