The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Cucurbita maxima. This antique French heirloom, popular in the 1800's has flat shiny red-orange fruits with narrow deep ribbed sections and rough, bumpy skin. These can grow up to 40lbs and are beautiful and decorative. The flesh (rich in vitamin A) is flavorful and great for cooking and pies. The large seeds are good for toasting, and a good source of protein and vitamin B.[1]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
Planting Season
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 70+ F | Rich, fertile | Once a week, or as needed. Avoid overwatering or watering leaves. |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 4-6" | 40-56 |
- Additional instructions: Choose a location where the vines will have plenty of space to ramble. You can direct the vines where you want them to go when the plants are young; however, once they become established and begin to flower, the vines should be left alone. For larger pumpkins, remove all but 1 or 2 pumpkins per plant. Hand pollination is recommended.[3] [4]
- Harvesting instructions: Allow fruits to reach full size before picking. Place mulch or straw under the pumpkins to keep them off of the soil. Cut from the plant just before the fall frosts, keeping 2" of stem attached. The skin should be firm.[1]
Common Diseases and Pests
- Pests: aphids and slugs
- Disease: powdery mildew, downy mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus
Useful Resources
- https://bbbseed.com/product/pumpkin-cinderella-org/ (seed source)
- http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/vegetables/vegetable-planting-chart/
- https://www.seedsavers.org/grow-squash
- https://gardenbeast.com/how-to-grow-pumpkins/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.