Content
The most popular culture that is found in the summer cottage of almost any gardener is pumpkin. As a rule, pumpkin is undemanding to care for, germinates rather quickly and ripens in a short time. Due to the wide variety, everyone can choose a suitable variety for growing, depending on the ripening period, appearance and taste. Pumpkin Pink banana is considered an exotic melon crop. Unlike round fruits familiar to all gardeners, it has an elongated shape and resembles a marrow in appearance. Breeders in the United States were engaged in breeding the Pink Banana pumpkin variety, more than 100 years have passed since then, but such a crop variety appeared relatively recently in Russia.
Description of pumpkin variety Pink banana
If we consider the external description of the Pink Banana pumpkin, then it is worth noting that the bushes are long-leaved, as a result of which each bush can occupy an area of up to 5 m.If a support is installed, then the Pink Banana pumpkin will actively rise up.
Throughout the summer season, a large number of fruits can be set, but only if proper care and conditions for growth are provided. Even if the place for growth is chosen extremely poorly, in any case at least 2-3 fruits ripen on each bush.
A distinctive feature of the variety is a high level of resistance to most diseases caused by a pathogenic fungus. On the territory of Russia, pumpkin of the Pink Banana variety can grow well in open ground.
The lashes are quite long and strong, which allows them to support the weight of ripe fruit if supported. The root system is quite powerful and developed. The level of foliage is average. The leaf plates have a rich dark green hue.
Since the pumpkin variety Pink Banana belongs to the mid-season, you can start harvesting 90-100 days after planting the crop in open ground.
Description of fruits
In the process of growing pumpkin of the Pink Banana variety, it is worth taking into account the fact that the ovaries can differ in shape even on 1 bush. As a rule, ripe fruits are elongated, capable of reaching a length of up to 1.2-1.5 m, of medium thickness and in appearance they resemble zucchini. A distinctive feature is the pointed nose. If we compare the ratio of length and thickness, then it will be 4: 1. Some fruits can be bent, thereby resembling a banana, which is why this variety was given such a name.
The pumpkin's crust is quite dense, during technical ripeness it has a light shade - pink-yellow, slightly soft. As the fruit ripens, the pumpkin begins to cork, becomes very hard, when the period of biological ripeness is reached. At this time, the Pink Banana pumpkin acquires a pink color, which also has an orange hue. If you cut a ripe fruit, you can hear how it crunches.
When cut, you can see the pulp of a rich orange color, it is homogeneous, fibers are completely absent.If you take into account the reviews of gardeners, then it is worth noting the excellent taste of ripe fruits. The pulp is very tender, with a bright pronounced sweet taste, while the aroma is rather weak. Pumpkin contains a large amount of nutrients, including trace elements. Due to the large amount of beta-carotene, the pulp of ripe fruits acquires such a rich color.
Pumpkin Pink banana pictured:
Variety characteristics
If we consider the characteristics of the Pink Banana pumpkin variety, then the following points are worth noting:
- the variety is mid-season;
- you can start harvesting the finished crop 90-100 days after planting in open ground;
- ripe fruits are universal;
- the average length of a pumpkin is 1.2 m;
- if necessary, it can be used for long-term storage;
- excellent taste;
- unpretentiousness of culture;
- stable harvest;
- high level of resistance to many types of diseases and pests;
- fetal weight can vary from 5 to 18 kg;
- at least 3 fruits appear on each bush, even under unfavorable growing conditions;
- due to the absence of fibers in the pulp, the taste is preserved even after frost;
- if necessary, it can be grown on the territory of Russia in the open field.
It is recommended to start growing the variety only after all the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of the pink banana pumpkin variety have been thoroughly studied.
Pest and disease resistance
As already mentioned, a distinctive feature of the Pink Banana pumpkin is a high level of resistance to pests and various diseases.
The first signs of the disease are:
- brown ulcers;
- fruits begin to darken, traces of rot appear;
- the growth of the pumpkin is uneven.
As soon as these symptoms were found on at least one pumpkin of the Pink Banana variety, it must be removed immediately, and the remaining bushes should be treated with Bordeaux liquid, which will prevent the development of the disease.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that pests, for example, aphids and spider mites, can also cause significant harm to the variety. In order to reduce the number of pests that have appeared, it is necessary to prepare a special solution: onion husks are added to the water and insisted for 24 hours.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Pink Banana pumpkin variety has the following benefits:
- A large number of useful properties - the culture is rich in macronutrients and vitamins. If you regularly eat pumpkin, you can normalize the digestive system.
- If necessary, it can be stored for a long time - up to 6 months.
- Excellent taste and attractive appearance.
- Fast ripening process - you can start harvesting 90-100 days after planting in open ground.
- Ripe fruits can be eaten fresh.
Among the disadvantages of the variety, many gardeners note the need to regularly water the crop. In addition, there is a possibility that pests will appear.
Growing technology
The variety can be grown by seedlings or planting material can be planted immediately in open ground, as well as in a greenhouse. As a rule, seedlings are grown in the first half of April. It is recommended to plant a culture in a permanent place of growth as carefully as possible so as not to damage the root system.During planting, it is recommended to leave a distance of up to 1 m between the bushes.
Caring for a pink banana pumpkin consists of regular watering, fertilizing as it grows, and removing weeds. If necessary, you can install a support, as a result of which the whips will stretch upward, and not along the ground. They start harvesting the finished crop 90-100 days after planting the crop in open ground.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Pink banana can rightfully become a decoration of any vegetable garden. In addition, it should be borne in mind that ripe fruits have excellent taste that will please all family members. Since pumpkin is moderately sweet, it is actively used in cooking to prepare a wide variety of dishes. You can eat not only juicy pulp, but also seeds. The product is low-calorie, about 24 kcal per 100 g. A distinctive feature is the unpretentiousness of the culture, all that is required is to water in a timely manner and periodically apply fertilizers for better pumpkin growth.
