Gymnospermous pumpkin: benefits and harms

Pumpkin gymnosperms outwardly do not differ from ordinary and are not a separate subtype of culture. Their farming technique is similar, the method of cultivation does not differ. The main advantage of gymnosperms is that the seeds are not covered with a hard shell, which makes them more convenient for processing.

General description of gymnosperms

The gymnosperm pumpkin (pictured) has no visual difference from the ordinary one. This herbaceous plant with intensive growth and shoot formation can cover an area up to 2 m in 4-30 months. The culture is represented by a variety of varieties that differ in color and shape of fruits. The basic requirements for growing conditions for gymnosperms and classic pumpkins are the same.

The biological characteristics of gymnosperms and ordinary pumpkins do not differ. Depending on the variety, the culture ripens at about the same time. Gymnosperms are more sensitive to soil temperature during planting. Uncoated seeds germinate faster, but if the soil temperature is below +17 ⁰C, sprouts may die. An ordinary pumpkin is planted with seeds immediately into the soil, gymnosperms are recommended to be grown by seedlings.

Varieties of gymnosperms do not produce large fruits, the average weight is from 6 to 8 kg. It forms more flowers than the classic species, they are larger in size. General description of the gymnospermous gourd:

1. The lashes are hollow, long (up to 8 m), thick, some varieties require the formation of a bush by removing excess shoots. The stems are light green, ribbed, finely pubescent. The mustache is long and medium in size.
2. The foliage is intense, the leaves are opposite, rounded, five-lobed, slightly dissected. The surface is smooth with thick veins, dark green, pubescent.
3. On average, a pumpkin forms 70 female and more than 350 male flowers, male ones appear first, then female ones grow at 4-8 internodes. Flowers simple, solitary, bright yellow.
4. The shape of the fruit and the weight depends on the variety, mainly round pumpkins with orange color and dark green vertical stripes.
5. Medium-sized seeds are covered with a thin dark green film, formed in large numbers, located in deep seed chambers.

The benefits and harms of gymnosperms

There are many useful elements in the chemical composition of fruits, so they are widely used in recipes of traditional medicine and the pharmacological industry. Gymnospermous pumpkin in terms of the composition of the pulp does not differ from the usual one. Seeds are useful in the fight against helminths. The substance cucurbitin is contained in the film between the seed and the hard shell; in an ordinary pumpkin, the film is thin. Cucurbitin is a green substance; in gymnosperms, the film is much thicker, so the concentration of the substance is higher.

Beneficial features:

1. Vitamins PP, B5, B1, E, B9 are involved in the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, provide the body with energy. They synthesize hemoglobin, promote the production of amino acids, normalize the absorption function of the intestine, improve the functioning of the adrenal glands.
2. Thanks to choline, pumpkin has a hepatoprotective property. The substance is part of lecithin, participates in phospholipid metabolism, generates liver tissue.
3. Phosphorus and zinc improve the condition of the walls of blood vessels, give them elasticity, stop the formation of blood clots. Prevent the development of prostatitis and adenoma, zinc stimulates the production of testosterone and estrogen.
4. Calcium helps to strengthen bones.
5. Amino acids improve brain activity.
6. Pumpkin has diuretic and choleretic properties, prevents the formation of stones in the bladder and ducts.
7. Iron is involved in blood formation.
8. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats moisturize the skin and have antioxidant properties. Together with vitamins, they normalize the hormonal background, thereby getting rid of acne.
9. Seeds are used for helminthiasis caused by pinworms, tapeworms, bovine tapeworm.

The benefits of the seeds and pulp of the gymnospermous pumpkin are beyond doubt, possible harm is done to the body with excessive use:

• people with dysbacteriosis may have impaired defecation;
• in some cases, an allergic reaction to the pumpkin occurs;
• those suffering from diabetes are not recommended to get involved in pumpkin seeds;
• in people with a violation of the acid-base balance, the condition may worsen.

Varieties of gymnosperms

The gymnosperm variety of the culture was created to simplify the technology of processing seeds into oil. Later varieties with improved gastronomic qualities were bred. A general overview of popular varieties of gymnosperms and their name will help you decide on the choice of seeds for planting.

Styrian

Styrian gymnosperm pumpkin (Austrian) comes from the Austrian province of the same name. Created for the food industry, Styrian pumpkin seeds contain a high concentration of oils. The culture is adapted to the weather conditions of Our Country. Grown on an industrial scale and in household plots. Pulp with an insignificant composition of sugars, with a subtle nutty smell.

Characteristics of the Styrian gymnosperm pumpkin:

• medium-late, matures in 3 months;
• heat-loving, demanding on lighting;
• stems are long, bush with high shoot formation;
• fruits are rounded, weighing 5-7 kg, the main color is green with light yellow lines.
• forms a large number of seeds of medium size, dark green.

Shelf life is 3 months.

Apricot

Gymnosperm pumpkin Apricot refers to dessert varieties, created on the basis of the Styrian, according to reviews, the varieties are similar in appearance. The surface of the fruit is bright yellow with green longitudinal stripes. It got its name for the taste of beige pulp. The taste is sweet, rich, with hints of apricot. Seeds are medium, in large quantities. Advantages of gymnosperm pumpkin Apricot: taste and chemical composition of seeds. In the USSR, a crop was grown for the production of apricot juice. The variety is medium-late, with intensive lash formation, weight – up to 8 kg.

golosemyanka

The biological characteristics of golosemyanka pumpkin do not differ from other varieties of Austrian selection. A bush plant adapted to a temperate climate, a crop is grown for technical purposes, to produce oil. This is one of the first representatives of gymnosperms that appeared in Our Country.

Description of the variety and characteristics of golosemyanka pumpkin:

• medium-late, fruits reach biological ripeness in 110 days;
• forms a small number of lashes, branched shoots, up to 4 m long;
• fruits are slightly flattened at the top and base, yellow and green, with a lack of light, green color dominates;
• the pulp is light yellow, slightly fibrous;
• the taste is neutral or slightly sweet;

It gives a lot of seeds, they have a dark gray tint.

Danaya

According to reviews, the gymnosperm pumpkin Danae is the most sought after in the Middle lane. A culture has been created in Rostov for technical cultivation. Pumpkin Description:

• frost-resistant, does not stop growing when the temperature drops;
• medium-late, vegetation period 120 days;
• shrub strongly branched with medium shoot formation;
• fruits are rounded, dark green, with a mesh pattern;
• the pulp is light yellow, unsweetened, fibrous;
• produces many large oilseeds. Sensitive to overpollination.

Olga

Olga is a pumpkin of a gymnospermous variety of early ripening. Created for dining purposes. The culture is semi-bush, compact, the lashes are short. Fruit ripening is simultaneous, pumpkins are leveled, weighing 1,5-3 kg. The pulp is juicy, sweet, slightly fibrous, rich yellow color. The peel is hard, thin, the surface is orange with a light segment. Seeds are small, light green, formed in small quantities.

Juno

Pumpkin gymnosperms Juno refers to the early ripening, because it ripens in 90 days. It is an unpretentious representative of culture. It is the only drought-resistant gymnosperm variety. The plant is sprawling, intensively forms lateral shoots, the stems are long, unlimited in growth. Poorly tolerates tight planting and dense crown. Requires the formation of a bush. The culture is high-yielding, fruits of a leveled shape, color standard for gymnosperms. Mass of pumpkins up to 8 kg. Seed cover is dark, closer to black, many seeds are formed.

Miranda

Miranda is a gymnosperm representative of the Polish selection, a semi-bush undersized plant. The bush is not sprawling, compact, does not take up much space on the site. Variety description:

• mid-late (105-110 days);
• shoot formation is weak;
• productivity is high;
• table grade;
• fruits of a rounded flattened shape, green at the stage of technical ripeness, when ripe they turn gray with a marble pattern, weight – 5-8 kg;
• the pulp is juicy, up to 7 cm thick, with a high content of starch and sugars;
• produces some light green seeds.

Esau

The copyright holder of the gymnosperm variety is the Czech company SEMO, the leading supplier of seeds on the European market. The variety was created for industrial cultivation. Fully adapted to the weather conditions of Our Country. Gymnospermous pumpkin of this variety belongs to mid-season crops, 110 days are enough until full ripening. The plant is climbing, occupies large areas. Grown only for seeds. Pulp of neutral taste, thin, light yellow. The fruits are round, dark green, with a slight yellow patch, weight up to 9 kg. The skin is hard and thin. You can store pumpkin within 1,5 months. After harvesting, the fruits are immediately sent for processing.

Growing gymnosperms

Gymnosperm pumpkin is a photophilous culture, prefers areas open to the sun, protected from the north wind. The best growing option is on a hill on the south side. Drought resistance in gymnosperms is low, plants require constant watering for vegetation. The root system is superficial, so waterlogging of the soil can lead to diseases, in the worst case, to the death of the plant.

The required composition of the soil for the crop is neutral or slightly alkaline; gymnosperms will not produce a crop on acidic soil. The land should be light, aerated, drained, fertile. So that nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are in the required amount. Replenish the stock with top dressing and crop rotation. Gymnosperms have not been planted in one area for more than 3 years, the soil after growing gourds will not work.

Distribute vegetables on the site in such a way that there is no ordinary pumpkin next to the gymnosperms. Plants are pollinated, planting material for the next year will not give the desired variety. The bed is prepared before planting: they dig it up and add organic matter. Moisturize before sowing. The dates for laying seeds for each climatic zone are different. A prerequisite is that the soil warms up to +17 ⁰C, and there was no danger of frost. Seeds germinate on the seventh day, if frost occurs at this point, the plant will no longer recover.

Landing work:

1. Seeds are heated for 8 hours at a temperature not higher than +40 ⁰C.
2. Then placed for 5 hours in a solution of the drug “Vympel”.
3. Make indentations 30×30 cm in size, fill with a solution of ash (100 g) and potassium sulfate (100 g) based on 2 water.
4. Humus (5 kg) is mixed with superphosphate (100 g), placed on the bottom of the hole, a layer of about 15 cm should be obtained.
5. Plant 4 seeds at a depth of 5 cm, maintaining a distance between seeds of 4 cm.
6. Cover with soil, mulch with straw or sawdust.

Direct landing in the ground is used in the southern regions. For a temperate climate, in order to speed up the ripening time, seedlings are pre-grown. The gymnosperm pumpkin does not respond well to transplantation, so the seeds are sown in peat cups.

Growing seedlings:

1. By the time of sowing seeds, they are guided by weather conditions; seedlings will be ready for planting in 1 month.
2. Soil is poured into the glasses, consisting of peat, compost and topsoil in equal parts.
3. Plant the seeds at a depth of 4 cm.
4. Grow pumpkin at a temperature of 22 ⁰C, creating lighting for 16 hours a day.
5. When leaves appear, seedlings are fed with Uniflor Growth.

Before placing in the garden for several hours, seedlings are taken out to fresh air.

Sowing seeds and planting seedlings is carried out according to the same scheme. Row spacing 70 cm, if the variety is bushy, then between plants – 65 cm, medium climbing – 1,5 m, with intensive shoot formation – 2 m.

Caring for gymnosperms:

1. Watering every evening at the root.
2. Weeding and loosening as needed.
3. Top dressing with preparations “Uniflor-micro”, “Azofoska”, organic.
4. Side shoots are removed, from 4 to 7 ovaries are left on the bush, depending on the variety, the tops are wringed.

When the fruits begin to ripen, they must be placed on a layer of straw so that they do not come into contact with the ground or tied to a support.

Pests and diseases

Varieties of gymnosperms are breeding, created by selecting high-quality planting material, so the culture has stable immunity. The most common diseases are powdery mildew and anthracnose.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that manifests itself as gray spots on the leaves. The reason is an excess of nitrogen, lack of moisture, cold damp weather. Fighting methods:

• removal of problem areas;
• treatment of gymnosperms with sodium phosphate or colloidal sulfur;
• using the drug “Topaz” or “Universal dew”.

The first signs of anthracnose are the appearance of dark yellow spots, over time they increase in size, become dark pink. The fungus infects the gymnospermous pumpkin completely, the fruits are unsuitable for consumption. If the plant is infected, it will not be possible to save it, the bush is completely removed from the site. Preventive action:

• observance of crop rotation;
• disinfection of planting material with antifungal agents;
• treatment of the beds before planting with a fungicide;
• removal of pumpkin residues and weeds after harvest from the site.

It parasitizes aphid on a pumpkin, get rid of the pest with the drug “Iskra”, “Fitoverm”. The Whitefly moth is less common, the caterpillars are destroyed by the Commander.

Harvesting and storage of crops

A sign that the gymnosperm pumpkin is ripe is the rich color of the fruit and the dry stalk. Harvest time depends on the variety and region of growth. Basically, this is autumn – mid-September for a temperate climate, in the South – early October. Collect the pumpkin along with the stalk. Gymnosperm varieties do not have a long shelf life, the fruits begin to rot, the seeds germinate inside. The average shelf life is 60 days, the Styrian gymnosperm is stored 1 month longer.

Conditions for storing pumpkin:

• dark room with a temperature not higher than +10 ⁰C;
• air humidity – up to 80%;
• the fruits are placed on a hill (cannot be stored on the ground), shifted with straw so that they do not touch each other;
• reviewed periodically.

If there are signs of decay, the gymnosperms must be removed from storage, the damaged areas removed and processed.

Conclusion

Gymnospermous pumpkin is a variety of ordinary pumpkin, mid-season, photophilous, with low drought resistance. The plant is cultivated for its seeds, which are used in the food industry. They do not have an upper hard layer, which is economically beneficial in the processing process.

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