About
Cucurbita maxima 'Mammoth' is a moderately sized trailing squash that can reach approximately 60 cm in length. It bears robust, ribbed fruits featuring a vibrant golden orange exterior and yellow interior. This variety is particularly engaging for children, as its growth is easily observable day by day. It serves well for both pumpkin carving and as an ingredient in pumpkin pie. For optimal harvest, plant seeds in early spring to enjoy a yield from summer through autumn.
About the genus
This genus consists of small, annual herbaceous plants that either climb or trail. Several species within this group are cultivated for their edible fruits and other applications. They originate from Central and South America. The flowers are typically solitary and star-shaped, exhibiting a golden-yellow hue. The leaves are characterized by their palmately lobed structure and are adorned with fine, prickly hairs.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Bushy, Trailing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. This particular variety is for ornamental use only. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in rich, fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Start indoors from mid-late April, sowing in individual pots with seeds on their side about 1.5cm deep. Harden off before June then transplant outdoors to final growing position. Requires plenty of room to grow. See pumpkin cultivation or squash cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews