Round zucchini: description of the best varieties, cultivation and yield with photos

The peculiarity of round zucchini is that they are ideal for stuffing. Such an original dish will decorate any table. The process of growing them is as simple as that of ordinary zucchini, difficulties can only arise when choosing a variety. To prevent this from happening, consider varieties of round-shaped zucchini.

History of Appearance

Some people are still wondering if there are varieties of large zucchini. However, when searching for information, there are many types of rounded varieties that resemble a pumpkin in appearance.

The first zucchini were bred in Mexico and already at the beginning of the 16th century began to actively spread throughout Europe. Representatives of the "pumpkin" have become a favorite dish of Europeans, so more and more gardeners began to plant crops. Today, there are many varieties of round zucchini that differ in taste, shape and appearance.

Appearance dimensions

In appearance, rounded zucchini is more like a pumpkin or a small watermelon. Overgrown fruits reach 2-3 kg, but for cooking it is better to select fruits whose weight is not more than two hundred grams, and the diameter is not more than 15 cm.

Mature large-fruited zucchini are characterized by a dense skin, due to which they are stored for a long time in winter. All varieties of round zucchini tolerate the Russian climate well, so their yield is high. The culture does not require special care, enough feeding, weeding and watering.

Taste

Round zucchini have good taste. They are tender and juicy in taste, without large seeds. Some of the varieties are characterized by a sweetish taste.

Composition and calorie content

100 grams of round zucchini contains 24 kcal, which makes it a low-calorie vegetable.

Pumpkin is very useful for the body, they contain structured water, which improves the activity of the digestive tract, normalizes all digestive processes. In addition, round zucchini contains such useful components:

• potassium;
• calcium;
• copper;
• zinc;
• vitamins A, B1, C, PP;
• phosphorus;
• sodium;
• iron;
• manganese;
• fiber;
• dietary fiber and more.

All these substances are extremely useful for the body: they stimulate the intestines, remove unnecessary toxins, reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, activate metabolic processes.

Advantages and disadvantages of round zucchini

Round zucchini are low in calories and are a storehouse of vitamins and nutrients. Unlike oblong "pumpkin", they are more widely used in cooking. Due to their attractive shape, they are most often used for baking and stuffing. They are also used to make meatballs, jams, stews and much more.

Useful properties of round zucchini are supplemented by the fact that they are extremely useful for pregnant women, as they have a beneficial effect on bowel function.

Often, zucchini is used in cosmetology. They are added to face masks that moisturize dry skin for a long time.

Round gourds do not require special care and are not whimsical to the ground. No deficiencies were found for this crop.

Varieties and hybrids of round marrows

All varieties of zucchini are divided into large, small, and hybrids. Large pumpkins, as a rule, weigh at least 1 kilogram. Therefore, for cooking, it is better to pick young fruits before they reach large sizes. There is a wide variety of large round varieties. These include:

1. The ball. This is an early ripe variety that matures in 50 days. The culture has medium-sized leaves of light green color.The weight of zucchini is about 1 kg, the color is spotty, light green. According to external characteristics, the "Ball" resembles a watermelon. The pulp of zucchini is juicy, with a minimum number of small seeds. The variety is characterized by resistance to powdery mildew and putrefactive processes.
2. Watermelon. Another variety that, according to external characteristics, resembles a watermelon. Full ripening of fruits occurs in autumn. This is a high-yielding crop that produces up to 20 fruits in one bush. Since the Watermelon variety is woven and covers several meters of area, its cultivation area must be extensive. Fruits reach a weight of 3 kg, and the diameter of young fruits is 9-15 cm.
3. Hospitable mother-in-law. The culture is characterized by flattened rounded fruits and a light green color, which turns white when ripe. The flesh of this variety is very tender. The weight of the fetus varies from 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms. Up to 10 fruits can be tied on one plant at the same time. Recommended for processing into caviar, canning and home cooking.
4. Sailor. Early maturing variety. The fruits are light green in color with a spotty ribbed surface. Ripening takes 40 days. Fruits weigh up to 1 kg. White pulp has a delicate taste. The yield is 5 kg per 1 square meter. Can be grown in all regions.
5. Boatswain. Early maturing variety. Against the background of other species, it stands out for its impressive yield and solid appearance of fruits. The ripening period takes 40-45 days. The fruits grow up to 3 kg, sometimes up to 4. The pulp has a pronounced squash taste and a light green color. Ripe boatswain is easily stored all winter.
6. Kolobok. Another early ripe variety, the ripening period of which takes 40 days. Light-loving culture that does not require much space. The mass of fruits usually does not exceed 1 kg. It is best to use unripe zucchini with a diameter of 10 cm. Gingerbread Man resembles a pumpkin in both taste and appearance. Can be grown in any region.

Small varieties

Small-fruited zucchini are characterized by high yields. The fruits grow abundantly, so they are enough for cooking and canning. In small zucchini, a very tender peel and a minimum of seeds. Small-fruited crops include:

1. Tintoretto. According to external characteristics, the variety resembles the Russian vegetable marrow Myachik, only more early (40 days), and with small fruits (up to 600 g on average). The variety belongs to zucchini, simultaneously sets up to 6 fruits and grows in a compact bush. The flesh tastes sweet and juicy.
2. Orange. A miniature shrub that does not take up much space in the garden. The yield is average. At the same time, up to 5 fruits grow with a maximum size of 15 cm. It is important to pick the fruits unripe, in this form they are rich in vitamins and have a delicate taste. If the zucchini is overripe, it becomes unsuitable for cooking, as the layer of pulp becomes thinner, and coarse seeds occupy the entire middle.
3. Cook. Early ripe variety with a yield of 10 kg per 1 square meter. Ripening lasts 40-43 days. The fruits are characterized by a light green color and juicy pulp. Grown by direct sowing in the ground, as well as seedlings. The maximum fruit weight does not exceed 300 g. Seeds germinate best at a temperature of 25-30 degrees.

Hybrids

Zucchini hybrids are suitable for preservation, squash caviar and all types of cooking. Hybrids include the following varieties:

1. Burzhunin F Early maturing variety, ripening period is 45 days. The bush is characterized by power and abundance of flowers. The grade has good productivity, a trade dress and round fruits. Zucchini is dark green, their weight reaches 3 kg. The variety is suitable for growing in a greenhouse and open ground. The optimal sowing time is May. The variety needs proper watering, nutrition, temperature and lighting.The yield is 10 kg per 1 square meter.
2. Festival F A hybrid variety with an ornamental appearance and excellent taste. The diameter of the fruit reaches 15 cm. The surface of the zucchini is covered with white-green stripes, where the green color is replaced by yellow as it ripens. The culture is perfectly stored (up to 1 year) without loss of taste. The attractive appearance of the variety should also be noted.

Foreign varieties

Foreign varieties include:

1. Tondo di Piacenza. Mid-season variety originally from Italy. It takes 50 days to mature. It is intended for crops in an open ground. Unripe fruits with a diameter of 10 cm have a special taste. They can be consumed fresh.
2. Ronde de Nice. Early maturing native of France. It takes 40 days to mature. The fruits are light green in color with a thin skin and 12-15 cm in diameter. In order for the yield to be high, the first fruits should be plucked as early as possible. Unripe fruits are best for cooking.

Growing and care

Round zucchini are not whimsical to care for and need only standard procedures: soil preparation, soil loosening, weeding, watering.

Soil preparation

Before planting, prepare the soil: fertilize with humus, sawdust or peat, add some mineral fertilizers (wood ash or superphosphate). The plot for zucchini is well dug up and cleared of all kinds of weeds and beetle larvae.

Depending on the variety of zucchini, the seeds are sown in open ground or planted in seedlings.

Planting from seeds

When open sowing, holes are made up to 5 cm deep, at a distance of 70 cm from each other. 2-4 seeds are planted in each hole. If several seeds sprout at once, only one shoot is left.

You can speed up the germination process of seeds by soaking them in a mineral fertilizer or growth stimulant solution.

Planting seedlings

Seedlings are being prepared for an earlier harvest. To do this, the seeds are sown in pots with soil 1 month before planting in the ground. Seedlings need to be fertilized with a solution of mullein or minerals. If the soil is of poor quality, it is necessary to fertilize 2 times. Seedlings are planted in previously prepared soil along with a clod of earth, this will not damage the roots.

Irrigation scheme

You can water infrequently, but plentifully. The optimal watering regime is 1 time in 10 days. The water should not be cold, otherwise the young ovaries will be damaged. When the first fruits appear, the volume of water is increased by 2 times. Watering is stopped a week before harvest, this will preserve the rich taste of zucchini.

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