Contents
Pumpkin Honey Dessert is a young variety bred by the agricultural company Aelita and entered into the State Register of the Federation in 2013. This variety of pumpkin is approved for cultivation in all regions of the country in private household plots.
Description of Pumpkin Honey Dessert
Pumpkin Honey dessert belongs to a variety of honey, which are distinguished into a separate group due to the pronounced honey taste of the pulp.
Honey dessert is a large-fruited early ripe variety of universal purpose. The plant is long-branched, with large, slightly dissected dark green leaves. Scourge and leaves are rough. The flowers are yellow, large, bell-shaped. On each whip tied from 2 to 5 fruits.
The root system, like all pumpkins, is branched, deeply penetrating into the soil.
Description of fruits
Pumpkins of this variety are large, well-segmented, flat-round in shape with a slight indentation in the stalk area. The peel is thin, evenly colored, rough. In the photo of the Honey Dessert pumpkin, you can see the fruits of orange, orange-red or dark pink. The description of the variety indicates that their average weight is 4–6 kg, however, very often specimens weighing up to 11 kg are found in vegetable gardens. The pulp is orange or bright red, thick, fleshy, juicy. Medium sized seed nest filled with medium-sized white seeds.
The taste is honey-muscat, sweet, with a pronounced aroma. The composition of the fruit pulp of this variety is distinguished by a record content of carotene; it is also rich in vitamins and minerals. Due to its nutritional value and low calorie content, pumpkin Honey Dessert has found wide application in cooking, dietary and clinical nutrition. Purees, juices, fillings for baking are made from it; it is a part of vegetable side dishes, salads, desserts, cereals. This pumpkin is also good for roasting. Healthy dishes from this vegetable can help with diseases of the digestive system and beriberi. Of particular value is pumpkin for baby food – it is great for the first feeding of infants, because it does not contain allergens and does not need additional sugar.
Fans of exotic cuisine prepare interesting dishes from flowers: they can be fried in batter or stuffed.
This variety is also suitable for industrial cultivation, since pumpkins are stored for a long time and tolerate transportation well.
Characteristics of a variety
The variety Honey Dessert is early ripening: depending on the growing conditions, the fruits reach technical maturity in 90-110 days from the moment of germination.
This frost-resistant variety of culture tolerates temperature extremes well. On the territory of Our Country, it can be grown everywhere. The variety feels great in the south and in the Middle lane, subject to agricultural technology for the conditions of a cold short summer, it grows well in the northern regions.
Pumpkins are distinguished by their average keeping quality – manufacturers determine the minimum shelf life of about 100 days, but usually, if the conditions are strictly observed, the pumpkin lies longer.
Different seed producers claim different yields. So, you can meet the predicted yield in the range from 3 to 11 kg per 1 square. m. In many ways, these figures depend on the region of cultivation.
This variety tolerates drought well, but needs moisture to form green mass and ovaries.
Pest and disease resistance
A varietal feature of pumpkin Honey Dessert is its resistance to the main diseases of pumpkin crops. However, plantings should be regularly inspected for lesions. Of the pests, the most common are spider mites, aphids, caterpillars, which can be fought with folk methods – an infusion of hot pepper or garlic, as well as a soap-ash solution.
Advantages and disadvantages
The undoubted advantages of the pumpkin variety Honey dessert include its following features:
- unusual honey taste;
- high content of vitamins and minerals;
- relatively simple agricultural technology;
- resistance to crop diseases;
- good keeping quality of fruits;
This variety also has some disadvantages that should be considered when cultivating:
- large area required for landing;
- demand for soil fertility.
Cultivation technology
Well-lit areas protected from strong winds are suitable for growing pumpkins of this variety. The plant prefers light loamy and sandy soils; a rich harvest can be obtained by planting a crop on a compost heap. When planning plantings, you need to take into account that, like other large-fruited pumpkins, Honey Dessert grows strongly. The optimal planting pattern is 100×100 cm. To save space, pumpkins can be planted near buildings that will serve as a support for its long lashes.
This variety also grows well on high beds, which warm up faster and do not flood in case of heavy rains.
Before winter, the site is dug up and holes are prepared, into which organic and mineral fertilizers are applied. If it was not possible to fertilize the soil in the fall, humus can be added in the spring 14 days before planting.
Depending on the weather conditions, honey dessert pumpkin can be grown both by seedling and seedless method. Seedlings begin to be driven out 20–25 days before the planned day of planting plants in open ground. As a rule, seedlings are planted in the garden in the third decade of May – the first decade of June.
Preparation of seed material for both seedling and non-seedling method includes selection of the strongest seeds, disinfection, soaking in growth stimulants.
For seedlings, seeds are planted in individual containers of 2-3 pcs. A mixture of garden soil with humus or compost is used as a substrate. To maintain the microclimate necessary for germination (heat and humidity), the containers are covered with a film. Of the shoots that have appeared, only the strongest plant is left; the rest are pinched off. Before planting seedlings in the garden, it is recommended to harden it by taking it outside for several hours a day.
Planting a pumpkin of this variety in open ground should be in late May – early June. Using hatched seeds will speed up germination. 2–3 seeds are sown in pre-prepared holes, deepening by 5–8 cm. It is recommended to cover the planting sites at night with a film until germination.
Regular crop care consists of watering, loosening, weeding, fertilizing and inspecting plantings for damage by diseases and pests. Watering this vegetable has some peculiarities: the plant needs a lot of moisture during the growing season, watering is reduced during pumpkin ripening, and it is completely stopped before harvesting. Some growers mulch the ground around the main stem. This avoids the formation of an earthen crust after watering, retains moisture and protects the plant from weeds. However, there is no great need for this procedure.
In addition, the plant needs to be shaped. In order for the large fruits of the Honey Dessert pumpkin to ripen, it is recommended to leave 2 to 4 fruits on the plant.
To stimulate the growth of adventitious roots, the stems of the plant are sprinkled with moist soil. This allows you to provide the plant with additional nutrition.
Harvest pumpkin Honey dessert in August – September in the phase of technical maturity, cutting it off along with the stalk. Store pumpkins at a temperature of plus 5÷15°C in a dry place. In the freezer, the pulp, cut into cubes, can be stored for up to a year.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Honey dessert is rightfully considered one of the most delicious and healthy pumpkins from the honey variety. Simple agricultural technology, relative unpretentiousness and resistance to diseases make this variety attractive for cultivation throughout Our Country.