Pumpkin: Growing and Care

Pumpkin is a classic vegetable in the garden of any gardener. On private plots, summer residents are cultivating dense and large-bodied fruits.

Ogorodniki is experimenting and starting to grow crops that did not grow in our region before. So to us came and figovlistaya pumpkin - malorasprostranenny in the territory of Russia, but such a useful product.

Botanical certificate of the plant

Another name for fruits of this kind is phycephaly. Pumpkin figolistna is rich in useful vitamins and minerals, whence its positive properties. It is widely used in cooking, it is used in folk medicine.

A seedling, or figolistna, a pumpkin belongs to the family of pumpkin. This is a perennial plant. The leaves are outwardly similar to the fig leaves: large and petiolate, the lower slightly emarginate, the upper ones - heart-shaped. Hence the name of the crop. Leaves differ not only in unusual shape, but also in color - the green background of the leaf is covered with small light spots, giving the plant a decorative and attractive appearance.

Stems - pentahedral, capable of reaching 25 cm in length. Flowers do not differ from any plant of the pumpkin family, they are painted in a yellowish-orange color.

Fruits of pumpkin figolistnoy with its extravagant design are similar in appearance to watermelons, oblong, often curved shape. Flesh white and juicy, moderate sweetness. Inside the fruit safely store black seeds.

Figolistnaya pumpkin is resistant to a number of pathogenic soil fungi. Ogorodniki have learned to plant a number of other cultures sensitive to radical decay to this species. Crossed with other species of pumpkin is not.

Useful properties of culture

The pine-seed pumpkin (figolistna) is actively used not only in cooking, but also in folk medicine for medicinal purposes. From the ripened fruits prepare delicious and healthy dishes. The pulp can be preserved, jam is cooked, stewed, marinated, fried, salted, added to fresh salads.

Application in folk medicine

In folk medicine phylogenetic pumpkin is used to prevent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, pancreas. It is useful in diseases associated with kidney, liver, gallbladder problems. "Phycephaly" promotes the production of insulin, the excretion of cholesterol from the body.

Pumpkin leaves are rich in useful trace elements and are distinguished by the content of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iron. A complex of B vitamins is found in large quantities in fruits and seeds. Black seeds are used for arthritis, rheumatism. Figolistnaya pumpkin has a positive effect on the skin in case of skin burns, psoriasis, other skin diseases through the use of pulp in the composition of masks and compresses.

Culture is actively used in the treatment of gout and obesity, has a good anthelmonic effect.

Pumpkin figolistna as a dietary supplement to the diet

As a dietary supplement, a pumpkin seedling is introduced into the diet of those suffering from gastritis, ulcers, colitis. Use in the form of fees, broths, for the preparation of which use the root system, stems, leaves, flesh and seeds.

Features of cultivation of figolist pumpkin from seeds

Agrotechnics of cultivation of "fitsifolii" (figolistnoy gourd) is not much different from growing the rest of this family. Of the characteristics of care to pay attention to drainage and irrigation systems, the degree of illumination. To the soil pumpkin unpretentious - this is their distinctive feature.

Growing pumpkin from seeds

Before planting seeds in the ground they are placed in water at room temperature for 72 hours. Pumpkin, unlike other congeners, has frost resistance and can withstand frosts up to -3 ° C. Seed germination occurs while maintaining the temperature regime within 10-12 degrees. At this temperature, pumpkin seeds of figolist are best accepted in the soil.

For planting, small pits (small holes) are made. They are fertilized by adding 3-5 kg of humus and 1.5 cups of ash per plot. The mixture added to each well is mixed with the soil and the sowing is started: 2-3 seeds are placed in the pit, to a depth of 5 cm. Each of the wells is mulled with humus, peat or sawdust. This will help prevent the formation of a crust from above and a few degrees will raise the thermal regime inside the fossa, which will contribute to an even better germination of the seeds.

Good growth and development of young pumpkins are observed at a temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius. From the moment of sowing to the appearance of the first shoots, approximately 14 days pass.

Selection of a place for cultivation

Suitable is a windless area with a large area. Well suited soil where last year grown potatoes, cabbage or onions. On the areas where other vegetables were cultivated, the growth of pumpkin figolistnoy is undesirable.

Cultivation of seedlings of "phycephaly"

To obtain early fruits of pumpkin, you can not only sow seeds, but also grow seedlings. To do this, prepare a nutrient mixture with such a component composition: turf earth + peat + humus. Soil with high acidity must be lime.

In small containers, pots or containers, seeds are sown for 14-21 days prior to presumed planting in open ground. The ground in the pots is pre-moistened well. After germination of seeds, the shoots are laid down with leaves and covered with a nutrient mixture.

After the appearance of the first shoots, the daytime temperature is reduced to +17, and the night time to +13 degrees Celsius. Carry out intensive ventilation.

The soil in which the seedlings are located is systematically moistened, producing rare moderate watering. Before planting seedlings in the ground, it is fed with manure, urea or a weak solution of the mullein.

On the open seedlings seedlings pumpkin planted after the last frost. This procedure can be carried out and two weeks earlier, but cover the shoots on top of the film. Young pumpkin sprouts are placed in the ground to a depth of about 13 cm, then watered.

On sites with poor and fresh soil, plants can be placed deeper, centimeters by 15, adding soil mixture, mineral fertilizer and organic additive. Plants planted at a distance of 1 meter from each other.

Harvesting pumpkin gourd harvest

Fruits are collected in the autumn, when the foliage from the trees is already opal. Filling and ripening of fruits can be accelerated by pinching each of the growth points and sprinkling it with soil. Fruits are stored in a cool place. Term of savings - up to 4 months.

Cultivating such an agricultural crop as the pumpkin phyla, photo of which is presented in the article, observe the above rules for the care of the plant. Then at the end of the season you will be able to brag a select crop of fruits and stock up a useful product for the whole winter.