Pumpkin and Winter Squash
Cucurbita,
several species, and ornamental, wax, sponge gourd, etc.
 Many excellent varieties
exist. Only a selected few are listed below. See also the section "Harvesting,
Handling, and Storage" for expected yields and size descriptions. For decorative
purposes and Halloween, pumpkins from 8 to 18 lb are preferred. Larger pumpkins
are valued for individual display purposes, and smaller ones are usually
used in ornamental arrangements.
Production in eastern
Oregon and in the Columbia Basin may be limited by curly top and other viruses.
Select sites that are surrounded by crops where insects are controlled,
and which are distant from open range, as this will minimize exposure to
leafhopper vectors. Since vine crops are also sensitive to damage from wind,
select protected sites and use windbreaks (see WINDBREAKS section below).
There is much confusion
with regard to the use of the words "pumpkin" and "squash". The words have
been used indiscriminately by growers, consumers and the seed industry.
These words refer to culinary traits rather than taxonomic classifications.
Pumpkins
are considered to be drier, coarser, and strong-flavored compared to squash
and are therefore used differently in cooking. "Pumpkin" should be used
to define edible fruit of any species of Cucurbita utilized when
ripe in pies, and not generally served as a baked vegetable.
The term "pumpkin" is also associated with the halloween Jack-O-Lantern,
and refers to fruit of any Cucurbita species (usually orange-skinned)
used for that purpose.
Squash
is usually divided into two categories:
"Summer
squash" should be used to refer to the edible fruit of any Cucurbita
species (commonly C. pepo) used when immature as a table
vegetable.
"Winter
squash" should refer to the edible fruit of any species of Cucurbita,
utilized when ripe, as a table vegetable or in pies, the flesh of which
is fine grained, mild flavored, and suitable for baking. "Winter squash"
is also the term used to refer to Cucurbitafruit that is stored
into the late fall or winter months. Examples would be all baking
varieties of C. maxima, and the cushaw forms of C. moschata
which are used when mature, and for certain varieties of C.
pepo used when mature (e.g. Acorn, Table Queen) and of C.
moschata (e.g. Butternut).
For other
characteristics that are used to differentiate Cucurbita species,
see the appropriate section below. See also Cucurbits
Genetics Cooperative Home Page--a service for those interested
in the genetics and breeding of cucurbits.
PUMPKIN VARIETIES
Varieties of pumpkins
are listed from smallest to largest fruit. Approximate days to harvest are
given for the Willamette Valley; for warmer areas, subtract 10-15 days.
Miniature,
decorative pumpkins, less than 1-lb fruit, (approximately 95 days).
Although used primarily for ornamental purposes, these are also suited
for baking:
Sweetie Pie, and Jack
Be Little 3x2 inches; also Small Sugar and Mini Jack Munchkin, 3X4 inches.
White-skinned miniature: Baby Boo 3x2 inches.
Small,
decorative specialty varieties (1-5 lb; approximately 105 days):
Baby Bear (6x4 in. and
1.5 to 2.5 lb), Mini-Jack (both hulless or naked-seeded); Oz, Spooktacular
(both 5 inch round, uniform); Spookie, Baby Pam (both about 5X6 inches);
Little Lantern (early, about 5X4 inches)
Small
to medium (5-10 lb; approximately 110 days):
Triple Treat (hulless
seed, fine-textured, orange-flesh, Jack O' Lantern-type fruit, concentrated
maturity); Spirit (early, semi-bush hybrid, medium fruit); Jack O'Lantern
(open pollinated, medium fruit); Spookie; Autumn Gold (early coloring, 7
to 10-lb, golden-yellow when immature, turning to glossy orange at maturity).
Medium
to large (10-25 lb; approximately 120 days):
Howden and Kentucky
Field (the classic pumpkin varieties, medium to large fruit. Howden has
attractive deep orange skin and dark green stem); Jack Pot, Wizzard, and
Oz (three compact-vine hybrids - medium large fruit); Connecticut Field,
Happy Jack, Jumpin Jack, Pankow's Field (large stems), Big Autumn, Aspen,
Buckskin (especially for processing, earlier than Kentucky Field). For trial:
Bushkin (a compact bush), Howden Biggie. White pumpkin: Lumina
When pumpkins or winter
squash are grown for processing for pie filling or baby food, etc.,
the processor specifies varieties. Proprietary varieties developed by the
processor are similar to Dickenson pumpkin (C. moschata, which
tends to be too late for western Oregon production), or Golden Delicious
squash (C. maxima). Others may use seed blends of Golden Delicious
and Boston Marrow, usually in 60:40 ratio, to plant fields for processing.
When pumpkin or squash
is grown for confectionary seed, the seed processor determines the
variety to be used. The most commonly used is 'Golden Delicious' squash
and proprietary selections of that type. Plant spacings are reduced and
plant populations are increased to produce more seed per acre. Fruit size
becomes a secondary concern.
Mammoth
varieties (100 + lb) "pumpkins": Big Max, Big Moon, Prizewinner Hybrid,
and Atlantic Giant (patented by Howard Dill).
Note: A number of Giant
Pumpkin "clubs" exist across the U.S.A. Members engage in exchange of seeds
of hybrids they make. The Associations award prizes for the largest pumpkins
grown regionally. For $10.00 you can join the Pacific Northwest Pumpkin
Growers Assoc. Write c/o Tallina George, 15790 S.E. Hwy. 224, Clackamas,
OR 97015. The 1993 Oregon record was 727 lbs. grown by Kirk Mombert of Harrisburg,
OR. Also, the World Pumpkin Confederation, 14050 Gowanda Road, Collins,
N.Y. 14034, holds annual weigh-off contests in the U.S. and Canada and awards
cash prizes for the largest, pumpkin, watermelon and squash. For $15.00,
you can join and receive their quarterly newsletter. The 1993 record was
884 lb. In 1994, a number of entries exceeded 900 lb with at least one over
990 lb. The longstanding prize of $10,000 for the person that grows the
first pumpkin over 1,000 lb was officially given on October 5, 1996, for
a 1061-lb pumpkin produced by Paula and Nathan Zehr of Lowville, N.Y. A
pumpkin grown in Canada also broke the 1,000 mark at 1,006 lb. Both were
of the Atlantic Giant variety. See also the World
Class Giant Pumpkins and Giant
Gourd Growing Contest.
Naked-seeded
or hulless varieties (approximately 110 days). Seed is used for roasting:
Trick or Treat; Triple
Treat (round, 10-inch diam., may be used for Halloween pumpkin, seed roasting,
and pumpkin pie); Lady Godiva (grown only for its seed), both compact and
indeterminate vine types are available.
WINTER SQUASH VARIETIES:
Among winter squash
varieties, only Butternut and Golden Delicious are used for processing.
Fruit quality is related to increased days to harvest provided vines are
healthy and fruit is not subjected to extended cold or freezing temperatures.
Varieties are listed
by type. Approximate days to harvest, for good quality, are given for the
Willamette Valley; for warmer areas, subtract 10-15 days. Fruit quality
is related with increased days to harvest provided vines are healthy and
fruit is not subjected to extended cold or freezing temperatures.
Acorn
(approximately 110 days)
Green: Table Ace, Table Queen. For trial: Tay Belle, Royal Acorn, Unicorn.
Yellow: Table Gold.
Banana
(approximately 120 days): Pink Banana, Pink Banana Jumbo. For trial: Blue
Banana.
Butternut
(approximately 120 days): Butternut Supreme, Early Butternut, Waltham
Butternut. For trial: Butter Bush, Hercules, Ultra Butternut (a very large
butternut suitable for processing), Nicklow's Delight ZYMV (ZYMV and CMV
resistant, semi-bush hybrid), Ponka, Neck Pumpkin (long neck).
Buttercup
(approximately 115 days): Sweet Mama, Buttercup Burgess Strain.
Orange-skinned buttercup type: Gold Nuggett. For trial: All Seasons F1(orange);
Butter Boy (red-orange);
Kabocha:
Kabocha is the generic Japanese word for squash, but refers most commonly
to a squash of the buttercup type: Delica (also known as Ebisu in Japan,
is one of the most common varieties), Kurinishiki F1, Honey Delight, Sweet
Mama. For trial: First Taste, Home Delite, Imperial Delite, Supreme Delite,
Sweet Meat.
Delicata
(or sweet potato squash; approximately 110 days): Sugar Loaf, Honey Boat,
Delicata.
Delicious
(approximately 115 days): Golden Delicious, N.K. 530, N.K. 580 (all having
the red-orange, tender, rind required in processing squash and thick orange-yellow
flesh; N.K. 580 is the largest). Green Delicious (green rind).
Hubbard
(approximately 120 days): True Hubbard, Blue Hubbard, Golden Hubbard,
Baby Hubbard, Warted Hubbard, Red Kuri (also called Baby Red Hubbard or
Orange Hokkaido), Uchiki Kuri (orange-red).
Spaghetti
(C. pepo; approximately 100 days): Vegetable Spaghetti, Pasta
F1, Tivoli F1 (bush spaghetti), Orangetti (orange rind and flesh, higher
in vitamin A than Vegetable Spaghetti). These are used as spaghetti substitute.
These have become popular and much more common in the marketplace recently.
ORIENTAL
VINE CROPS:
Vegetable
Sponge, Dish-cloth gourd, Sponge gourd (Luffa sp.; approximately
120 days). These may be used for cooking when immature, or allowed to
mature for the fibrous spongy tissue: Angular types (Luffa acutangula):
San-C, Ping-Ann. Cylindrical types (Luffa aegyptica): Cylinder,
Seven Star, Seven Beauty. These produce higher quality sponge fiber.
For more
information on Luffa, see the North Carolina State University file
Commercial Luffa Sponge Gourd Production.
Wax gourd
(Benincasa hispida; approximately 125 days): Green Tiger, Cheerer.
Both are late, needing a long season and hot temperatures.
Bitter
melon or Balsam Pear, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd (Momordica
charantia) see Oriental seed calatogs for variety availability under
one or more of the above names.
American
Indian pumpkins and squash:
An unusual
collection of varieties of C. maxima, C. mixta, C. moschata
and C. pepo is offered by Gleckler's Seedmen, a company that deals
with unusual seed specialties (see address below). Seeds of Hopi, Shawnee,
Omaha, Pueblo, Cochiti and other American Indian as well as Mexican Zapotec
and Calabaza varieties are listed. These would be best suited in the warmer,
longer season areas of the Snake and Columbia River valleys.
Calabaza
(Cuban pumpkin C. moschata; approximately 130 days): A subtropical
(but may mature in the warmer areas of Oregon). Fruit is of high quality,
5-7 pounds, slightly flattened at top and bottom, mottled green or yellow
and tan. Flesh light yellow. Long vining plant. Leaves are mottled, gray-green.
Used primarily by Hispanics: La Primera, Marian Van Atta's.
ORNAMENTAL
SQUASH AND GOURDS:
Turban
C. maxima (approximately 115 days): Turk's Turban, Tiny Turk.
Gourds
(ornamental, yellow-flowered C. pepo; approximately 100 days):
Bi-Colored Pear, Apple, Nest Egg, Crown of Thorns, Yellow Warted, Small
Orange, Flat Striped, Miniature Stripe, Pear Stripe.
Bottle,
Dipper etc., Lagenaria species (approximately 125 days), white-flowered:
Bird House, Bottle, Calabash, Cave Man's Club, Dipper; Italian Edible
(also called Cucuzzi, may be eaten when immature, makes a nice rattle
when mature and dried, resembles a bowling pin but rounded at the bottom).
Trichosanthes anguina Snake gourd. These are all quite late. Note:
Some varieties of "gourds" are not palatable when mature.
Note: For
more information on gourds, contact the American Gourd Society, POB 274,
Mt. Giliad OH 43338
CHARACTERISTICS DIFFERENTIATING SOME COMMON
CULTIVATED CUCURBITA SPECIES
Species Foliage Stems Fruit stalk Seed margin
C. pepo Spiculate Hard angular Hard, angular Smooth
(zucchini and all (spiney) ridged
summer squash;acorn;
small,colored gourds;
spaghetti squash;
Connecticut Field;
Jackolantern; ridged
orange skin).
C. maxima Moderately Soft, round Soft, round, Smooth
(Hubbard, Banana, spiculate enlarged by
Delicious cork tissue
C. moschata Non - Moderately Hard, smoothly Scalloped
(butternut, Ken- spiculate hard, angular,
tucky Field, Dic- smoothly flared
kenson; smooth orange- angled
brown skin), Calabaza
Note: Vine
crops of many other genera and species of the family Cucurbitaceae exist
and are grown commercially, but to a lesser extent than those described
above.
SEED AND SEED TREATMENT
In western Oregon, pumpkins
and winter squash are planted from early to mid May. Some early varieties
and acorn squash may be planted to mid June.
Pumpkins and squash
in the species C. pepo have seed numbering approximately 100-300
per ounce. Those in C. moschata and C. maxima have seeds numbering
approximately 200-400 per ounce. Use fungicide-treated seed. Pumpkin and
Squash seedlings are susceptible to damping-off and decay when soils are
cool and wet.
SOILS AND SITE SELECTION
Choose light, well-drained
soils for earliest crops and reduced risk of stand establishment problems.
Avoid using fields in your rotation in which muskmelons, watermelons, pumpkins,
squash, cucumbers or other cucurbits have been planted.
Squash and pumpkins
grow best on fertile, well-drained soil supplied with organic matter. The
ideal pH for pumpkin and squash growth is between 6.0 to 7.5, but they will
grow on soils with a pH of up to 8.0. Consult a soil test for fertilizer
and liming recommendations.
Winter squash and pumpkin
root to a depth of 48 inches or more. Maintain soil moisture above 60% of
the soil water holding capacity. It is important to regulate irrigations
properly to avoid excessive moisture or water stress.
For Kabocha squash,
use well drained soils to minimize occurrence of ground spot (light green
or yellow spot). Clay soils should be avoided as should any locations that
may increase the probability of fruit surface scarring.
The minimum soil temperature
required for germination of these crops is 60 F, with the optimum range
between 70 and 95 F.
WINDBREAKS
Use windbreaks as necessary
especially in eastern Oregon. Grain windbreaks have been found effective
when grain rows are used for each crop row. Winter wheat varieties, rye,
or oats can be used. Spring barley may be used for February plantings. Seed
grain thickly, 2-3 seeds per inch. This requires about 10 lb of barley,
9 lb of wheat, or 8 lb of rye to seed grain rows 12 feet apart.
Crop rows and windbreaks
should be cultivated after they are well established. Windbreaks may be
cut off or rotary tilled around June 25 before vines develop long runners
that may be damaged by tractor tires.
SEEDING
Pumpkins and squash
are usually direct-seeded when all danger of frost has passed. Transplants
may also be used.
Final spacings depend
on vine size and intended use. When growing pumpkins or winter squash for
processing, narrow spacings are used. Use spacings of 3 to 4 feet between
rows and 1.5 to 2.5 feet between plants within the row.
Plantings intended for
fresh market are usually planted at wider spacings:
Vine Type Between Rows Within Rows
Bush or short vine varieties: 3 to 5' 2 to 3'
Small-fruited large vines: 6 to 8 3 to 4
Large-fruited large vines: 6 to 8 4 to 5
A common spacing of
3' x 5' would produce 2,900 plants/acre and up to 4,000 10 to 15-lb pumpkins,
for a yield of about 20-30 tons/acre.
While wide spacings
(8 x 3 feet) are generally recommended for Kabocha types for optimum skin
color and reduced disease incidence, yield at this wide spacing would be
low (about 5-6 tons per acre). A spacing of 6 feet between rows and 1 to
1 1/2 feet between plants in the row has been used successfully in New Zealand,
and to a limited extent in Oregon, and should be tried. This should result
in yields of approximately 8-10 tons per acre.
For confectionary seed
production, spacings of 3 feet by 3 feet are commonly used. At these populations
ground cover is dense and flowers are quickly hidden under the canopy. For
good set, high bee populations (2-3 hives/acre) and prompt hive placement
(soon after the first female flowers open) are important for good pollination
and seed set.
FERTILIZER
Good management practices
are essential if optimum fertilizer responses are to be realized. These
practices include use of recommended varieties, selection of adapted soils,
weed control, disease and insect control, good seed bed preparation, proper
seeding methods, and timely harvest.
Because of the influence
of soil type, climatic conditions, and other cultural practices, crop response
from fertilizer may not always be accurately predicted. Soil test results,
field experience, and knowledge of specific crop requirements help determine
the nutrients needed and the rate of application.
The fertilizer program
should insure adequate levels of all nutrients. Optimum fertilization is
essential for top quality, yields, and returns.
Recommended soil sampling
procedures should be followed in order to estimate fertilizer needs. The
OSU Extension Service agent in your county can provide you with soil sampling
instructions and soil sample bags and information sheets.
Recommendations are
based on a row spacing of 60 inches. With decreased row spacings fertilizer
rates should be increased.
Western
Oregon soils:
Adjust pH
to 6.0 or above.
NITROGEN (N)
Rates of 80 to 150 lb
N/A are suggested with the lower rates of N being applied when legumes were
grown the preceding year or a green manure crop is incorporated into the
soil prior to planting. Apply one-half the nitrogen at or just prior to
planting and the rest when vines begin to "run".
If the application of
N plus potash (K2O) exceeds 50 lb/A, there is danger of seedling injury
from the concentration of salt when fertilizer is banded at planting time.
There is less danger
if the band application is split into two bands. The danger is aggravated
as the band comes closer to the seed. The danger is greater with sandy than
with finer textured soil. Immediate irrigation at the first sign of burn
should reduce further injury. There is more possibility of damage to seedlings
on acid soils where the pH is below 5.5.
PHOSPHORUS (P)
Phosphorus fertilizer should be banded at planting for vigorous early seedling
growth. Bands should be located 2" to the side and 2" below the seed.
If the soil test* Apply this amount of
for P reads (ppm): phosphate (P2O5) (lb/A):
0 to 15 120-150
l5 to 60 90-120
over 60 60- 90
*Assumes extraction
procedures similar to those used by the OSU Central Analytical Laboratory.
Specific information on soil test procedures is available from the Dept.
of Crop and Soil Science.
POTASSIUM (K)
Potassium
should be applied before planting or banded at planting time. Amounts
above 40 lb K2O/A should be broadcast and worked into the seedbed. See
statements on fertilizer banding under "NITROGEN".
If the soil test* Apply this amount of
for K reads (ppm): potash K2O (lb/A):
0 to 75 100-150
75 to 150 60-100
150 to 200 40- 60
over 200 None
*Assumes extraction
procedures similar to those used by the OSU Central Analytical Laboratory.
Specific information on soil test procedures is available from the Dept.
of Crop and Soil Science.
SULFUR (S)
Include 20-30 lb S/A
in the annual fertilizer program for vine crops. Use the higher rate on
sandy soils. S is sometimes contained in fertilizers used to supply other
nutrients such as N, P, and K but may not be present in sufficient quantity.
Plants absorb S in the
form of sulfate. Fertilizer materials supply sulfur in the form of sulfate
and elemental S. Elemental S must convert to sulfate in the soil before
the S becomes avail able to plants. The conversion of elemental S to sulfate
is usually rapid for fine ground (less than 40 mesh) material in warm moist
soil.
Sulfur in the sulfate
form can be applied at planting time. Some S fertilizer materials such as
elemental S and ammonium sulfate have an acidifying effect on soil.
MAGNESIUM (Mg)
When the soil test value
is below 1.5 meq Mg/100g of soil or when calcium (Ca) is ten times more
than the Mg, apply 10-15 lb Mg/A banded at planting. If Mg deficiency symptoms
appear, spray with 10 lb Epsom salts in 100 gal water/A.
Magnesium can also be
supplied in dolomite, which is a liming material and will reduce soil acidity.
Dolomite should be incorporated into the seedbed at the rate of 1-1 T/A.
BORON (B)
In general, boron deficiencies are uncommon. If the soil test value for
B is less than 1 ppm, an application of 3 lb B/A is suggested. Boron should
be applied uniformly to the field as a spray or broadcast. Never band B
fertilizer.
ZINC (Zn)
Zinc deficiencies
are uncommon in Willamette Valley soils. When the soil test is below 1
ppm Zn, a response to Zn is expected and 4 lb Zn/A should be included
in the fertilizer band.
LIME
Experimental
work has shown that vine crops will produce good yields over a fairly
wide range of soil acidity. Lime applications are suggested when the soil
pH is 5.6 or below, or when calcium (Ca) levels are below 5 meq Ca/100g
of soil.
The rate
of lime application can be estimated from the following SMP buffer table:
If the SMP buffer* Apply this amount of
test for lime reads: lime (T/A):
Below 5.2 4-5
5.2 - 5.6 3-4
5.6 - 5.9 2-3
5.9 - 6.2 1-2
*Assumes extraction
procedures similar to those used by the OSU Central Analytical Laboratory.
Specific information on soil test procedures is available from the Dept.
of Crop and Soil Science. The liming rate is based on 100-score lime.
Lime should be mixed
into the soil at least several weeks before planting. A lime application
is effective over several years.
Some soils may have
a fairly high SMP buffer value (over 6.5) and a low pH (below 5.5). This
condition can be caused by the application of acidifying fertilizer. In
this case the low pH value is temporary and the pH of the soil will increase
as the fertilizer completes its reaction with the soil. This temporary "active"
acidity from fertilizer is encountered following recent applications of
most N fertilizer materials. Acidifying fertilizers also have a "long term"
acidifying effect on soil which is cumulative and leads to lower SMP buffer
readings.
Sandy soils to which
fertilizers have not been recently applied some- times record low pH and
high SMP buffer values. In such cases, a light application of 1-2 T/A of
lime should suffice to neutralize soil acidity.
For acid soils low in
Mg (less than 0.8 meq Mg/100g of soil), 1 T/A of dolomite lime can be used
as a Mg source. Dolomite and ground lime stone have about the same ability
to neutralize soil acidity.
The possibility of seedling
injury from the band application of fertilizer is less when the soil pH
is 5.6 or above. Some Willamette Valley experiments have shown decreased
uptake of phosphorus from band applications of phosphorus when the pH approaches
5.5.
Lime applications should
be broadcast, preferably in the fall, and incorporated into the seedbed.
Do not plow lime down leaving the surface soil unlimed.
Fertilizer Guide #3,
"Liming Materials for Oregon", which is available from your local OSU Extension
Office, provides additional information on lime.
These fertilizer recommendations
are based on research conducted by OSU Horticulture and Crop and Soil Science
faculty, and are quoted from OSU Fertilizer Guide FG 68.
Eastern
Oregon soils:
Nitrogen:
40-60 (N) lb/acre (banded at time of planting).
Just before
the vines begin to spread, side-dress with another 25-50 lb/acre of nitrogen.
Where mulching and trickle irrigation is used, nitrogen can be fed through
the trickle irrigation at 15-25 lb/acre when the vines begin to spread.
To prevent clogging or plugging from occurring use soluble forms of nitrogen
(Urea or Ammonium nitrate) and chlorinate the system once a month with
a l0-50 ppm chlorine solution. Chlorinate more frequently if the flow
rate decreases.
Phosphate:
115-125 (P2O5) lb/acre (banded at time of planting).
Potassium:
50-100 lb/acre as indicated by soil test. If any K is needed, broadcast
and disk-in prior to planting.
POLLINATION
It is recommended that
one honey bee hive should be introduced for every 1 to 2 acres during the
blooming period since naturally occurring bee populations may not be adequate,
or their activity may not coincide properly with the bloom period.
Pumpkins and winter
squash bear separate male and female flowers on the same plant (monoecious).
Bees transfer pollen from male to female flowers making fruit set possible.
Information from Michigan and New York indicates that pumpkin flowers need
8-10 visits per female flower for adequate pollination and that each female
flower is only receptive for about 24 hours. Research at OSU supports this
finding. Multiple pollinator visits are needed, with the number dependent
on crop, bee species, time of day, temperature, and other factors.
Although a pumpkin plant
will continue to form female flowers over a period of several weeks, delayed
pollination may also results in an undesired delayed maturity. Pumpkins
produce from 25-35 female flowers per plant and many male flowers. In large-fruited
pumpkins about 5% of the flowers need to be set to produce an economical
yield. In small-fruited varieties, as many as 40% of the female flowers
may need to be set for an economical yield. For more information on beehive
quality and pollination, see the OSU Publication PNW-245 Evaluating
Honey Bee Colonies for Pollination, A Guide for Growers and Beekeepers.
IRRIGATION
Pumpkins
and winter squash require uniform irrigation for optimum growth and yield.
Reduce irrigations as fruit reach harvest stage. A total of 12-15 inches
of water may be needed in western Oregon and 20-25 inches in eastern Oregon,
depending on seasonal variation, area and variety. Approximate summer
irrigation needs for the Hermiston area have been found to be: 3.5 inches
in May, 5.0 in June, 7.5 in July, and 7.0 in August.
See also
the OSU
Irrigation Guide for this crop.
HARVESTING, HANDLING, AND STORAGE
In the Willamette
Valley, Golden Delicious squash are harvested for processing from September
15 to October 31 from mid-May plantings. The prime harvest period is from
September 15 to October 15.
Processing
squash: Mechanical aids (tractor mounted V-shaped sweeps) are used
to windrow Golden Delicious squash for mechanized pick up and loading
into trucks for fruit inteded for processing. A mechanical butternut squash
harvester was developed by Gerald Malburg a Michigan grower in 1993. It
is reported capable of harvesting 20-25 tons per hour.
Fresh
market squash: All fresh market pumpkin and squash is harvested by
hand. Pumpkins can be harvested anytime after their rinds are hard and
their skins have turned orange, and the ground side has developed a yellow
color. Harvest before they are injured by freezing or too much rain. Extended
exposure (1-2 weeks) of pumpkins and winter squash to temperatures below
50 F. can result in chilling injury, and excessive decay in storage. Cut
pumpkins from the vines, leave 3-4 inches of stem attached to the fruit
since pumpkins without stems do not store well. Do not handle pumpkins
by their stem since they may easily break off.
Good yields of small
varieties range from 5 to 7 tons or 2000 to 4000 fruit per acre. Large pumpkins
may yield 10 to 20 tons or 1,000 to 2,000 fruit per acre.
Yields of specific varieties
of pumpkins and winter squash obtained from multiple year data from the
Dixon Springs Agricultural Research Center in Illinois:
Average yield Fruit Size
Variety Number/acre tons/A (lb)
Howden Field 2,400 22.9 19
Connecticut Field 1,300 11.7 18
Thomas Halloween 1,250 8.8 14
Jackpot 2,250 14.6 13
Trick or Treat 2,300 13.6 12
Spirit 3,600 19.8 11
Pankow's Field 2,200 12.1 11
Autumn Gold 5,150 23.2 9
Little Boo (white) 1,600 3.2 4
Spookie 5,800 10.2 4
Baby Pam 2,550 2.6 2
Mini Jack 5,200 3.9 1
Information from Michigan
indicates that in general, good to excellent yields of Halloween pumpkins
are generally 15 to 20 tons per acre.
Yield of seed from hulless
or naked-seeded pumpkins should range from 800 to 1500 pounds per acre.
Winter squash should
be harvested only when fully mature. Indications of maturity are a hard
rind and a solid exterior color. The acorn types are harvested when a yellow-orange
color has developed on the fruit where it is in contact with the soil. To
harvest, remove the stem completely from the fruit, and allow the stem scar
to dry before storing.
Yields of Hubbard, Marrow
and other large squash, pie pumpkins, acorn, butternut and summer squashes
would be 15-20 tons/A; gourds 4-5 tons/A; and buttercup squash are 10-15
tons/A.
Due to the wider spacings
needed for Kabocha squash, gross yields of this type of buttercup squash
would more likely be 5 to 10 tons/A of well colored fruit (see other comments
about yield in the section on SEEDING above). Data from the OSU experiment
station in Medford in 1988 obtained the following marketable yields of three
types of "Kabocha":
Variety tons/acre lb per fruit Culls tons/acre
Sweet Mama 16.0 4.42 9.1
Honey Delight 19.3 4.36 3.6
Kuryjiman 15.3 3.27 3.8
Kabocha squash is harvested
by cutting the stem and leaving 1 to 2 inches. Ideal fruit size is 3 to
6 lb.
Research (with muskmelons)
suggests that pumpkins and winter squash may benefit from being dipped in
135-140 F water for 3 minutes, and dried quickly before storage. Warm, wet
fruit are subject to invasion by micro-organisms, therefore drying and cooling
to the storage temperature should be done immediately following this treatment.
This hot water treatment surface sterilizes the fruit. No benefit has been
found from chlorination of the hot water, but gently wiping the surface
clean with 1 part household bleach in 10 parts of water may be helpful.
STORAGE (quoted from USDA Ag. Handbook #66):
Store at 50 to 55 F
and 50 to 70 % relative humidity. Pumpkins and winter squashes are placed
on racks, in bulk bins, or baskets and are held in ventilated or common
storage in production areas. Most cultivars of pumpkins do not keep as well
as hard-shelled winter squashes; both types of vegetables are subject to
chilling injury at low temperatures. Such cultivars of pumpkins as Connecticut
Field and Cushaw cannot be expected to hold in good condition more than
2 to 3 months at 50 to 55 F.
All winter squashes
should be well matured, carefully handled, and free from injury or decay
when stored. They should be kept dry, and storage rooms should have good
air circulation. Relative humidities of 50 to 70 % (60 % may be optimum)
are recommended for pumpkins and winter squashes, which are lower than those
recommended for most vegetables. Higher humidities promote decay and lower
humidities cause excess weight loss and texture deterioration.
Acorn-type squashes,
such as Table Queen, should keep 5 to 8 weeks at 50 F. At higher temperatures
60 to 70 F, Table Queen will lose greenness, become undesirably yellow,
and acquire a stringiness of the flesh in 5 weeks. At 32 to 40 F yellowing
does not occur but chilling does. Alternaria rot develops on chilled
squashes after their removal from storage.
The popular Butternut
squash should keep at least 2 to 3 months at 50 F. Often it is stored for
longer periods, but spoilage and shrinkage increase. Weight loss should
be kept below 15% to minimize development of hollow neck, and a relative
humidity of 50% is recommended.
Kabocha, Turban and
Buttercup squashes should keep at least 3 months under good conditions.
Since kabocha squash intended for export must meet stringent skin color
and other quality standards, kabocha intended for export should be handled
as per the export company specifications.
Hubbard squash, if in
good condition initially, can be successfully stored 6 months at 50 to 55
F with 70% relative humidity. A 15% loss in weight from shrinkage for 6
months storage would be average.
A 10 to 20 day curing
period at 75 to 80 F before storage is sometimes recommended for pumpkins
and winter squashes. However, experiments in New York showed that a preliminary
curing for 3 weeks at 80 F before storage to heal mechanical injuries and
to ripen immature specimens was unnecessary. Curing Butternut, Hubbard,
and Quality squashes was of no value but not harmful, whereas curing Table
Queen was detrimental to skin color, texture, and taste. Cured Table Queen
also decayed more rapidly than uncured fruit.
Less rot will develop
in the Hubbard squash if stems are completely removed before storage. Hubbard
squash and other dark-green-skinned squashes should not be stored near apples,
as the ethylene from apples may cause the skin to turn orange-yellow. Black
rot, dry rot, and bacterial soft rot are the principal causes of spoilage
of winter squashes in storage.
PACKAGING
Winter Squash
- hard types: 42-lb (l-l/9 bushel) crates; 800 to 900-lb bulk bin cartons,
collapsible and reusable; 900 to 2000-lb various bulk bins.
Pumpkins:
commonly packaged in various size crates and weights or shipped in bulk
truck loads.
INSECT CONTROL FOR PUMPKIN AND SQUASH
THE INSECTICIDES
LISTED BELOW, TAKEN FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST INSECT CONTROL HANDBOOK,
ARE FOR INFORMATION ONLY, AND ARE REVISED ONLY ANNUALLY. BECAUSE OF CONSTANTLY
CHANGING LABELS, LAWS, AND REGULATIONS, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY CAN ASSUME
NO LIABILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF USE OF CHEMICALS SUGGESTED HERE.
IN ALL CASES, READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
ON THE SPECIFIC PESTICIDE PRODUCT LABEL.
USE PESTICIDES SAFELY!
Wear protective clothing
and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each
use.
Read the pesticide label--even
if you've used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on
the label (and any other directions you have).
Be cautious when you
apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator.
You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.
Proper rotations and
field selection can minimize problems with insects.
Insect and Description Control, Active Ingredient/Acre
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bean aphid, endosulfan - 0.5 to 1 lb
Aphis fabae
Melon aphid, malathion - 1 to 1.75 lb
Aphis gossypii
Potato aphid, Metasystox-R - 0.37 - 0.5 lb
Macrosiphum euphorbiae
Dibrom - 1 to 2 lb
Black, yellow, green, or pinkish
plant lice. Feed on foliage. M-Pede, 1-2% solution, see label
diazinon - 0.5 to 0.75 lb
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nitidulid beetles Chemicals previously
different species used for control are no
longer registered for use.
Shiny black beetles 3/32 inch
long. Pollen-seeking adults
damage flowers. Browned flowers
are unattractive to pollinators.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seedcorn maggot Seed Treatment
Delia platura Lorsban 50 SL - 1 oz ai/100
lb of seed
Small, legless larva feeds on (Pumpkins only)
and destroys germinating seeds.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slugs metaldehyde baits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spider mites Kelthane 35W - 0.6 lb spray
Tetranychus spp.
M-Pede, 1-2% solution, see label
Tiny, spiderlike animals feed on
undersides of foliage and cause
yellowing and browning of leaves.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cucumber beetles including methoxychlor - 1 to 3 lb
Striped cucumber beetle
Acalymma trivittatum Dibrom - 1 lb
Small, slender, greenish-yellow carbaryl - 1 lb
beetles with three prominent
stripes on back. Larvae feed endosulfan - 0.5 to 1 lb
on roots and underground
parts of the stem. Asana - 0.03 to 0.05 lb
Western spotted cucumber beetle malathion - 1.75 lb
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
permethrin - 0.1 to 0.2 lb
Yellowish-green, black-spot- pumpkins only
ted beetle. Damage usually
limited to young plants.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squash bug trichlorfon - 1 lb
Anasa tristis (pumpkins only)
Large, grayish, sucking in- carbaryl - 1 lb. Very
sects. Adults and nymphs kill hazardous to pollinating bees.
leaves and vines. Apply dust
Around base of plant. Avoid Asana - 0.03 to 0.05 lb
dusting foliage if possible.
permethrin - 0.1 to 0.2 lb
pumpkins only
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireworms diazinon - 3 to 4 lb active
Limonius spp. ingredient. Broadcast the
granules or emulsifiable
formulations evenly on the
Brown, jointed larvae of click soil surface, incorporate
beetles. Kill young plants, into the top 4-8 inches of
weaken older ones. soil. (squash only)
Telone II or C-17 - preplant
For
updates on above information and authors, please click on osu.orst.edu/Dept/NWREC/vegindex.html
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