Decorative pumpkin Red (Turkish) turban: planting and care

Pumpkin Turkish turban is a liana-like plant that grows wild in the tropics. Belongs to the pumpkin family. It is generally accepted that the decoration of the garden is flowers or flowering bushes. Unusual vegetables, in particular decorative pumpkins, cope with this task just as well.

Variety description

The Turkish turban is characterized by rapid growth. In a few weeks, the stem can grow up to 6 m. This feature allows the pumpkin to be used for decorative gardening. The whips cling to the support with their antennae and quickly rise up. Climbing culture can mask a fence, mesh or decorate an arch.

The foliage is large, rounded, five-lobed. The surface is wrinkled, with prickly hairs. The leaves are carried on long, hollow stems. Flowers solitary, large, yellow. The inflorescences of the gourd Turkish turban are predominantly unisexual. The flowering process begins in the second half of summer.

Description of fruits

The most interesting thing about the pumpkin Turkish turban is the fruit. The shape resembles two small pumpkins fused together. The upper part of the turban-shaped fruits has a bright orange tint, and the lower part is painted white.

The length of the vegetable is 25-40 cm, diameter 15 cm. The surface can be smooth or bumpy. There are practically no two identical fruits on the same plant. They always differ in color, pattern.

Characteristics of a variety

Pumpkin Turkish turban easily endures periods in the absence of rain. However, the big minus of the plant is the complete lack of frost resistance. Young bushes do not tolerate a drop in temperature even to -1 ° C. In addition to frost, ornamental vegetables do not respond well to poor soil. For a bountiful harvest, it is better to water with solutions of mineral fertilizers.

Disease and pest resistance

Pumpkin Turkish turban suffers from fungal diseases. The bushes are covered with black mold, as a result, growth and development stop.

1. The most common disease in the Turkish Turban variety is powdery mildew. Symptoms – white bloom on leaves and fruits. Affected areas eventually dry and fall off. You can get rid of the disease with the help of fungicides or the timely removal of the affected plant.
2. Bacteriosis is characterized by brown spots on the leaves. With a prolonged process, ulcers appear. For prevention, the pumpkin Turkish turban is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. If there are signs of illness, they are treated with a mixture of copper sulphate and lime.
3. Root rot affects the root system and stem of a vegetable crop. This is due to sudden temperature changes. Sick plants are treated with a solution of copper sulfate and zinc sulfate.
4. White rot. The causative agent is marsupial fungus. The development of infection occurs in conditions of excess moisture. Rotten areas are cut off and sprinkled with activated charcoal. Prevention of fungal disease – moisturizing with warm water.
5. The pumpkin Turkish turban suffers from melon aphids, the size of which is 2 mm. Wither, fall leaves, flowers. Get rid of the insect allows the drug Karbofos or infusion of wormwood.
6. Deliver a lot of problems to the pumpkin Turkish turban slugs. During the rainy season, their activity increases. They feed on the leaves of the bush. Pests must be dealt with quickly, otherwise they can live in one place for several years. To do this, distribute around the plant a mixture of slaked lime and ash in proportions of 1: 1.

Is it possible to eat pumpkin Turkish turban

This question is of interest to many gardeners who plan to plant a decorative pumpkin on the site. Without a doubt, unusual fruits are often used to decorate the yard. However, the Turkish turban gourd can be eaten. The young vegetable has a thin, delicate skin. They make stews, casseroles, salads from it. Fully ripened fruits are covered with a dense, hard crust. The pulp acquires a bitter taste. Therefore, such a vegetable is used to feed livestock.

Application of decorative pumpkin

In the garden, the pumpkin Turkish turban looks beautiful and original. The fruits stand out brightly against the green foliage of the vines, but they can be used for crafts. A vegetable is used for burning paintings, decorative painting.

To create an interior element of the composition, the pumpkin must be in a dried state. Therefore, the preliminary preparation of a vegetable consists in the following steps:

• they sort out the entire harvest, selecting ripe pumpkins;
• the stalk must be completely dry;
• the fruit is washed with soapy water and wiped dry;
• transferred to a room with good ventilation for further drying;
• constantly inspect vegetables, timely removing rotten ones;
• if mold is noticed on the peel, they are treated with antiseptic agents.

The gourd Turkish turban is completely dried out if it is thrown into a container of water and it does not sink. Next, you need to polish the surface of the vegetable with sandpaper. Thus, it will turn out to get rid of bumps and husks.

After completing all the preparatory work, they begin to cut out drawings on the walls, paint them. To increase the strength, rub the surface of the gourd Turkish turban with wax.

Pumpkin dishes are made using a drill. Drill holes of appropriate diameters. But first they open the core and extract the seeds, pulp.

Cultivation technology

The size and quantity of the crop is directly dependent on the growing conditions of the Turkish Turban pumpkin. It is noticed that the plant grows well in light fertile soils. Preferably loam or sandy loam, calcareous soils, and the vegetable does not tolerate acidic soils.

For landing, a secluded place, protected from cold winds, is suitable. Gourd Turkish Turban is a sun-loving plant, but light shade is tolerated. Without the sun, vegetable crops grow and develop poorly. The coloring is dull. The more light, the more beautiful the fruit. Of course, you can plant pumpkins on the north side of the house, but then you should not expect an abundance of inflorescences and bright fruits.

Pumpkin Turkish turban is an annual plant that does not tolerate cold temperatures. Therefore, it is desirable to plant seedlings in the ground.

1. Vegetable seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator solution.
2. Wrapped in gauze and sent to a dark place for 2 days.
3. Prepare single containers with a volume of at least 0,5 liters and a sunny window sill.
4. The composition of the substrate should include turfy earth and sand, to give a loose consistency.
5. Sprouted seedlings are hardened off daily. Take out to the street first for 20 minutes. Then gradually increase the length of stay.
6. Plant a pumpkin Turkish turban in open ground in late May or early June, when night frosts have passed.
7. The distance between the holes is approximately 40-60 cm. The depth of embedding is 15-20 cm.
8. When planting a plant from a cup, you should be careful, as you can harm the roots.
9. Seedlings bloom in June, and in mid-July, the first fruits begin to form.

Decorative pumpkin needs a rare but plentiful watering. The soil is loosened regularly. To make the bush lush, pinch the top. And when the size of the stem reaches 150 cm, the lateral processes will go.

When building green mass, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are fed. For the formation of fruits and flowers – potash and phosphorus preparations. Pumpkin Turkish turban prefers organic top dressing: chicken manure, mullein, rotted manure, humus.

The vegetable is harvested in dry weather, approximately in September-October before the onset of frost. In the southern regions – after the foliage has dried. In the process of harvesting, it is required to save the stalk and prevent damage to the pumpkin Turkish turban.

Conclusion

Pumpkin Turkish turban is an ornamental plant. Suitable for culinary use or landscaping. Ripe fruits make handmade crafts beautifully: vases, caskets, candle holders. Moreover, the basis for such unique things can be obtained without much effort. Vegetable culture is undemanding, grows quickly and pleases with numerous fruits.

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