Listening to talk radio this morning I heard someone grew a pumpkin this year that weighed 2,346 pounds! This is not the largest pumpkin ever but the guy also won $20,000 bucks in the process! Yes, there is a world of competitive giant pumpkin growing and they keep getting bigger and bigger. Pumpkins and Winter Squash Pumpkins and winter squashes are warm season crops that are grown using similar methods. The term “pumpkin” is often used for anything that is round and orange, while the term “squash” is used for an edible fruit of some other shape or color. The term “gourd” is used for various shapes and sizes of fruit used for decoration. Most pumpkins are either Cucurbita pepo or Cucurbita maxima species, while most squashes are Cucurbita pepo. Some winter squashes are Cucurbita moschata or Cucurbita argyrosperma. Most pumpkins have been developed for their ornamental qualities, although some varieties have been developed for pies or for hull-less seeds. Winter squashes are primarily for culinary purposes, although many have attractive ornamental characteristics as well.
Species of Squash and Pumpkins. Pumpkins, squash, and gourds are closely related crops that are members of the Cucurbit or vine crop family. There are four species of the genus Cucurbita used as vegetables, and crossing can occur within species only. Cross pollination, however, will only influence the crop if you save your own seed for next year’s crop.
The four species are listed below with some common varieties for each species. Only varieties within species will cross with each other
• Cucurbita pepo. Most jack-o-lantern pumpkins, zucchini, yellow summer squash, scallop or patty pan squash, acorn squash, most small, yellow-flowered gourds.
• Cucurbita maxima. Large pumpkins (Big Max, Atlantic Giant), hubbard squash, buttercup squash, delicata squash, Turk’s Turban squash.
• Cucurbita moschata. Dickinson field pumpkin, Kentucky field, butternut squash.
• Cucurbita argyrosperma. (formerly Cucurbita mixta) Green-striped cushaw, sweet potato squash, Japanese pie pumpkins
Pumpkins produce large, sprawling vines that take up a lot of space in the garden. Some pumpkin varieties are bush or semi-vining types that take less space but still spread. Numerous varieties exist that range widely in size, color, shape, eating quality, and other characteristics. Most decorative types are not flavorful for eating purposes.
For winter squashes, Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita argyrosperma types are often more resistant to squash bugs and squash vine borers than other types and can be a good choice if insect pressure is a concern. Many types of winter squashes have newer varieties with smaller fruit size that make a meal for one or two people. Newer varieties include a few bush-types of winter squash that are good for small gardens.
