Pumpkin is quite common in our gardens and is a very respected vegetable. And all thanks to its nutritional properties. After all, pumpkin contains 2-20% sugar and 15-20% starch. As well as phosphorus, potassium, iron, calcium, etc. Due to the fact that the pumpkin contains a large amount of potassium, it is highly recommended to use it for cardiovascular diseases. Such is it a pumpkin, the cultivation and care of which must be considered in more detail.
This is an annual plant with a powerful root system, and the main root of the pumpkin bush is able to penetrate into the ground by 1.5-2 meters. And its stems can reach a length of 5-6 meters. Due to the fact that the pumpkin leaves are quite large, moisture actively evaporates from their surface. This becomes especially noticeable during its growing season. It is for this reason that pumpkin needs abundant watering. So how to grow a pumpkin?
Growing pumpkins, in principle, is not a big deal. However, there are still some nuances. Therefore, gardeners are often tormented by the question: "How to grow a pumpkin"? I must say that mainly in our country they grow hard-boiled and large-fruited pumpkin. These varieties are most resistant to cold. Although, in the southern regions, they often grow pumpkin nutmeg .
To get a good crop, before planting, you need to determine the place, and also choose the most optimal method of fertilizing pumpkin in the process of its growth. In principle, it can grow on any soil, but the best yields are obtained if the pumpkin grows on light, medium loamy soils fed with organic fertilizers.
On the site for planting pumpkins, the soil is dug up to the bayonet of a shovel in depth, and based on 1 sq.m. area in the soil is applied organic fertilizer. If the soil is too heavy, then it is advisable to add chopped straw or sawdust previously moistened with urea.
Before planting seeds, they must be germinated. As a rule, 5-6 days before sowing the seeds, they are placed in warm water for a couple of hours, after which they are wrapped in a damp cloth and stored at room temperature until sowing.
But how to grow a pumpkin in the soil that has not yet warmed up to the desired temperature? The main thing here is not to rush with planting seeds, but wait until the soil warms up to +13. . +14 degrees. Otherwise, the planted seeds will simply freeze and disappear. Although, even if they manage to climb, the sprouts will be weak and can easily die from disease. It is necessary to lay seeds in the soil to a depth of 3-5 cm, observing the distance between them in a meter.
Due to the fact that pumpkin is a heat-loving and photophilous plant, it is best to plant seeds on small hills, the height of which reaches 15-20 cm. This method of planting is relevant in order to protect the pumpkin from possible frost in the spring and provide the plant with the maximum amount of light . And how to grow pumpkin seedlings and is it even possible? In principle, perhaps, however, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the crop will have to be harvested early.
In the process of pumpkin growth, it should be periodically looked after, i.e. from time to time to loosen the soil, pour only warm water and feed these vegetables with mineral (nitrogenous) fertilizers. To get a good pumpkin crop, it must be molded. Usually this is done in 1-2 stems, and all other stems must be cut off after they appear. On the main branch, no more than 3 ovaries should remain, and its top should be clipped. If after these procedures new flowers nevertheless appear, then they should be carefully cut off. The length of the stalk of the fruits cut off during the harvest should be 5-6 cm. Otherwise, the fruits will rot during storage.