Pumpkin Loaf: description and characteristics of the variety, reviews of summer residents with photos

Pumpkin Loaf is a prominent representative of melon culture. Due to the good yield and usefulness of the product, the species is appreciated by Russian gardeners. To get a good return on fruit, it is recommended to learn in advance about the nuances of growing a variety.

Variety description

Karavai is an early productive variety of pumpkins. The first fruits are obtained after 90-100 days from the moment the first shoots appear. Bushes have medium climbing.

Fruits have a rounded chalmoid shape.The average weight of one vegetable varies from 1.7 to 4 kg. Pumpkin bark of medium thickness protects well from external mechanical influences, there are weakly expressed longitudinal light stripes on the outer surface. The pulp has a bright orange color, crumbly structure. The distinctive quality of the variety is the sweet taste of the vegetable with a rich aroma of melon.

The variety has high yields. On average, during the growing season, from 13 to 17 kg are removed from one plant. A feature of the fruit is its good storage capacity, which preserves the taste and richness of the aroma of vegetables.

Growing

In the Russian regions, the variety is grown in seedlings to obtain an earlier harvest and provide the necessary time for fruit ripening. Sowing of planting material begins in April. In areas with a warm climate, seeds are planted in pre-prepared soil in May or June. The recommended depth for planting seeds in the soil is a distance of 4 to 6 cm.

When planting at a permanent growing site, the recommended planting pattern should be followed. The geometry is determined so that the rule of maintaining a distance of 60 × 60 cm is maintained. Planting is carried out when the plant has 3 or 4 true leaves and there is no threat of frost. At the same time, the soil should warm up to 14 C.

In conditions of insufficiency of the territory, a vertical method of cultivation is practiced. In this case, the lashes are provided with vertical support, and the fruits are tied up or placed in a net at the time of ripening.

Features of care

To obtain high yields of pumpkin fruits, it is important to ensure regular watering and provide the plant with the necessary amount of minerals through periodic top dressing. The first is carried out after 10 days from the moment the plant was planted in a permanent place. It is necessary to choose a sunny area for cultivation; with a lack of light, the fruits will be small and low-sugar.

In order for the plant to grow strong and be able to deliver the right amount of nutrition to the fruits, it is necessary to pinch the growth point of each of the lashes in a timely manner, which is done on day 60.

Do not over-moisten the soil, as in this case melons form large fruits, but inside they will be empty and the pulp of vegetables will be tasteless without the proper sugar content. At first, watering is limited and resumed in full until the fruits reach the size of an apple, otherwise the nutrition will go to the greens.

After the fruits of the proper size appear, all the leaves that cover the vegetables from the sun are removed. When forming additional shoots with pumpkins, the stem is powdered to allow the formation of additional roots.

Pros and cons

Sweet loaf pumpkin is famous for its good yields and unpretentious care. The culture is not afraid of drought and has a high immunity to various diseases and pests.

The main advantage is the taste and rich composition of the fruit. Due to the rich content of nutrients, nutritionists recommend this product for baby and diet food. It is especially useful to use pumpkin in the presence of the following diseases:

cardiovascular disease;
problem of functioning of the liver and kidneys;
prone to gallstone disease;
with problems in the digestive system, including hyperacidity and chronic inflammation.

Regular consumption of pumpkin helps reduce the problem of hypertension. Due to the rich content of fiber, when using the product, the body is cleansed of toxins.

Pests and diseases

The pumpkin variety has good immunity, and the risks of phytoinfections in such plants are minimized. The most common diseases are bacteriosis and powdery mildew.

During bacteriosis, dark green spots appear on the leaves, which eventually dry out and crumble, which leads to the formation of holes on the leaf plates. To prevent the disease, seeds are treated with 0.02% zinc sulfate before planting.

With powdery mildew, whitish spots appear on the leaves, which eventually completely cover the entire surface of the plate. In this case, spraying with sodium, phosphate solution or based on colloidal sulfur is used.

Harvest and storage of crops

Fruits are harvested after the first frost. The maturity of a pumpkin can be determined by pressing on the bark. The finished vegetable, when pressed on the surface with a fingernail, is not pressed through, which is a signal that it is possible to harvest. Store vegetables in a dark, cool room.

Reviews of gardeners

Anastasia, 42:

“We have been growing pumpkins for many years, constantly trying new varieties. The loaf pleased with its yield and unusual taste of the pulp, along with the sugar taste, there is a slight melon flavor. Ideal for purees and porridges.”

Miroslava, 24:

"Productive variety with large fruit size. Excellent taste qualities in comparison with varieties of analogues. Among the shortcomings, I note the need for a rather large area to accommodate many lashes. ”