You will either hate or love this pumpkin but if you put it on your doorstep at Halloween you will be sure to turn heads or perhaps scare some trick or treaters away. It’s the warts that do it; they make the pumpkin look disgusting, repulsive or so ugly it’s cute, depending on your point of view. The warts, of course, aren’t warts at all. They are caused by he build up of sugar in the skin. The pumpkin starts out green like other pumpkins, becomes pink, and then slowly develops the peanut shell like warts as it matures and turns dark salmon colored. As a result, you can harvest these beauties in various colors and stages of wartiness. Known in France since the 19th century, it is valued there for its fine flavor and texture. The cooked flesh is very sweet and smooth and is used for soups and sauces.
Days to Harvest: 80-100 days (pick early to avoid cracking)
Planting Date: After first frost when soil is warm or start in peat pots in 3 weeks before planting out.
Spacing: Plant seed one inch deep in hills of 6-8 seed and thin to 3-4 plants; space hills 6’ apart.
Germination: 10-14 days
Size: 10-20 lbs
Light: Full sun
Water: Keep evenly moist
Soil: Rich, compost enriched, well-drained.
Fertilizer: Feed with a complete fertilizer twice before the vines spread too thickly to reach the roots
Care: Cut pumpkins from the vines at the desired stage leaving a 3-4” stem on the fruit. Do not wash the fruit before storing. The flavor of fruits harvested early will improve by storing. Fruits store well.
Pests and Diseases: Vine borer, mildew (late in the season),
Suitability for containers: Not suitable.
Ooh! I hate it! Its so ugly!