Pumpkin Sweet Dumpling [Cucurbita pepo]

The annual pumpkin 'Sweet Dumpling' develops early 300-600g small fruits with a tender and firm flesh. The taste is creamy, mild with a very aromatic chestnut aroma. Ideal for direct sowing or pre-cultivation, pot culture possible, sowing in spring, good for mixed culture, harvesting the fruits.

 Description 
The 'Sweet Dumpling' pumpkin is a special, annual and early climbing pumpkin variety. The robust and ribbed pumpkin produces small fruits weighing 300-600g and has a yellow-whitish-green skin with yellow, tender and firm flesh. The taste is creamy, mild with a very aromatic chestnut aroma. The fruits can be stored for a very long time at cool temperatures. One plant develops 4-6 fruits.

 General information 
Plant family: Cucurbitaceae
Life cycle: Annual
Days to harvest: 90 days
Plant height approx.: 40 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: High
Water requirements: High
Winter hardiness: Up to 3°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, slightly sandy, loamy, humus

pH value: 5.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 2-3 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 20-24 °C
Germination time: 3-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 100x150 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 4-5 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Corn, Marigold, Amaranth, Peas, Bean, Chamomile
Unfavorable mixed culture: Dill, Cucumber, Zucchini

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing is possible at an ambient temperature of at least 12°C. Pre-cultivation in small pots from March to June is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is sheltered from the wind, warm and sunny to partially shaded.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing is possible at an ambient temperature of at least 12°C. Pre-cultivation in small pots from April to May is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is sheltered from the wind, warm and sunny.

 General recommendations 
The best time to germinate pumpkins is when the average night temperature is 12°C. Direct sowing in rows is possible. Pre-cultivation and subsequent planting at the specified planting distance is recommended. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds directly in small pots or in seed trays and plant them from the second pair of leaves after the cotyledons or when the root ball is sufficiently rooted directly in the prepared bed.
Pumpkin 'Sweet Dumpling' ideally prefers a soil that is moist, permeable, nutrient-rich and contains some sand as well as plenty of humus and loam. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
At temperatures below 10°C, the plant reduces its growth. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loosened, nutrient-rich and constantly moist soil is fundamentally important for growth and quality fruit formation. Depending on the condition of the soil, fertilization is recommended after 8 weeks.

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

 Origin 
Country: Germany