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Cucurbitaceae
Cucurbita pepo( Large-Fruited Mix)
Large-fruited Mix Gourd, Ornamental Gourd
Seed mixtures sold under this name yield a crop of large decorative "gourds" in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Numerous cultivars from several species of Cucurbita (including C. pepo) are typically included.
Most "gourd" seed mixtures contain cultivars of Cucurbita pepo, C. moschata, C. maxima, Lagenaria siceraria, and other members of the squash family (the Cucurbitaceae). These warm-season, trailing or climbing annuals have coarse, raspy, lobed leaves and "unisexual" (male or female) flowers. Individual plants usually produce male blossoms first, followed by the fruit-producing, bee-pollinated female flowers, which are distinguished by bulbous ovaries at the bases.
Plant the seeds in full sun and deep, rich, well-drained loam when the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Time from sowing to harvest is approximately 80 to 100 days, depending on the cultivars in the mix. Regular water is essential, but the plants will not tolerate soggy soil conditions. Where drainage is not optimal, it is advisable to plant them in raised mounds of fertile, porous soil. Train plants on trellises if horizontal garden space is limited. Watch closely for squash bugs, cucumber beetles and vine borers at the base of the stems. Yearly crop rotation and removal of dead plant debris at the end of the growing season can help to minimize insect and disease problems. Harvest fruit before frost when the rinds are hard and fully colored, and the vines have begun to turn brown.
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
3'-30' / 0.9m - 9.1m (20)
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Neutral
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Very Fast
Average Water
Vining/Climbing
Summer, Fall
Showy
White, Yellow, Orange
Yellow, Green, Orange, Gold, Dark Green, Tan
Multi-Color
Green, Dark Green
Yes
No
Single
Coarse
Matte
Container, Edible, Herb / Vegetable, Vine
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