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Zucchini is a rather unique plant. Some consider it to be a very simple undemanding crop with a common taste. The enthusiastic exclamations of dieters are sometimes heard. And many people know this vegetable as an original decoration and a useful component of culinary masterpieces. There are many picturesque and elegant varieties of zucchini, in other words, decorative.
Growing zucchini is carried out according to certain general rules of agricultural technology, but some varieties have their own characteristics. This applies to the planting scheme, the nuances of care and treatment, and the use in cooking. The ornamental squash belongs to the pumpkin family with very lush foliage and attractive bright flowers. This is how varieties that have unusual parameters began to be called. The shapes and sizes of fruits are so diverse that it is quite problematic to list everything. Each season, new species appear with improved properties and appearance. Lovers of aesthetics have received decorative varieties that are in no way inferior to ordinary zucchini in their nutritional value. But they have a huge advantage - beautiful fruits, which, after ripening, are often dried and stored for a long time. Decorative zucchini combines both beauty and benefits.
Ornamental varieties include zucchini with:
- unusual color;
- the original shape of the fruit.
The first type includes yellow-fruited, striped, dark green and other varieties with a color that differs from the classic.
Yellow-fruited outdoor decorations
Among the green foliage of garden crops, fruits of a bright yellow color look very good. A beautiful clear shape, bright color, a large number of fruits on the branches - it all looks like a flower bed. Yellow-fruited decorative zucchini serve not only as a nutritious and tasty addition to homemade dishes, but also as a worthy table decoration.
"Yellow-fruited"
Early ripe high-yielding decorative zucchini. The fruits are ready for consumption within 60 days after germination. Shrub plant with bright fruit color. Zucchini berries weigh about 1 kg, have a thin smooth skin and juicy flesh. A feature of the fruits of the decorative variety "Zheltoplodny" is a large amount of carotene in them. This makes the variety very useful. They are planted both by seedlings and by sowing in the ground. Loves a comfortable temperature regime - 24-34 ° С and fertile soil. The landing pattern is classic 60x60. Requires regular loosening.
"Golden scallop"
Mid-season decorative variety. The fruits reach ripeness in 65 days. Original, with a lumpy surface and a bright yellow color. The mass of one zucchini reaches two kilograms. The pulp is very tender and juicy, the fruits are suitable for fresh consumption. Refers to dietary products. The main advantages are excellent keeping quality and transportability. Seeds are sown in holes of 2-3 pcs. simultaneously, but thinned out in the phase of the first true leaf. One plant should remain in the hole. Landing scheme 70x70. Sowing for seedlings is carried out earlier in April.
"Yellow Banana F1"
An early ripe hybrid variety with a high yield. This ornamental squash has a strong, lash-free shrub with beautiful, lightened leaves. Smooth cylindrical fruits resemble bananas. Average weight of one -0.6 kg, length 40 cm. Variety with:
- disease resistance;
- great fruit set;
- good transportability;
- attractive view.
It has a firm and juicy flesh. It is used in cooking and for preparing blanks.
Originality of shape and color
Some varieties of decorative zucchini amaze with the simultaneous grace of appearance and variety of shape. For lovers, you can recommend the zucchini
"F1 Festival"
The marrow is super decorative. Fruits of an unusual round shape have a bright striped color, a bit like a pumpkin. The diameter of each reaches 15 cm. The pulp is tender, sweet. A wonderful hybrid variety with a long shelf life. This indicator is very important, because it is very problematic to keep zucchini for a long time. "F1 Festival" lasts for 10 months without losing its attractiveness and taste.
There are two ways to grow a hybrid variety of decorative zucchini - seedling and direct sowing into the ground. The plant must be mulched and watered regularly. It responds well to soil fertility.
"Pear-shaped"
In the photo there is an early variety of marrow, which, in addition to its nutritional value, can serve as a decorative decoration for a garden bed. The reason is the original fruit that resembles a pear. The size of a pear-shaped zucchini during ripeness is about 20 cm, weight - up to 1.2 kg. We get a large nutritious "pear" with dark orange pulp and fragrant aroma. Zucchini "Pear-shaped" has a huge advantage over the rest of the family. Its fruits are stored for a long time. Pear-shaped zucchini is used in cooking and homemade preparations.
"Lagenaria"
Another name for the vegetable is Vietnamese zucchini. The area of application is very wide. Unripe fruits (up to 60 cm long) are used in cooking. Overripe serve as raw materials for the manufacture of dishes, caskets. Various products are woven from long stems, oil is extracted from seeds. This decorative zucchini is also appreciated in medicine.
Lagenaria has its own characteristics:
- good stem growth - more than 15 m;
- long fruits - up to 1.5 m;
- large weight - up to 15 kg.
These parameters apply to mature fruits. But, small immature ones are very original and tasty. They have different shapes - in the form of a cylinder, pear, ball. It is recommended to grow zucchini in a seedling way, otherwise in cool regions you can not wait for the fruit to fully ripen. The growing season for lagenaria is 200 days. This is a large gap. Seeds are sown at the end of March in small seedling containers. It is better to germinate before sowing.
"Mandarin duck"
An early-ripening decorative variety of delicious zucchini, named after the color of the fruit. Bright "tangerines" can be consumed 40 days after sowing the seeds. As soon as the fruit reaches 15 cm in diameter, they must be plucked. They are very tasty raw, which is appreciated in dietetics. This decorative squash loves fertile soil, warmth and good light. Agricultural technology does not differ from the cultivation of other ornamental zucchini.
"Turkish turban"
Mushroom-shaped squash-pumpkin. An unusually beautiful multi-colored fruit with a nutty taste, a kind of decorative pumpkin. In addition to the decorative appearance, it has another worthy advantage - unpretentiousness and practicality during the growth period. A long stem vine will decorate an arch, a fence, a fence and create an original composition with beautiful flowers, leaves and mushroom fruits. You can collect the fruits of a decorative squash-pumpkin before frost. They are stored for a long time and serve as a decoration for the house, gazebos, garden.
The variety is grown in sunny places with good soil. It is necessary to loosen and nourish the soil during the growth of the decorative squash. Plants are planted at a distance of at least 90-100 cm. The seeds are germinated before sowing and suitable ones are selected. Ripe fruits are dried and used for compositions.
"Zebra"
Early ripe high-yielding beautiful decorative zucchini. During the period of growth, it decorates the garden, when it is ripe, it pleases with delicious dishes.The pulp is juicy, the fruits are smooth with a harmonious color. Can be consumed 40 days after planting. Main advantages:
- powdery mildew resistance;
- keeping quality;
- transportability.
There are no special requirements during the growing period. The bush is very compact, which allows you to create the desired composition in the garden and in the greenhouse. Suitable for growing outdoors and greenhouses. Fruits gain weight up to 1.2 kg. It is prized in dietetics for its excellent nutritional qualities and low calorie content.
"Two-color miracle"
A unique variety of decorative zucchini, bred by English breeders. Refers to curly zucchini. Liana reaches up to 10 m in length. The fruits are delicious. When planting, consider the size of the plant that can be used to braid the gazebo.
"The Amazing Giant"
Ultra-ripe, with a large reserve of vitality. Climbing variety decorative zucchini. Vines do not require shaping. The fruits are large, weighing 6-7 kg, stored for at least a year. The flesh is original orange and sweet. It tolerates cold, damp weather without reducing yields.
Why choose decorative varieties
Some gardeners believe that vegetables should only be beneficial for cooking and preparing meals. Connoisseurs of aesthetics are increasing their demands for the quality and appearance of varieties.
Ornamental zucchini is worth growing for several reasons:
- handsomely... Ornamental plants value original fruits, leaves, flowers. One zucchini, correctly selected for its qualities, can feed, refine a garden area, decorate an ordinary garden bed. The rapid growth of the plant makes it possible to use decorative zucchini for vertical gardening (climbing varieties) or for sowing in beautiful flowerpots (bush). Such flowerpots are suitable for decorating terraces, recreation areas, paths.
- Fun for the whole family... Even children will willingly agree to grow decorative zucchini. Unpretentiousness of plants and quick results attract kids to take care of small "pears", "striped whales" or "mushrooms".
- Design value... Ornamental zucchini varieties that can be dried have a long shelf life. Therefore, all season until the new harvest, they serve to embody creative ideas. In addition to decorating and composing compositions, many make crafts from dried decorative zucchini - flowerpots, candlesticks, caskets.
To properly preserve the fruits, you should pick them only after they have dried on the bush. It is necessary to leave a small length of the stalk. Decorative zucchini are dried for a long time in a ventilated room. For convenience, it is better to hang them. Be sure to sort out the fruits. All rotten, moldy or very soft are removed, leaving the healthiest and strongest.
