Quick facts
| Arabic name | اليقطين (القرع العسلي) |
|---|---|
| English name | Pumpkin |
| Scientific name | Cucurbita maxima / C. moschata |
| Family | Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) |
| Plant type | Annual trailing vine |
| Height | Spreads 3 to 6 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
February to March, and July to August
Harvest time
June to July, and November to December
After 90 to 120 daysJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
Big rough leaves, large yellow flowers and big round or long fruits with hard skin and orange flesh.
Where it grows
Grown in farms and home gardens in spring and summer.
Soil
Rich soil with plenty of compost.
Water and irrigation
Regular watering at the base.
Climate and light
Likes warmth and sun.
Propagation
By seed.
Benefits and uses
- Rich in vitamin A and fiber
- Stores for months
- Seeds can be roasted and eaten
- Used in soups and desserts
Drawbacks
- Needs a lot of space
- Gets powdery mildew
- Melon flies attack it
Important notes
Let the skin harden before harvest so fruits store longer.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Cucurbita maxima
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Cucurbita maxima
- Wikipedia: Pumpkin
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)