Features of growing pumpkin Smile
Pumpkin Smile was bred in Russia, at the Federal Scientific Center for Vegetable Growing. The variety was included in the state register of the Russian Federation in 1998. For two decades, the vegetable has gained popularity due to its unpretentious care and wonderful taste.
Features of growing pumpkin Smile
Description
This variety belongs to the early maturing - from the appearance of the first shoots to harvest, it takes about 80-90 days.
The culture has a bush shape, which is important in the conditions of small vegetable gardens - the lashes do not take up much space and do not interfere with the growth of other plants.
Features of the variety:
- the shape of a flattened ball;
- orange color;
- large green leaves with a pattern;
- fragrant yellow or orange flowers;
- not very high content of white oval pumpkin seeds;
- fruits weighing from 0.7 to 1 kg, appearing at the stem itself;
- from 7 to 10 vegetables ripen on the bush;
- there are white streaks on the skin.
The inside of the vegetable is also orange. Its pulp is not very juicy, crispy. Taste - sweet with melon aroma and fruity notes. During storage, it does not deteriorate, and even becomes richer.
The peel is quite thin, it peels well. Thanks to its strength, the pumpkin is protected from damage. It also allows you to transport the crop without any problems.
Unlike other varieties, Smile pumpkin is characterized by its small size. This means that the vegetable can be cooked in 1-2 times without thinking about how to preserve its parts.
This species is resistant to disease. But at high humidity, the pumpkin can rot. For prevention, the watering regime is observed, weeds are removed and boards are placed under the vegetables.
Growing varieties
To plant this crop on your site, the garden is cultivated in the fall.
First, choose a place for the vegetable. This pumpkin is a large-fruited vegetable, so it needs warmth and light from the sun. The well-lit side of the garden in the south is best.
The soil is dug to a depth of 25-30 cm, adding organic fertilizers and ash. They check the acidity and structure of the earth - the variety will not grow on heavy clay soil.
If the soil is not very good, additives are added to reduce acidity and achieve looseness. You can use dolomite flour, peat, lime for this. Improves soil and green manures sown after harvest.
Landing
Only healthy seeds are suitable for planting
For sowing, choose healthy, full-weight seeds. They should not have dark spots, damage. Preparation consists in soaking them for a day in warm water or growth stimulants. The seeds are wrapped in a cloth and covered with a foil - this way the moisture will not evaporate.
Planting in this way is done in late May or early summer. The ground temperature at a 10 cm depth should be warmed up to 11-12 ° C.
Cultivation is also possible with the help of seedlings. Sowing begins in the first half of May. Young pumpkin plants do not tolerate planting well - delicate roots break easily. To prevent damage, seeds are planted in peat pots - they can be broken apart without damaging the root system of the crop.
The seedlings are ready for further work approximately 3 weeks after sowing. It has a strong and low stem, on which 3-4 green leaves appear, internodes should be short. Seedlings are planted in early summer, when there is no frost at night, and during the day the soil temperature warms up to 12 ° C at a 5-centimeter depth.
For seedlings or seeds, dig holes 70x70 cm. Put 2 seeds in one hole. If both bushes grow, the weaker one is removed. Planting depth is 5 cm. Part of the seeds or sprouts are placed a little deeper to avoid frost damage. Sprinkle the hole with earth on top and pour it over with heated water.
Care
The planted seedlings or sprouts that have emerged from the seeds are covered if there is a threat of frost. Any material is suitable for this - paper, a bottle, from which the bottom is cut off.
Description of the pumpkin A smile suggests that it is not whimsical to care for. The main thing she needs is regular watering and removal of weeds around the site. A plank or other object made of natural material is placed under the ripening fruits, which protects the pumpkin from rotting on wet soil.
The variety is drought-resistant, but demanding for watering. The powerful roots of the culture extract moisture from the soil well, but the large leaves quickly evaporate it. The vegetable is poured over with warm water. If it is cold, you can lose the entire crop.
To improve the quality of this bush pumpkin, pinch the top growth point. For this, 5 leaves are counted from the first ovary, and the rest is removed. Thanks to this, there is an enhanced formation of shoots, on which the flowers will be of the female type.
After pruning, the vegetable needs top dressing. To do this, use a fermented herbal infusion with the addition of ash. If the pumpkin is planted on well-fertilized soil, there is no need for nutrition.
Harvesting and storage
The pumpkin is removed from the bush as it ripens. Achievements of the maximum size are not expected - this allows new ovaries to actively form and increase the number of fruits. During harvest, the crop is handled with great care so as not to damage the skin.
To ensure long-term storage, the pumpkin is well dried and placed in 1 layer in a box or on a shelf.
Advantages and disadvantages
Growing this vegetable is possible in almost any area. The variety has many advantages over other types:
- good cold resistance, which ensures crops in areas with sudden temperature changes;
- early maturity;
- undemanding care;
- excellent taste;
- melon aroma;
- strong peel that guarantees the integrity of the fruit during transportation;
- the ability to store at room temperature.
The variety has only one drawback - susceptibility to rot at high humidity.