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Cucurbitaceae
CUCURBITA pepo 'Astia'
Astia Zucchini, Zucchini
The flavorful, dark green fruits of this bush zucchini are borne on compact plants that mature at 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) tall and wide. The long-stalked, gray-green, silver-blotched leaves arise from a stubby central "stalk." The flowers and the ensuing cylindrical fruits are produced at the bases of the leaves. Crisp and mild-flavored, the fruits are excellent sautéed, baked, or steamed. They can also be sliced into salads. Fruits are best at about 5-inches-long (13 cm). This French variety grows from seed to first picking in about 50 days, and continues to produce all growing season if regularly harvested.
Zucchini, like many summer squash, are derived from the New World species Cucurbita pepo. These warm season, annual vines are monoecious, meaning single plants bear separate male and female flowers. The large, yellow, funnel shaped male blossoms are generally produced first, followed by the fruit-producing female flowers, which are distinguished by bulbous ovaries at the bases. Following pollination by bees, these develop into fruits, which are often obscured by the plant’s large, coarse, heart-shaped or deeply lobed foliage.
Plant summer squash in full sun and deep, rich, well-drained loam when the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Regular water is essential, but the plants will not tolerate soggy conditions or wet feet. Where drainage is not optimal, it is advisable to plant them in raised mounds of fertile, porous soil. Compact varieties such as 'Astia' can also be grown in large containers. Watch closely for squash bugs, cucumber beetles and vine borers at the base of the stems. Older plants are often susceptible to powdery mildew. Yearly crop rotation and removal of dead plant debris at the end of the growing season can help to minimize insect and disease problems.
12 - 1
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
20"-30" / 50.8cm - 76.2cm
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Indeterminate
North America, Mexico, Central America
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam
Very Fast
Average Water
Clump-Forming
Summer, Fall
Showy
Yellow, Gold
Dark Green
Green, Dark Green, Silver
Variegated
Yes
No
Single
Coarse
Matte
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Mixed Border
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