Orange-red Hokkaido pumpkin with nutty flavor and high content of vitamins and fiber
All over the world, annual festivals are held in honor of this vegetable, and its composition is not inferior to the most useful products. Pumpkin is a unique culture that is especially common among those who monitor their nutrition and health.
Variety of varieties Surprisingly, each variety has unique qualities. The article will focus on the wonderful Hokkaido pumpkin variety, which has an original appearance and exquisite taste.
The content of the article
Description of Hokkaido pumpkin variety
An early ripe variety, the first harvest is obtained after 3-3.5 months from the moment of planting. The vegetables are perfectly stored, which allows you to enjoy tasty and juicy pumpkins even 6-12 months after harvest. At the same time, it has a thin skin, it is often eaten together with the pulp.
Interesting! In Japan, the name of the Hokkaido variety sounds like Hokkaido pumpkin, in France it is Chestnut Pumpkin, and in England the variety is called Winter. In all countries, the melon culture attracts the attention of farmers with its interesting appearance.
Distinctive features
The variety feels great in central Russia, where it is grown in open field conditions. Bushes are compact, medium in size, have dark green foliage. Hokkaido is a very unpretentious variety, this is another reason why farmers love it so much. Differs in persistent immunity to weather and disease.
Characteristics of vegetables and yield
Pumpkin weight varies from 1 to 3 kg. The shape is different, from round to pear-shaped. Hokkaido is both bright red and gray-green. The most common pumpkins are yellow or rich orange. It is noteworthy that green vegetables are in no way inferior in taste to their more "beautiful" counterparts.
The pulp of the vegetable is tender, with a slight nutty or chestnut flavor. Actively used in the preparation of many dishes.
The structure is dense, not watery. Depending on the region of cultivation, farmers receive from 10 to 18 kg of ripe vegetables per 1 sq. M.
How to grow
Hokkaido prefers the seedling method. So it is easier for a vegetable to take root in the ground and show itself from its best side, giving gardeners a rich harvest. However, if you live in the south of the country, where the soil is fertile and the climate is favorable, then try planting the culture in open ground.
Planting with seeds
Planting with seeds involves planting directly into the ground, without preparing seedlings. However, this does not mean that the seeds do not need pretreatment.
In order for the seedless method to give its results, we recommend:
- Disinfect seed... Place the seeds on an open deck or windowsill for 5-7 days. Turn them over during this time. This simple method is reliable, because the sun's rays not only disinfect the material from dangerous microbes, but also stimulate further development.
- Temper the seeds. To do this, place them in a cloth bag and put them in the freezer overnight. Then remove and leave at room temperature for a day. Then put it back in the freezer, repeating these steps several times in a row. Sudden changes in temperature regimes will help the plant in the future to more easily tolerate weather changes.
Once the seeds are disinfected and hardened, start planting. Set aside a bright and spacious area for Hokkaido. It is advisable that legumes or onions grow on these beds earlier. It is recommended to plant a pumpkin in late May and early June. The distance between the seeds should be at least 1 m. After sowing, do not forget to water the seedlings with warm water.
Planting seedlings
For seedlings, you need prepared soil and a container. You can plant a pumpkin both in ordinary flower pots and in special containers.
Before planting, the container must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate and dried. Use universal compounds as seedling soil, for example “Krepysh” soil. It is already disinfected in advance, so the preparation of seedlings will take less time.
It is recommended to grow seedlings in a bright and warm place. If the pumpkin does not have enough light, arrange additional lighting with fluorescent lamps.
It is best to water the seedlings pointwise, trying to avoid moisture getting on the stems and leaves. A week before disembarking, take the seedlings out onto the balcony for a couple of hours, then increase this time by an hour.
Important! It is best to plant the plant in the early morning on a dry and calm day. Try to keep lumps of seedling soil on the sprouts during planting. It is advised to transplant with bare hands so as not to damage the still fragile and weak bushes.
Care
Proper care is the key to a good harvest. First of all, watch the amount of moisture introduced. The pumpkin has a powerful and developed root system, so do not forget to water it in time. However, water should not be in excess, as high humidity leads to various diseases. Especially if the weather is hot and dry.
Pumpkins love organic fertilizers. We are talking about manure, compost, humus, humus or chicken droppings. In addition to organics, do not forget about mineral supplements. An excellent option would be urea, potassium salt, or ammonium nitrate. Also sprinkle wood ash on the bushes occasionally. This universal remedy not only nourishes, but protects against diseases.
Important! It is best to apply fertilizers in 2 stages. The first is when the first 3-4 full leaves appear on the bush. The second stage is the fruiting period.
Also, pumpkin care consists in weeding the beds in a timely manner and removing weeds. This is especially true after heavy rains. Weeding is advised to be combined with loosening the earth. Loosening removes the hard top crust, which makes it difficult for oxygen to reach the plant. It is better to carry out the procedure every 7-10 days.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
Hokkaido must be shaped. When formed into 1 stem, all lateral shoots are removed immediately after formation. All 3-4 ovaries and a couple of leaves remain on one lash. It is better to pinch the top to slow down the growth of the plant. By shaping into 1 stalk, you will get more quality vegetables while keeping them small.
If you form a vegetable into 2 stems, then there will be fewer pumpkins, but they will be heavier and more massive. To do this, leave only 2 vegetables on the main lash, and 1. And do not forget to pinch the tops.
Important! Be careful not to spoil the bottom of the large pumpkins. To prevent this from happening, build a small support in the form of bricks or boards.
Growing tips from experienced gardeners
To make Hokkaido tasty and beautiful, gardeners recommend
- Prepare the beds in the fall. Dig up the ground, burn all the trash and old grass. Dig up the soil again in the spring.
- Before planting, be sure to treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate. It may contain pathogens and other microorganisms.
- During dry periods, water the pumpkin mostly in the evening with warm water. Do not use cold water from wells, its composition is detrimental to the culture.
- Add diluted manure or weed infusion to the water.
- When loosening, the depth should not exceed 12 cm, and around the roots 6 cm.
- Control the number of vegetables on one lash, there should be no more than 8.
- Keep track of the amount of mineral dressings, an excess of them will lead the plant to wilting. Write down what and when you fed Hokkaido.
Diseases and pests
Melon aphid attacks Hokkaido. Although rare, sometimes the insect destroys most of the crop. In appearance, aphids are green bugs that attack the pumpkin in colonies.
The affected pumpkin drops flowers, and the leaves curl and wither. As a preventive measure, spray the culture with 10% karbofos or soapy water. It is better to prevent the appearance of a pest than to deal with it later.
Also, the vegetable is exposed to the sprout fly. It penetrates the stem, thereby disrupting metabolism. Treating the seeds before planting will help prevent flies.
From diseases, gardeners isolate root rot. From the name it is clear that it affects the roots, as a result of which they acquire a brown tint. Over time, the growth of the pumpkin stops, the foliage becomes yellow.
Root rot is caused by abrupt weather changes and cold watering. The preparation "Previkur" helps to fight root rot. It is added to the water and brought into the beds.
Harvesting and application of the crop
Hokkaido ripens perfectly at room temperature, so you can remove the vegetable from the garden at the stage of incomplete maturity. Pumpkins ripen in September. They slowly fill with the desired color, keeping up with each other. After collection, it is recommended to store Hokkaido in a dry cellar or basement.
The pulp of the variety is dense, so it is used not only for making soups and casseroles, but also as a filling for pies and cereals. Also, pumpkin is suitable as a side dish with fatty meat or poultry, as its beneficial properties help to avoid heaviness in the stomach and promote faster digestion. The vegetable perfectly tolerates freezing, retaining its value and taste.
Hokkaido makes an excellent puree soup. Both baked and fresh pumpkin are suitable for this. Garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, cream go well with this dish. Plus, this soup is often served with salmon or shrimp.
Interesting! In Japan, Hokkaido is prized for its small size. Vegetables are convenient to use as a base for Japanese stuffed dishes. The walls of the pumpkin are no less tasty than the pulp.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Hokkaido is a real treasure for pumpkin lovers. The variety is valued for many reasons:
- The unpretentiousness of culture. Agrotechnology consists of a number of conventional procedures: weeding, watering, loosening the soil and feeding. Hokkaido is great for those who prefer to spend a minimum of time on leaving.
- Original taste... Hokkaido is moderately juicy and spicy, with interesting hints of chestnut and walnut.
- Versatility in application... Pumpkin goes well with other vegetables, fruits, meat and seafood.
- Long shelf life... Hokkaido does not lose its value even after freezing, which means that you can enjoy the vegetable for a long time.
- Product benefits. Pumpkin contains a large amount of vitamins, amino acids and macronutrients. Moreover, not only the pulp, but also the seeds are equipped with useful properties.
- Suitable for diet food... Especially popular is the pumpkin juice recipe, which, in addition to its vitamin value, has a calming effect.
Of the shortcomings, gardeners note the need for the formation and the rare impact of insect pests. However, the formation of a bush does not take much time, and to prevent pests, just take preventive measures on time. Hokkaido has many more advantages than disadvantages.
Read also:
Fragrant nutmeg pumpkin "Pearl".
An exotic vegetable with an unusual taste and name - "Pink Banana" pumpkin.
Delicious and healthy treatment with natural ingredients - pumpkin and honey for the liver.
Farmers reviews
On various thematic forums about the Hokkaido variety, the following reviews are found.
Irina, Stavropol: “Last year I planted Hokkaido for the first time. Orange pumpkins appeared after 87 days. Planted in the open field. As a result, I collected 9 beautiful vegetables from one bush. Some of them were frozen, and some were used for cooking. I'm happy with the variety. "
Maria, Tatarstan: “I love nutmeg varieties very much, so I plant only them. Hokkaido is quite good, it lives up to its description. The culture was not sick with anything, the harvest ripened on time ”.
Olga, Voronezh region: “It formed into 1 stem, but for some reason, and then many additional shoots and stepsons were formed. They didn't really like the variety, it took a lot of time to remove them. The taste is slightly watery, hoping it would be better.
Conclusion
Hokkaido is a real star among gardeners. Not only does it take a minimum of time to leave, the resulting crop is famous for its excellent taste. Hokkaido has an attractive appearance, good dense texture, and has a long shelf life.
Grows in greenhouses or outdoors. The vegetable is filled with useful elements and is appreciated by lovers of healthy food. It goes well both with meat and with sweet pies and ice cream.