Hokkaido pumpkins can easily be planted in the garden under certain conditions. Important here are the location and the soil conditions.
The low-calorie and vitamin-rich Hokkaido pumpkin is known as a delicious oven vegetable and is often used for a delicious pumpkin soup because of its mild taste. The hallmark of Hokkaido, with the sonorous botanical name Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ssp. maxima convar. maxima 'Red Kuri' is its bright orange color, but there is also a green variant of the Hokkaido pumpkin. The great thing is that the pumpkin can even be grown in your own garden. In order for this to succeed, however, you must observe a few important points.Planting Hokkaido pumpkins - bought seeds are best
In order to plant the Hokkaido Squash, seeds are required. The seeds that can be bought in specialist shops offer you the best opportunity to harvest a large pumpkin. You can also make the seeds yourself from dried kernels. However, the resulting pumpkins rarely reach a significant size. But the taste is often much more aromatic.
Planting Hokkaido pumpkins - when is the best time?
The sowing should take place at the end of May, since the Hokkaido pumpkin does not tolerate any frost and could be damaged by the ice saints. The end of May is also a good time for sowing because the hours of sunshine and thus the daily temperatures are slowly increasing and the seed germinates well.
» Tip: If you want to start sowing earlier, you can also sow the seeds in the flower pot on the windowsill. The sowing time is then in April. You can plant the pumpkin outdoors at the end of May.
Location and soil conditions for the Hokkaido pumpkin
It is important that you choose a location that is as bright as possible. Without light, large fruits do not form, since the plant's strength then mainly goes into the leaves.
To grow well, the Hokkaido pumpkin needs soil rich in minerals. Substrate with a large proportion of humus or compost are perfect. If none of these options are available to you, consider the floorprepare in advance with a fertilizer containing minerals. Alternatively, you can also use horn shavings or blue grain. The soil should also always be kept evenly moist.
» Tip: If you have compost in your garden, you can put the seeds directly on the compost. The pumpkin not only finds the best conditions here, the tendrils also hide the actual compost.
How to sow successfully
Once you have found a suitable location, stick the pumpkin seeds individually, about one centimeter deep into the ground and then cover them with about 1 cm of soil. Then water consistently, making sure the soil stays moist at all times. The seed will now take about seven days to germinate.
➢ Tip: You don't need to hold the Hokkaido pumpkin alone. You can easily grow it among cucumbers or zucchini.
» Note: It usually takes sixty days for the first flowers to form. The pollen from the male flowers must get onto the female flowers, otherwise no gourds will form. If your Hokkaido pumpkin develops extremely large leaves, simply cut them off. The more large leaves there are, the less strength the plant has to sprout the fruit.
Proper care for Hokkaido pumpkins
In order to be able to harvest a magnificent pumpkin in autumn, you have to invest a little in the care. Protection against snails is particularly important. Invest in a snail fence or try home remedies like beer and sharp stones, otherwise the snails will start digging into the leaves.
Facts about the Hokkaido pumpkin
Where does the Hokkaido pumpkin originally come from?
The Hokkaido pumpkin originally comes from Japan, more precisely from the island of Hokkaidō and was created there at the end of the 19th century from a breeding of the rice pumpkin.
How he althy is Hokkaido pumpkin?
The Hokkaido pumpkin has only about 67 kcal and 0.6 g of fat per 100 g and is therefore perfect for a low-carb diet. In addition, the pumpkin is an important source of vitamins and minerals (beta carotene, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron). It also keeps you full for longer, protects our cells, is said to improve vision and help against high blood pressure.
Can you eat the skin of the Hokkaido pumpkin?
Yes, the pumpkin does not have to be peeled. Whether you're baking it in the oven, making it into a soup, or making a delicious chili con pumpkin, you can use the peel of theEat Hokkaido pumpkin.
Can you freeze Hokkaido pumpkin?
Yes, it is possible, but the Hokkaido pumpkin should be fresh and raw. Cut the squash in half, cut off the ends and peel. Scrape out the flesh and seeds and cut the rest into small pieces. Then put everything in a freezer bag and freeze.