Growing Pumpkin Guitar
Among the large number of varieties of this culture, the Guitar pumpkin is especially popular. The variety is distinguished by its high taste, and the long shelf life of the fruits makes it possible to eat the vegetable even in winter.
Growing Pumpkin Guitar
Characteristics of the variety
The variety has practically no flaws. The graceful shape of the vegetable resembles a guitar, which is why it got its name.
Description of fruits: vegetables are large enough in size, can reach 70 cm in length. Up to 90% of the volume of the product is the pulp, which has a yellow-orange, appetizing color. This variety, due to its sweet, pleasant taste, can be consumed even raw.
You can store pumpkin fruits until the next harvest. The longer they sit, the brighter their taste and aroma become.
You can grow crops not only in the greenhouse, but also in the open field. Due to the fact that the plant belongs to thermophilic varieties, planting pumpkins in warm climatic zones will have the best results.
Beneficial features
Pumpkin variety Guitar belongs to the nutmeg varieties of this vegetable. The characteristic scent of spice gives a special piquancy and uniqueness to the culture. The fruits of the plant, due to their properties, are often called honey: eating the pulp raw, you can feel such a pleasant aftertaste.
Speaking about the beneficial properties of culture, the following characteristics can be noted:
- the fruits of the Spanish butternut squash do not contain cholesterol;
- low calorie content of the product is actively used in the preparation of dietary meals;
- the pulp helps to remove harmful and toxic substances from the body;
- the vegetable has a diuretic effect;
- regular consumption of pumpkin helps to strengthen the immune system;
- due to the specific microelements contained in the fruits of the plant, pumpkin strengthens the cardiovascular system, and also has a beneficial effect on human visual function.
Growing pumpkin outdoors
Guitar pumpkin is grown in greenhouses and greenhouses. In favorable climates, this vegetable variety can also be planted outdoors.
In the latter case, it is recommended to sow already matured seedlings. The Guitar variety is a type of pumpkin vegetable that is characterized by a rather long period of development and maturation.
Sowing rules
Sprouts need frequent watering
Seeds of honey pumpkin are recommended to be planted in mid-spring in separate seedling containers (2-3 seeds in one pot). The first shoots appear after a short time. Before sowing, it is advisable to soak the seeds in slightly warm water. This will help them adapt and sprout faster.
After the appearance of the first shoots, the strongest of them should be selected, and the rest should be removed.
Due to the fact that pumpkin plants do not tolerate transplanting well, special peat containers are often used for sowing seeds.
A good place for seedlings is the south side of the room, which is actively illuminated by the sun's rays. It is important to take into account that the sprouts should be watered often: the soil dries quickly. Additionally, external irrigation of the culture can be carried out using a spray bottle.
Seat selection
For planting crops in open ground, you should choose the most suitable place for this - sunny, protected from drafts. Before placing seedlings in the soil, you need to fertilize it with a compost mixture - fertile soil has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of the plant.
The best time to plant young plants is the end of May, when the threat of frost has passed. At the time of placing the sprouts in open ground, they must have at least 4 true leaves.
Disembarkation
Planting a honey pumpkin Guitar follows some rules:
- there should be a distance of at least 80 cm between the seedling holes - this plant needs a lot of space;
- to get a good harvest, it is recommended to choose the right “neighbors” for the butternut squash. So you will avoid oppression of some vegetables by others, which will significantly increase the productivity of garden crops;
- after placing the seedlings from containers into the ground, it is necessary to moisten the soil;
- at the end of planting, you need to compact the soil and, if necessary, use a covering material.
Care rules
Caring for butternut pumpkin is simple: you need to water on time and monitor the condition of the plant. Too dense foliage or a large number of ovaries gives rise to thinning of the corresponding elements.
The entire period of active growth and fruiting requires the maximum care of the gardener in order to prevent the occurrence of diseases or insect pests.
To obtain a good harvest of high-quality fruits, it is recommended to feed the crop 2 times per season.
In order not to overload the plant with a large number of fruits, it is recommended to pinch it after the formation of 2-3 ovaries on it.
Harvesting and storage
The fruits must be removed carefully.
According to the description, the harvest takes place at the beginning of autumn. It is important to remove vegetables with tails, carefully so as not to damage the delicate skin.
For full ripening, the harvested vegetables are placed in closets and other rooms. The shelf life affects the taste of the vegetable: the longer the pumpkin lies, the tastier it becomes.
During ripening, the peel of the culture hardens, the pulp acquires a bright orange hue and honey taste, and the aroma becomes characteristic nutmeg.
Gardeners reviews
All gardeners who are engaged in the cultivation of Guitar pumpkins are satisfied with the result. At minimal cost, your barns and closets will have a lot of tasty, healthy fruits that can be stored until summer.
Gardeners note that before cultivating pumpkins in the open field, it should be borne in mind that this will require a sufficiently large area. Every year, breeders create more and more varieties of this plant, which are quite suitable even for growing on balconies and loggias.
Pumpkin nutmeg Guitar is a great option for your garden or summer cottage. Its lush foliage will be a decoration of the garden, and everyone will enjoy the honey, fragrant and healthy fruits.