Pumpkin Matilda: description and characteristics of the variety, yield with photo

Pumpkin Matilda f1 was bred by Dutch breeders (agrofirm Enza Zaden). Gardeners in more than 90 countries plant it on their plots. It is characterized by unpretentiousness to weather conditions and care, as well as high yields.

Characteristic

Matilda f1 - early ripe hybrid. The ripening period of the first fruits begins approximately 100-105 days after the seeds are planted in the ground. This plant has a strong bush. Liana stems reach a length of about 4-4.5 meters. On one bush, 8-9 fruits weighing 2-3 kg can grow. To ensure a higher pumpkin weight, it is recommended to cut off the flowers, leaving no more than 3-4 ovaries on one plant.

The description emphasizes that this is a fairly productive hybrid, with 1 m² you can collect up to 15 kg of fruit. Pumpkin varieties Matilda f1 can be in the form of a pear, an elongated club, or be in the form of a fruit with a constriction. The top skin is quite thick. It can be pink to mustard. The ribbing is more pronounced near the stem.

The pulp of this hybrid is oily with a bright orange color. When cut, the ripened fruit emits a pleasant nutty aroma. This pumpkin has a high taste. Unripe fruit pulp is pale without a characteristic aftertaste.

The seed chamber is located in the wide part of the pumpkin. The number of seeds is minimal, in some fruits they are absent.

Purpose of fruits

Pumpkin Matilda is used for making cereals, soups or for baking. Delicious desserts are obtained from its pulp. It's perfect for stuffing. It is also added to the dough intended for baking.

The positive sides of the pumpkin and its disadvantages

Judging by the reviews of gardeners, this vegetable meets the stated characteristics. But in order to get a richer harvest, a number of agrotechnical measures should be provided.

The most characteristic virtues of Matilda f1:

• high yield even at low air temperatures;
• excellent taste;
• ability to withstand temperature extremes;
• early ripening;
• minimum number of seeds per fruit;
• disease resistance.

The taste of most pumpkin varieties is affected by weather conditions and ambient temperature, but Matilda will delight under any conditions.

This hybrid has only one drawback - the inability to independently obtain Matilda pumpkin seeds for their subsequent sowing in your garden.

Agricultural rules

With the observance of the methods of agricultural technology provided for this type of vegetable, high yields are harvested. The main principles of growing pumpkins:

• beds should be located in a sunny area;
• in areas with cool climatic conditions, pumpkin is grown using seedlings;
• requires timely weeding, fertilizing and watering.

It should also be borne in mind that pumpkin will not show high yields on infertile soils. It grows well on compost heaps or in specially constructed "warm" beds.

The soil for the pumpkin is prepared in autumn. They dig it up and apply the following fertilizers per 1 m 3 ^{2: rotted manure (5-6 kg), superphosphate (about 50 g).}

How to properly prepare the seeds before planting?

Matilda f1 pumpkin seeds do not require pre-planting preparation, because the seeds of any hybrids are sold after preparation for sowing.

Shallow containers of different sizes are used for growing seedlings. Seeds are sown in the last days of April. But for different regions, this time depends on climatic conditions.

The main conditions for planting seedlings in the ground are reaching the age of 3-4 weeks, as well as warming up the soil to a temperature of + 14-15 degrees. It is desirable that by the time the seedlings are planted in the ground there is no likelihood of frost returning. Planting Matilda in the southern regions is carried out by seeds directly on open beds.

Required Care

Before planting in the ground, pumpkin seedlings are hardened for 1 week. For this purpose, containers with plants are taken out to the terrace or loggia. Hardening is carried out gradually, starting to take the seedlings out into the open air for 2-3 hours, gradually increasing this time.

Seedlings are planted in the ground 1 meter apart, the same distance is left between the rows. With a more dense planting, plants may lack nutrients. A dense planting interferes with the free growth of vines, which affects the yield of the hybrid. In addition, pests may appear on dense plantings, or the plant will become sick.

Irrigation mode

Planted pumpkin seedlings are watered immediately. The next watering is carried out only after 10 days. This stimulates the growth and development of the root system. Subsequently, watering is carried out once a week.

Water consumption per 1 m² - 5-6 liters. After the flowering of the pumpkin and the pouring of the fruits, watering is carried out after about 4-5 days, 10 liters of liquid per 1 m 3 ^{2. Water should be poured under the root so that the spray does not fall on the leaves and flowers.}

Some make a furrow around the plant to fill it with water. This allows not only to use it economically, but also contributes to the maximum access of moisture to the root system.

Feeding

During the season, 2-3 feeding of the planted pumpkin is carried out. At the same time, mineral fertilizers, ash and mullein are introduced. On soils with insufficient fertility, the amount of top dressing can be increased. Before the flowers appear, the pumpkin is fed with nitrogen fertilizers, and after the appearance of the ovary, phosphate and potash fertilizers are applied.

Excessive amount of fertilizer will also negatively affect the development of the vegetable. In this case, there may be excessive growth of green mass, and a small amount of the formation of flowers and ovaries.

Harvesting

Ripe fruits are harvested in mid-August. To determine the maturity of the fruit, first of all, you need to pay attention to the color of the peel, it should have a typical color for this hybrid. The stem completely dries up and hardens, and the stems turn yellow and dry out.

Harvested fruits can be stored for about 4 months. Many note that after 2-3 months, the pumpkin acquires a richer taste and aroma.

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