About
Cucurbita moschata 'Black Futsu' is a traditional Japanese butternut squash known for its compact growth, reaching heights of up to 200 cm. The fruit features a deeply ribbed exterior, with skin that ranges from dark green to nearly black, transitioning to orange as it matures. Its flesh is golden orange, offering a rich, nutty flavor that intensifies when roasted. Plant seeds in early spring to enjoy a harvest from summer into autumn. This variety has good storage capabilities, though the skin may develop a chestnut brown hue post-harvest.
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
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 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. 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 squah 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