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Pumpkin Atlantic giant is one of the best types of melon culture, rightfully earned its place in the hearts of gardeners. In total, there are approximately 27 varieties of pumpkin, which in China is proudly called the "queen of vegetables". However, three varieties of giant pumpkins attracted the greatest interest of gardeners: Atlant, Sugar giant and Siberian giant - due to the unique characteristics of the fruits and the peculiarities of agricultural technology.
Description of varieties of giant pumpkin
The origin of this melon culture is associated with South America, but today it can be found in almost any country in the world. Giant pumpkin, or large-fruited pumpkin, is an annual plant with well-developed long and powerful stems on which creeping tendrils grow. The large stalks of the plant have huge dark green leaves. The peduncles of the giant pumpkin are also quite large, bright yellow in color, with very fragrant petals turned outward.
Atlantic giant
Pumpkin variety Atlantic giant - medium late, climbing plant, with well-developed powerful stems and large leaves. Smooth, wide, elliptical fruits have pronounced segmentation and orange-yellow rind.
Pumpkin Atlantic giant perfectly tolerates transportation and long-term storage. It is popular with gardeners due to its high yield and resistance to common diseases of melons and gourds.
Sugar giant
This is a large-fruited, weakly braided pumpkin variety that reaches maturity on the 110th - 130th day after planting. Pumpkin Sugar giant is well stored and transported and, interestingly, reveals better the palatability of the fruit during prolonged maturation.
Siberian giant
It is a mid-late variety with high yields and good taste. Pumpkin ripens 105 - 120 days after sowing seeds, requires a lot of space, which must be taken into account when planting. The Siberian Giant pumpkin is good both for human consumption and as animal feed, therefore it is often planted for use on silage.
Description of fruits
Ripe fruits of the Atlantic giant variety are round-oval in shape, weighing 50 - 70 kg. Their pulp is bright orange, firm, very juicy, aromatic and sweet. The variety is also characterized by good transportability and long shelf life. This variety is eaten both raw and heat-treated, and, in addition, it is used to prepare juice and various vegetable juices.
Sugar giant pumpkin fruits weigh up to 65 - 80 kg (with intensive care). The pulp, on average, has a thickness of 8 - 10 cm. In structure, it is firm, juicy, bright orange. The fruits of this variety are suitable for long-term storage. They are used for cooking various dishes using heat treatment, as well as raw (as an ingredient for vegetable salads).
The Siberian giant is distinguished by rich in color, slightly segmented spherical fruits. Their flesh is loose, creamy yellow, contains a huge amount of vitamins, mineral salts and organic acids. The variety is considered dietary and is valued for its beneficial properties.
Characteristics of varieties
All three varieties are well adapted for growing in harsh climatic conditions, therefore they are loved by the inhabitants of Siberia and the Urals.Since all pumpkin crops are thermophilic, it is recommended to cover young plants with a film at night in cold summer conditions.
The large-fruited Atlantic giant pumpkin, like the Siberian and Sugar giant, has a short vegetative period, which allows harvesting from this crop in regions with short summers.
All three varieties are distinguished by good drought resistance, however, since the fruits of the variety to which they belong are quite large, in order to maximize the weight gain of the fruits, the plant must organize regular watering and feeding.
Pest and disease resistance
The Atlantic giant, like the other two varieties, is fairly resistant to pests and diseases. But under unfavorable conditions, the culture can be affected by gray and white rot, anthracnose and powdery mildew.
To reduce the risk of disease, pumpkin is grown in accordance with the rules of crop rotation. Pumpkin is very demanding on its predecessors. The best options for her are planting potatoes, onions, cabbage, root crops and legumes. Cucumbers, zucchini, squash will be dangerous antecedent crops that can provoke diseases and an invasion of pests common to these plants.
In addition to diseases, the culture suffers from pests such as spider mites and aphids. Therefore, the tops and leaves must be regularly examined for damage by diseases or parasites, and the identified diseased areas on the lashes must be removed. For prophylaxis, spraying is usually carried out with a solution of laundry soap, ash and infusion of onion peels.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Atlantic giant pumpkin has both advantages and some disadvantages. Its advantages include the following characteristics:
- frost and drought resistance;
- ability to withstand sudden changes in temperature;
- good yield;
- dietary properties of the fruit;
- transportability and keeping quality.
There are few disadvantages:
- the special demands of the plant on the composition of the soil;
- insufficient resistance to certain diseases.
How to grow a giant pumpkin
If you follow all the rules of agricultural technology, even an inexperienced beginner can grow any of the three varieties of large-fruited pumpkin.
In addition, when choosing a place, it should be borne in mind that all large-fruited pumpkins are characterized by strong weaving, and therefore, they need special supports, trellises or a hedge.
All three pumpkin varieties presented are quite demanding on the composition of the soil, so a good harvest can be obtained only when planting in nutrient soil: ideally if there are loamy or sandy loam soils. In heavy or acidic soil, pumpkin will not give a good harvest, therefore dolomite flour or lime is always added.
Beds for sowing pumpkin begin to be prepared in the fall, they are dug up and fertilized: humus or compost with the calculation of 4 - 5 kg per 1 m2, as well as 30 g of superphosphate.
The giant pumpkin is usually grown by seedling to ensure that it is able to harvest in time in the harsh climatic conditions of Russia. Seeds for seedlings are sown in April. To improve germination, they are pre-soaked in any growth stimulator and germinated in a damp towel. After that, the germinated seeds are planted to a depth of 5 - 6 cm in individual peat pots.
Seedlings are planted in a permanent place towards the end of May-beginning of June, when the earth warmed up to a depth of 10 - 12 cm. By this time, 3 - 4 true leaves have already appeared in young sprouts. The planting scheme should be such that the plants have freedom, since all large-fruited pumpkin varieties need space. Usually leave from 1 to 1.5 meters between each bush, both in length and in width.
The giant pumpkin needs feeding twice for the entire season: when planting seedlings in a permanent place and during the period of active formation of lashes. A diluted infusion of mullein (1:10) or poultry droppings (1:20), as well as mineral complexes, for example, Nitrofosku, are used as fertilizers.
To grow a giant pumpkin, it is important to form the bush correctly. Usually one main lash is left, on which no more than 2 - 3 ovaries are allowed. All other lashes and ovaries are removed. After the appearance of the fourth leaf from the ovaries, the main lash is also pinched.
Throughout the season, all care comes down to regular watering, loosening and weeding from weeds. It is important to avoid waterlogging and water the plant as the topsoil dries out. In order for the pulp to be sweeter, the period of ripening of the fruit of the giant pumpkin should be watered sparingly.
Conclusion
The Atlantic giant pumpkin is one of the most beloved large-fruited varieties among gardeners, along with the Siberian and Sugar giant. All three varieties are unpretentious in care, are distinguished by high yield and excellent taste. The only small disadvantage of these varieties is their low resistance to pests and diseases, however, timely preventive measures make this disadvantage insignificant.
