How to distinguish seedlings of zucchini from pumpkin: what is the difference between sprouts

Beginner gardeners often cannot tell the difference between seedlings of different crops. Planting markings help to avoid such problems, but sometimes they also fail because they are lost or washed away. Therefore, it is so important to know how to distinguish seedlings of zucchini from pumpkins. This can be done by a number of signs - shoots and foliage. There is also some difference between seeds.

Description of zucchini seeds

To get seedlings of the desired variety, it is important to be able to distinguish the seeds. The following features are characteristic of squash grains:

• elongated oval shape with a characteristic spout;
• small size - it is 1-2 centimeters;
• thin peel;
• pale shade without yellowish coloration;
• thin shell that easily splits into 2 halves with fingers;
• a small bezel around the edge.

Description of pumpkin seeds

It is important to choose the right seeds for pumpkin sprouts. Their main features include the following:

• round shape;
• yellow color;
• rough shell - hard to crush with fingers;
• large sizes - the length of the seeds reach 2-3 centimeters;
• fast germination.

In order not to confuse the seed material, immediately after collection and drying, they must be decomposed into individual bags. They indicate the name of the culture and the date of collection. This simple method avoids confusion during planting.

Distinctive signs of seedlings

To determine the variety of seedlings growing on the site, it is worth more carefully studying the appearance of young crops. Each of them is characterized by its own distinctive features.

Zucchini seedlings have long cotyledon leaves and elongated light green stems. Pumpkin sprouts have a thicker, squat stem. They are characterized by a rich green tint. Pumpkin also has large and rough foliage.

It should be borne in mind that these signs are not one hundred percent reliable. For example, some varieties are characterized by large and coarse leaves. They may not be bushy, but trail like a pumpkin. In this case, you should wait until the fruit appears.

Distinguishing features of leaves

Plants can be easily distinguished by the appearance of the leaves.Zucchini are bushy plants that have a straight and thick stem. Their foliage forms a dense sprawling rosette above the flowers and fruits. The pumpkin has a powerful aerial part, which includes the main creeping stem and side shoots in the form of lashes.

However, the foliage has some differences. Pumpkin is characterized by rounded leaves of a bright green hue. But sometimes they have a five-lobed or heart-shaped shape. The petioles are 12-30 centimeters long and are characterized by a regular arrangement. The whole organ of the plant is covered with thorns.

To determine the culture, it is important to know the pumpkin variety. This affects the shape of the leaf plate. So, the following options are possible:

• large-fruited varieties feature rounded and cupped foliage;
• hard bark variety has five-lobed foliage;
• Muscat varieties are characterized by heart-shaped leaves that have deep cuts.

The total foliage area of one plant reaches 30 square meters. This helps to store plenty of water and nutrients.

Zucchini leaves are a few shades lighter. At the same time, they are characterized by pronounced venation. Zucchini is characterized by five-lobed leaf plates. They are usually quite heavily indented. The edges are serrated. The top of the foliage is covered with coarse fluff.

Zucchini leaves are considered the most dissected. They are characterized by a sequential arrangement and long straight petioles. The plates are quite large, reaching 20 centimeters.

An important difference between cultures is the appearance in the axils of 6-7 pumpkin leaves of branched tendrils that spread over the site. Modern hybrid varieties of squash and zucchini are characterized by the presence of white and gray spots on the foliage.

How to distinguish mature plants

Many people are interested in how exactly one plant differs from another. These cultures have characteristic features. Zucchini has the following distinctive features:

• compact bush shape;
• a small number of lashes - while they are thin and short and do not form roots;
• small five-lobed carved leaves;
• sequential arrangement of leaves.

At the same time, pumpkins are characterized by the following features:

• sprawling bush form;
• long lashes with root formation;
• large oval leaves.

It is also possible to distinguish one plant from another at the flowering stage. Zucchini flowers are always located in the central part of the bush.In this case, the pumpkin flowers are placed along the main stem. There are some differences in the size of the flowers. In pumpkin, they are much larger than in zucchini.

Ways not to confuse fruits

Plants have completely different fruits. Pumpkins are characterized by round and large fruits. They are yellow or orange in color. From above, the pumpkin is covered with a hard and often embossed bark. Inside is a juicy sweet pulp. It has a richer color compared to the skin. Seminal cavity is loose.

Zucchini have oval, pear-shaped or cylindrical fruits. The patisson has an unusual shape. The standard shade is light green. However, there are varieties that have yellow and dark green bark. The flesh is always light. Vegetables have an inexpressive taste and an elastic texture. At the stage of technical maturity, the fruits have a thin bark that can be easily cut.

Common mistakes beginner gardeners make and how to avoid them

The most common mistake novice gardeners make is planting zucchini and pumpkins side by side. Plants are best spaced at least 20 meters apart. In this case, it is desirable to place a third culture between them. If you use the seeds of plants planted nearby, next year there will be fruits of a different shape and taste. In this case, the zucchini will become more round and acquire a hard peel. The color of their flesh may also change. Pumpkin, on the contrary, will become lighter and oval. In addition, it will acquire a neutral taste.

There is also a risk of changing the appearance of the seeds. At the same time, they will lose their visual differences. Vegetables will become something in between. Such selection is considered undesirable because it will lead to the complete loss of the crop.

To preserve the variety, it is important to strictly adhere to the rules of planting and avoid cross-breeding. Thanks to this, you will always get he althy vegetables with the desired taste and color.

Another problem for beginner gardeners is planting confusion. Many when growing seedlings simply sign the pots. However, under the influence of water, the inscriptions are erased. In order not to confuse the bushes, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Seeds collected by yourself should be packed in paper bags and be sure to sign the type of vegetable, its variety and year of collection. Seeds are suitable for planting for 6-8 years.
2. Sign pots. This is especially true when growing seedlings in the same room.
3. Seedlings of zucchini and pumpkins should be planted in a container that differs in appearance. Pumpkin is characterized by a stronger root system. Therefore, it is permissible for her to use plastic cups. At the same time, it is recommended to plant zucchini in peat tablets or pots.
4. It is possible to identify vegetables as precisely as possible at the stage of formation of cotyledon leaves. If a mistake was made during the selection of seed material, it is worth changing the labeling of the pots.
5. In order not to confuse the plants, plant the seeds in a pot one at a time. If a mistake was made at the selection stage, this will later prevent the appearance of different plants in one container.
6. Even at home, seedlings of crops are forbidden to be placed nearby. Before transplanting into open soil, it may be pollinated. Labeling avoids confusion and keeps the variety pure.

Zucchini and pumpkins are considered common and useful plants that are grown by many gardeners. At the same time, it is important to be able to distinguish cultures from each other so as not to plant them side by side. This can be done by the appearance of bushes, leaf plates, flowers. There is also a difference in the shape and color of the fruit.

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