great pumpkin
Also known as: autumn squash; winter squash
An annual which scrambles along the ground and over low shrubs, reaching 5m if unchecked. It has large green palmate leaves and yellow flowers. These develop into a huge range of fruit shape, colour and skin texture. A great many named cultivars are available, some of which do not spread but all are edible
Scientific classification
- Species
- great pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)
- Genus
- Cucurbita
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- If crop is bitter, don't eat. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Toxicity
- Fruit Edible · Annual Biennial
- Plant type
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Trailing
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn
- Season of interest
- Full sun
- Sunlight
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- Ideal temperature
great pumpkin pictures
Distribution of great pumpkin
Distribution map
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Culture
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Toxicity
If crop is bitter, don't eat. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Quick identification of great pumpkin
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great pumpkin care guide
- Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings
- Watering
- Full sun
- Sunlight
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- Ideal temperature
Watering
Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings
Fertilizing
FertilizingTomato or pepper feed every one to two weeks in fruiting season
Pruning
PruningNo pruning required
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Growing
GrowingGrow in rich, fertile, well drained soil in full sun. For more advice see pumpkin cultivation
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and snails
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