The best pumpkin varieties for seeds: features of choice and nuances of growing

Scientists argue which country is the birthplace of the pumpkin. Some say that the culture was first discovered in Latin America, others claim that the pumpkin was originally "seen" in Mexico. What you definitely don't need to argue about is the benefits of the product, in particular, the valuable properties of pumpkin seeds.

They are a whole range of vitamins and minerals. What exactly are pumpkin seeds useful for humans and what varieties of fruits contain the best of them - read on.

Why are pumpkin seeds useful?

Scientists have proven that seeds are much healthier than pulp. This allows them to be used in the preparation of many dishes, as well as for treatment. In order to understand why pumpkin seeds are useful for humans, we will analyze the composition of the product and its beneficial properties.

What are pumpkin seeds made of?

In total, the product contains more than 50 micro and macro elements. Among them, of particular value are:

• amino acids;
• saturated fatty acids;
• pectin;
• phytosterol;
• mineral salts;
• PP vitamins;
• vitamins B, A, C;
• alimentary fiber;
• manganese;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• iron;
• zinc;
• copper;
• selenium;
• chlorine;
• iodine.

The lack of these elements leads the human body to illness and stress. Headaches, nervous tension appear, the work of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted. Plus, the appearance of a person worsens: circles under the eyes, wrinkles, cracks on the lips appear.

Important! 100 g of pumpkin seeds contains 541 kcal. At the same time, fat 45.8 g, protein 24.4 g, carbohydrates 20 g.

Benefits for the body

The product normalizes bowel function. The composition contains fiber, which acts as a kind of "brush" for the intestines. It helps relieve constipation and bloating.

Also, seeds are an excellent medicine for the prevention of diabetes. The fact is that they contain a lot of protein, which helps to normalize blood sugar levels. In addition, the product ensures normal blood clotting.

Dishes with the addition of pumpkin seeds help reduce the risk of hypertension. The effect is achieved due to arginine, which, after entering the body, expands the arteries and blood vessels, improving the blood flow through them.

Also, seeds are advised to be consumed by people who have sleep problems: the amino acids contained in them stimulate the production of the "happiness hormone", which, in turn, has a beneficial effect on sleep.

Important! 100 g of seeds every day fully provide the body's daily need for zinc, potassium, manganese and magnesium.

Also, seeds are good for a person's appearance. Seed oil is actively used in cosmetology. It perfectly removes inflammation on the skin, heals wounds and scratches. On its basis, face creams and lotions are made, which rejuvenate the skin and moisturize it.

In addition, it helps to get rid of split ends and is also an excellent remedy for strengthening the roots.

Interesting.The best pumpkin seed oil is made in Austria. It comes from a special variety Cucurbita pepo var. Styriaca. Its seeds are of an especially large size, they give several times more oil than others. Due to their special color, the oil turns out to be dark green - therefore it is called "black gold".

The best pumpkin varieties for seeds

Some varieties are famous for their tasty and juicy pulp, others for good yields, and others for their unpretentious care. There are also varieties that have the most delicious and healthy seeds. Let's consider them in more detail.

Danka Polka

This popular table variety is prized for its high yields and delicious seeds. Refers to medium early, grown in the open field. Pumpkins are large, one weighs about 3 kg.

One vegetable contains over 500 large white seeds. According to gardeners' reviews, it is clear that the presence of such a number of seeds is one of the main advantages of the variety.

Olga

It is a variety that is often grown not only for personal consumption but also for sale. The pumpkins are small, bright orange. Gardeners get about 4 kg of harvest from 1 square meter. The seeds are greenish, with an olive tint, without skin. Perfect for fresh consumption or after heat treatment.

Gymnosperms

One of the earliest pumpkin varieties, appeared over 60 years ago. The variety ripens in 100-110 days. The yield is good, one bush gives about 10 kg of vegetables. The gymnosperm produces many seeds, which are distinguished by a sweetish taste and thin skin. The variety can be grown everywhere, as it is resistant to different temperatures.

Volzhskaya gray

A productive early ripening variety. The pumpkin has a light gray hue and orange flesh. The variety is unpretentious in care, subject to the rules of agricultural technology, the yield reaches about 7-10 kg per 1 sq.m. The seeds of the Volga sulfur are rich in vitamins E and C, which reduce the body's susceptibility to infectious diseases.

Juno

It is recommended to plant in seedlings. Medium-sized vegetables, demanding on the composition of the soil and dressing. To obtain the best yield, it is recommended to feed the plant with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Superphosphate and ammonium nitrate are recognized as excellent drugs.

The seeds are creamy in color, slight pigmentation is possible. Eating them in food helps to eliminate heavy metals from the body.

Bulgarian

This variety is also called Ladies' nail. The attractive orange-red vegetables grow and are used in many dishes. For example, as an ingredient in pumpkin pie or cheesecake.

The seeds of the Bulgarian are elongated, pointed at the tip, beige. The variety is planted at the end of May. It is necessary to form a plant in 1 or 2 stems, as well as pinching the top.

Ukrainian multiple

The variety is famous for its unpretentious care and good returns. Loves regular, moderate watering. The interval between them should be 7-10 days, the water temperature is at least 20 degrees. It has excellent immunity to disease.

Pumpkins are beautiful, smooth in shape, outwardly reminiscent of a green-yellow watermelon. The pulp is sweet, moderately fleshy. Seeds are white, do not have a pronounced taste.

Interesting.You can make aromatic homemade bread from pumpkin seeds. It is perfect for daily and festive meals. Bread does not require kneading dough, so it is easy to prepare. Seeds are used both as an additive and as a decoration.

Danae

Another interesting variety: rounded large pumpkins of yellow color with bright green stripes. Danae also belongs to gymnosperms, famous for its high content of seeds. They are dark, gray-green in color. There can be more than 400 of them in one pumpkin.

One hundred pound

Reminds of a pumpkin for Halloween. Beautiful, bright orange, large. When growing, it may be necessary to build additional support for the vegetable, since it often grows very heavy. Seeds are white, classical in shape. Regular consumption of pulp and seeds will normalize the production of hormones in your body and help relieve stress.

Sweetie

Small pumpkins are round, slightly pointed towards the tip. The variety is grown in bright, spacious and well-heated garden areas.Candy's seeds are delicious, bright yellow. They make excellent pumpkin seed oil or flour.

How to choose a variety

When choosing a variety, first of all focus on your needs. Determine what you want to get from the future harvest. If juicy pulp is important for you, then pay attention to the varieties Pearl and Pink banana... If the presence of pumpkin seeds plays a key role, then take a look at the pumpkins Gymnosperms and Danka Polka.

Important! Remember that some varieties are only intended for fertile land and warm climates. For example, the varieties Vita or Zolotaya Pear will give the best harvest in the south of the country, and the varieties Bolgarka and Ulybka - in the Urals and Siberia.

Also pay attention to whether the variety is picky about care. There are pumpkins for the cultivation of which it is not necessary to apply mineral and organic fertilizers.

For example, the Golospernaya variety shows good results with minimal maintenance. This is especially true for those gardeners who are busy at work and cannot devote much time to caring for the plant.

So, when choosing a pumpkin variety, be guided by the following criteria:

• what do you want to get from the harvest;
• how much time will you spend growing;
• what region do you live in;
• how you plan to use the pumpkin;
• shelf life of the vegetable;
• his immunity to disease.

Features of growing pumpkin for seeds

Prepare the correct planting material first. To do this, the purchased seeds must be disinfected. They do this by warming up in the sun: spread the seeds for a week on the street or balcony - the sun's rays will destroy dangerous microbes on the surface of the seeds. Also, the procedure will increase the overall germination of the plant.

It is best to grow pumpkin for seeds in a seedling way. To do this, plant the seeds in flower pots, after preparing the soil and container. Further, the seedlings should be properly looked after: water, fertilize and maintain the temperature regime.

Seedlings are planted in clean, prepared beds. It is better that the site be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate before this.

Important! Excellent predecessors for planting pumpkins - legumes, onions or garlic, as well as cauliflower and cabbage. Do not plant the crop after zucchini or cucumbers.

For watering, experienced farmers advise using a drip system. It ensures that water gets directly under the root, bypassing the stem. Pumpkin does not like a lot of water, so it is advised to water it every 7-10 days. Along with watering, apply organic and mineral fertilizers.

For example, "Kornevin" or "Solution" is an excellent tool for strengthening the immunity of a plant. From organic preparations, urea, liquid manure, ash solution, yeast are recommended.

Also, don't forget to take care of your whips. They often grow long and powerful. It is necessary to unravel them and carefully lay them on the ground, sprinkling them with earth on top. If this is not done, they will slow down the development of the bush and block the sun.

Growing pumpkin for seeds as a business

As pumpkin seeds have a lot of useful properties, many gardeners try to grow them not only for themselves, but also for sale. Thus, your favorite hobby turns into a profitable business.

In order for your beds to generate income, you should pay attention to the following important nuances:

• costs for the purchase of planting material;
• preparation of the site, seeds and equipment;
• the cost of caring for the culture (both physical and material);
• collection, washing and drying of the crop;
• sale to the consumer.

Important! If you want to grow seeds on an industrial scale, then do not forget about such expenses as renting a field, equipment, labor and purchasing fertilizers.

To a large extent, the success of an enterprise depends on the correctly selected variety. For example, high-yielding varieties yield about two tons of seeds per hectare. These pumpkins include Ukrainian multifruit, Bulgarian and Kherson watermelon. If you choose Pancake varieties, then they are more expensive, but at the same time their yield is much lower. Only about 800 kg of crops are harvested from 1 hectare.

Conclusion

Pumpkin is rich in not only juicy pulp, but also healthy seeds. Their use in food helps to avoid many diseases, and is also an excellent prevention of pathologies. It is better to peel pumpkin seeds with your hands to avoid damage to the tooth enamel and the ingress of bacteria into the oral cavity. The product is used in soups, side dishes and salads.

If you want to grow pumpkin for seeds, pay attention to the following varieties: Danka Polka, Bulgarian, Gossemennaya. They will give the best harvest, without requiring daily maintenance.