Approximately 3-5 seeds per gram
Cucurbita maxima
Lot# PU31514
An heirloom from France; also sold as ‘Rouge Vif d’Etampes’, Cinderella Pumpkin has a vivid, red-orange, hard exterior, is deeply ridged with characteristic lobes, and has a softly flattened top. They can weigh as much as 11-16 kg (25-35 lb). Each plant sends out 3 m (10') of trailing vines with up to 5-6 pumpkins on each vine as large as 30-40 cm (12-16”) across. This pumpkin's rich, thick flesh is moist and custard-like with a sweet flavor and is prized for its sweet flavor and creamy texture making it ideal for use in pies, breads, cookies and cakes.
Growing Instructions:
-
Start indoors from late April, or direct sow outside in May, when the last chance of frost has passed in your area. Sow the seeds 2 cm (1”) deep, and maintain temperature around 18°C (65°F). The soil temperature should be around 15°C (60°F). Sow 2-3 seeds per hill, or in small pots, and keep the strongest seedling or keep all germinated seeds and plant together in a hill. Germination takes about 7-14 days, depending on the soil temperature. Transplant the plants into bigger pots when large enough to handle and keep them inside the greenhouse. Gradually acclimatize the plants before planting outside. Space hills or transplants 1.2 m (4’) between the plants. If you have more space, you can increase distance from plants. Pumpkin plants prefer sunny locations and very rich soil.
- Soil Conditions: Well worked rich, loose well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8.
- Planting Depth: Sow Pumpkin seeds 2 cm (1”) deep.
- Germination: 7-14 days.
-
Height at Maturity: 45-61 cm (18-24") tall. Spread: 122 cm (4’).
- Days to Maturity: 90-110 days for maturity from direct sow.
-
Watering: 2.5 cm (1") of water a week ensures good growth, whether pumpkins are grown in single or wide rows. The amount of rain that falls during the week affects how much you should water your garden. Spooky pumpkin only requires moderate watering, do not over water. The trick is to only water pumpkins when they require it. Check the soil moisture levels with a trowel or a hoe and as long as you can see the moisture and your plant looks happy, you do not need to water. It is important to not get water on any of the leaves. Use drip irrigation if available, and water in the morning instead of late in the evening. This simple technique will help prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
- Sun/Shade: Full Sun
-
Spacing after Thinning: Thinning is generally not required for 2-3 plants per hill, but you can thin to the strongest plant every 1.2 m (4’) of hill. Rows should be planted 1.5-2.5 m (5-8’) apart.
