Pumpkin Hokkaido Red Kuri [Cucurbita maxima]

The Hokkaido pumpkin 'Red Kuri' is a traditional, annual, old pumpkin variety and was bred in 1945 in the town of Utsugi in Japan. Historically and culturally, the Portuguese brought the plant species in the 16th Century to Japan, from which this variety arose. The 'Red Kuri' forms 1-2 kg heavy, round and orange to red fruit and has an orange-yellow flesh. The taste of the fruit is similar to chestnuts, is mild, nutty, sweet and can be prepared raw or cooked in cream soup with their skin or baked in the oven. One plant forms 3-5 pumpkins. The fruits have a very long shelf life at cool temperatures.

General information
Plant family: Cucurbitaceae
Life Cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 150 days
Plant height approx.: 50 cm
Root Type: Deep Root
Nutrient requirements: Strong Eaters
Water Requirements: High
Winter hardiness: Up to 3 °C
Location: Sunny to partially shaded
Floor: Permeable, moist, slightly loamy, humus

PH: 5.5 to 7.5

Sowing and planting information
Germ Type: Dark germ
Seed Depth: 2-3 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 20-24 °C
Germination time: 3-10 days
Planting, row spacing: 150x200 cm

Optimal mixed culture: Corn, marigold, amaranth, peas, bean, chamomile
Unfavorable mixed culture: Dill, cucumber, zucchini

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
From March onwards, sow directly into the open air at an ambient temperature of at least 15 ° C.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Sow into the frost-free open air in mid-May immediately after the ice saints. We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from April to June.

General
The best time to germinate pumpkin is at an average night temperature of 15 °C.
Pumpkin is frost-sensitive, heat-loving and prefers a partially shaded location in subtropical climates and a sunny location in temperate climates, with sufficient water and nutrient-rich, humous and loamy soil. Prepare the soil for pumpkin with deposited animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
Sufficient and uniform irrigation is necessary and has a positive effect on the quality of the fruit. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and well-drained soil, an additional incorporation of biochar and primeval rock flour is recommended.

Type of propagation
Spread occurs via seeds.

Care Plants
The bed in the pumpkin should never dry out completely, regular watering is necessary to keep the growth of the plants stable. M It animal manure prepared beds and planting in mixed culture, replaces additional fertilization.

Germination ability of seeds: 4-5 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Cucurbita maxima
English Names: Pumpkin
German names: Kürbis, Gartenkürbis
Portuguese names: Abóbora
Spanish Names: Calabaza
French names: Citrouille, Potiron