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Fruit EdibleAnnual Biennial

Cucurbita maxima

great pumpkin

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

Other common names

autumn squash
winter squash

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched, Trailing
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in rich, fertile, well drained soil in full sun. For more advice see pumpkin cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Edible fruit

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews

Get involved

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