Description

STYRIAN PUMPKIN (Cucurbita pepo styriaca), is an heirloom pumpkin from southern Austria (Styria) that has important medicinal properties as well as being an excellent culinary pumpkin (truly awesome flavor). The dark green, almost black, hull-less or "naked" seeds have a delicious nutty taste and produce an oil that has been used for centuries in Europe for inflammations, prostate and liver health and arteriosclerosis. Rich in Vitamin E it also has 41% magnesium, 20% protein and iron and zinc as well. It stimulates synthesis of prostaglandins. Each sprawling vine produces multiple 15-pound pumpkins with light orange interiors. Delicious in all manner of traditional pumpkin recipes. And it will be productive and ripen even in cool wet summer climates such as the Pacific Northwest, however, these seeds are genuine Austrian Styrian pumpkin seeds. Remember that pumpkins that produce naked seeds have a lower germination rate than regular pumpkins so I am including more per packet than my other pumpkins. 90-120 days. 25 Seeds.

ABOUT PUMPKIN: Most pumpkins fall into the category of Cucurbita pepo (jack-o-lantern types). Many large fruited types are Cucurbita maxima and are irregular in size and shape. Other pie pumpkins are Cucurbita moschata and excellent for processing. If you are saving seeds, do not grow hybrids and do not grow more than one variety of the three types or cross-pollination can occur. Soil should be well-drained with a pH of 6.0-6.5 and at least 60 degrees. Seeds will rot otherwise. Plant in hills, which will also help warm the soil. Plant 6-8 seeds per 2' hill 1" deep and gently tamp soil. Do not over-fertilize with nitrogen as this will encourage vine growth instead of fruit but do provide plenty of rich compost. Because they have deep roots, water one inch per week and allow it to soak deeply into the soil. Water in the morning, so leaves dry by evening. The first flowers that appear will be male, whose function it is to provide pollen for bees who then pollinate the female plants. The male flowers simply drop off (gather them up quickly and batter them up for a tasty treat). The female flowers will be swollen at their base. If they appear before the males, they will not go to fruition.