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Zucchini is a plant belonging to the pumpkin family. It is considered a perennial member of the family, but it is grown in temperate climates as an annual. Fruit zucchini has large, yellowish-green, oblong shape. Such a description can be found in various magazines on gardening, in scientific and educational literature. In fact, it is a grateful vegetable with healthy and nutritious fruits. Zucchini will give a good harvest to anyone who shows at least minimal care when growing it. Housewives are happy to prepare various dishes and preparations for the winter from delicious fruits.
The health and nutritional value of zucchini has long been proven. It contains almost all types of vitamins, a lot of fiber, minerals. At the same time, the fruits are considered low in calories. This makes it possible to classify zucchini as a dietary product. They are allowed to be consumed by children, elderly people. Some restrictions apply to raw fruits.
The first acquaintance usually occurs with the usual shape of zucchini. Consider bush and semi-shrub (semi-leafy) species. The attraction in this culture is that plants can be grown in any climatic zone, except for the Far North, and at minimal cost. Distinguish between common white-fruited bushes and zucchini. The first variety has white fruits, and the second has representatives of different colors and tones - yellow, green, striped.
But, more exotic can be considered zucchini of an unusual shape, for example, round.
Round zucchini - varieties and features
There are not as many round varieties as the usual ones. Which one should you prefer? Among round zucchini, the most popular are the usual varieties:
"Ball"
Early ripe round squash. Refers to the species cluster with medium branching. It has medium leaves of light green color. Fruits are original spherical weighing up to 1 - 1.3 kg. The color is whitish or slightly green with the presence of diffuse mottling. Excellent taste, it is considered a plant with a high yield. The first fruits can be obtained already on the 50th day after germination. Zucchini "Ball" is very much appreciated in cooking as a variety for stuffing or roasting. When growing, you need to pay attention to the features:
- demanding for a comfortable thermal regime;
- development improves after the introduction of organic fertilizing;
- resistant to putrefactive processes of fruits and lesions of powdery mildew.
A wonderful variety of round zucchini is grown in different ways. The seedling method is well suited - you can get an earlier harvest. Direct sowing of seeds into the ground also gives a stable result. Seeds are sown on seedlings in April, and the plants are planted in the ground in a month and a half. At the same time, seeds are sown directly into the ground. This usually happens in May-June. The usual 60x60 cm planting scheme is used.
"Watermelon"
A late ripening round squash, bred by crossing with a watermelon. Outwardly, it is very similar to a watermelon, it has a round fruit with large pink seeds. Another round zucchini with a long shelf life. Withstands almost until a new harvest. Young fruits are consumed with the skin, and during storage only the pulp. Climbing plant, requires a large distance between holes (at least 2 m). Recommendations for agricultural practices do not differ from the cultivation of zucchini of the usual form.
Zucchini representatives
"Kolobok"
Early ripening round zucchini.It is enough that a month and a half has passed from full germination, and the first fruits can be harvested. Zucchini has a compact bush, but when there is a lack of light, it can throw out lashes. It is recommended to harvest when the fruits are still small (milky ripeness). Small balls are very good for culinary highlights. Mature ripe fruits resemble pumpkin both in taste and in appearance. The difference is that the crust does not harden for a long time and it is much easier to clean the zucchini. The average fruit weight reaches 600 g. The round zucchini variety "Kolobok" is resistant to common pumpkin diseases.
"Tintoretto"
Another early ripe zucchini variety... The period from germination to harvest takes 48-50 days. A compact bushy plant with round fruits weighing up to 2.2 kg. The color of the fruit changes as it ripens from light green to yellow with splashes. Valuable Features:
- stable high yield;
- fruits of the original form;
- good keeping quality;
- excellent transportability;
- taste and culinary qualities of a high order.
The seeds of Tintoretto round squash are large. They are planted according to the 70x70 scheme, with a sowing depth of 5-6 cm. The sowing period is from May 25 to June 05, and in mid-July a high yield of up to 10 kg is removed from 1 sq. m. Zucchini of this round variety is grown in the open field.
Hybrid varieties
"Bourgeois F1"
An early ripe hybrid variety of zucchini. It takes only 45 days to harvest the fruit. A powerful bush with a lot of female flowers. The advantages of the variety are:
- high productivity;
- the original shape of the fetus;
- good commercial qualities;
- large-fruited.
Has dark green fruits weighing up to 3 kg. Round zucchini is great for growing both in greenhouses and outdoors. Planting features:
- scheme - 60x60cm;
- density - 1.5 per 1 sq. m;
- depth - up to 5 cm.
The optimal time for sowing zucchini is in May. The variety is picky about all components of care. Needs proper watering, nutrition, lighting and temperature conditions. Thanks for this with a good yield of up to 10 kg per 1 sq. m area. The hybrid is used in cooking for the preparation of various dishes. Round squash works well for stuffing. This dish is prepared by almost all housewives.
"F1 Festival"
An excellent hybrid variety. Has excellent taste and decorative appearance. The diameter of the fruit reaches 15 cm. There are white-green stripes along the entire length, in which the green color is replaced by yellow as it ripens. Record holder for storage duration. This variety of round squash can be enjoyed 10 months after harvest. The taste does not change at all. The flesh of the squash is tender, orange in color, and the appearance is very beautiful.
The hybrid is grown in two ways - seedling and direct sowing into the ground. Zucchini seedlings will have to be planted only after complete confidence in the absence of frost. Very responsive to good soil preparation. Loosen the soil with compost before planting. This will at the same time serve as a good enrichment of the soil and will make it possible for the seedlings of round squash to tolerate temperature fluctuations more easily. They like mulching with humus or peat, regular watering. For direct sowing, marrow seeds are placed at a depth of 5-6 cm.
Round foreigners
"Tondo di Piacenza"
High-yielding early variety of Italian breeders. The fruit ripens for 55 days. Zucchini have original spherical fruits of dark green color. They have a pleasant taste, especially in unripe form (fruit diameter 10 cm), intended for open ground. Recommendations for agricultural practices do not differ from the usual requirements for growing squash. It is planted by seedling method and by sowing in the ground. The fruits are often used fresh for making salads, as well as for baking, stuffing and winter preparations.
"De Nice"
Super early high-yielding variety. 40 days pass before the beginning of fruiting. The earlier the harvesting begins, the longer the yielding period of the round squash lasts.A plant with a compact bush without the formation of lashes. Fruits are small (up to 15 cm in diameter), light green in color with a delicate thin skin. The pulp has almost no seeds. The seedling method of growing makes it possible to get round fruits much earlier than conventional varieties. When sown in the ground, this indicator shifts to a later date. Seeds for seedlings are sown in the last week of April, direct sowing - early June. Small unripe fruits give the hostess room for imagination when preparing original snacks.
Nuances of agricultural technology
It is customary to grow round zucchini using two technologies:
- seedling method;
- direct seeding into the ground.
The plant is thermophilic, so it is better to provide it with comfortable conditions. To get quality seedlings, seeds of round squash are sown in April. Experienced gardeners check their actions against the lunar sowing calendar. Some consider the germination procedure compulsory. This will shorten the time to germination. For seedlings of round squash, containers with fertile soil are prepared and provide the necessary warmth and lighting. As soon as shoots appear, you can plant seedlings in open ground in two weeks. This technology will make it possible to get a harvest of round zucchini early, but the fruits will be unsuitable for storage. They will need to be used as they mature.
Sowing seeds of round zucchini in the ground will have to be done a little later. It is necessary for the earth to warm up and pass the threat of frost. The seedlings of round zucchini will withstand a cold snap, but the frost will immediately destroy the tender sprouts. The main period is late May or early June. With this technology, you will have to immediately take into account the planting scheme, so as not to remove the plants for thinning later. Round squash is a semi-flying plant and should have enough room to grow.
The soil is fertilized and loosened. Seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 5 cm. In the future, plants require timely watering and feeding. Zucchini have a large leaf mass, so they need additional nutrition.
Plants should be inspected to prevent disease or pest attacks. Beware of:
- bacteriosis;
- powdery rose;
- root rot.
The main pests of round squash are scoops and slugs.
Let's talk about seeds
This is a very important criterion for a good harvest of round squash. High-quality material also gives the proper result.
If a decision is made to grow hybrid varieties of round squash, then you should pay attention to the manufacturer. Find information and feedback from those who have already planted such seeds. Germinating hybrid seeds is not recommended. The water will remove all substances that are on the seed that improve germination and resistance.
Seeds of simple varieties are usually germinated. To keep the variety they like, many harvest the seeds on their own. What are the benefits? The gardener chooses a plant without defect and pest damage. The zucchini has already passed the life cycle in the garden and has acquired resistance to the conditions of a particular site. Therefore, the germination of such seeds is always better. Healthy and beautiful fruits are left on the seeds. Remove them from dry plants. To check the readiness of the fetus, a fingernail is passed over the skin. They shoot those that do not have a trace. There is no need to rush. Unripe seeds of round squash will give poor shoots next year.
Now the fruits are ripening. This takes about 20 days. The room must be ventilated. Then the zucchini is cut lengthwise and the seeds are selected. They are not washed or fermented, but only dried well without the sun.
The collected seeds are stored in bags, bags (paper), glass jars.The paper bags need to be pierced with a needle to increase air flow. Only very well dried seeds can be stored in jars. Each variety is signed, be sure to indicate the year of collection. Store in a cellar, on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, in a cool room (no dampness!). The optimal period is up to 4 years. Seeds remain valid for 8 years, but the best germination is in two to three years. Before planting, everything is checked for germination.
Round zucchini - original and tasty. More and more gardeners are choosing extraordinary varieties in order to get a good harvest and decorate the beds.
