Practical
Plants

Cucurbita moschata

Squash · Pumpkin

a vegetable vine or creeper of the Cucurbita genus in the family Cucurbitaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Habit
vine
Life cycle
annual
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.6 (unit unspecified)
Spread
5 (unit unspecified)
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
monoecious
Flower colours
orange, yellow

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo[16].

Edible uses

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Cooked, Dried, Flour
Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Cooked, Salad
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Herb
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Fresh, Cooked, Dried, Oil

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Plant part
Seeds
Product or use
Anthelmintic, Vermifuge
Plant part
Roots
Product or use
Galactogogue

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface, Climber

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Origin is obscure.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 10+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

seed

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse in a rich soil. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot and thin out to the best plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts, giving them cloche or frame protection for at least their first few weeks if you are trying them outdoors.

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a very warm, sunny and sheltered position[1][13][18]. Prefers a pH of 5.5 to 5.9, but tolerates up to 6.8[18]. Moderate rainfall favours growth, but the roots of most cultivars are sensitive to high soil-water levels[10]. The squash is a frost-tender annual plant that is widely cultivated, especially in warm temperate and tropical areas, for its edible fruit[12]. There are very many named varieties widely differing in size shape and taste[12][7]. Some varieties are used in the summer and autumn whilst others are harvested in the autumn and can be stored for several months. Succeeds outdoors most years in Britain[12]. Plants are more suited to warmer climates than Britain[10] and are only really successful in good summers in this country, they do not do well in the north[18]. Most cultivars are day-length neutral[10]. This species only hybridizes with other members of the genus under controlled conditions[18][4]. Grows well with sweetcorn, radishes and nasturtium but dislikes potatoes[6][9]. Squashes and pumpkins can be differentiated from each other by their fruit stalk, it is angular and polygonal in pumpkins but thick, soft and round in squashes[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 32202/01/01

  3. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩

  4. ? The Plantsman. Vol.8. 1986 - 1987. Royal Horticultural Society 32202/01/01

    ↩

  5. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

  6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 32202/01/01

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

  9. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

  12. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 32202/01/01

    ↩

  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 32202/01/01

  15. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

  16. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 32202/01/01 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  17. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

  18. Organ. J. Gourds. Faber 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  19. Fern, Ken www.pfaf.org Plants For a Future (2012/07/28)

    • www.pfaf.org

  20. Fern, Ken Plants For a Future 2012/07/28 www.pfaf.org

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