About
Cucurbita pepo 'Jack be Little' is a compact pumpkin variety known for its small, ribbed, and flattened shape, typically measuring about the size of a palm. The skin is a vivid orange, making these pumpkins suitable for a range of culinary and decorative uses. They work well for stuffing and baking whole, as well as serving as miniature lanterns for Halloween. Each plant can yield approximately ten fruits, which, when fully matured, can be stored for up to a year.
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
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, 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
- Trailing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
- 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 fertile, moisture retentive but well drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun. Sow indoors March to May in good quality seed compost. Sow the seeds on their side 1cm deep and maintain a constant temperature of 18-21C. Feed regularly with a high potassium fertiliser when the first fruits start to swell. See pumpkin 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
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews