Pumpkins take about three to five months to grow to maturity and are ready for sale depending on the variety. The seeds are quite affordable as they are sold at fair prices. For successful pumpkins farming a farmer should source good sees plant at least 10 of them in one hole for better results.
What are the diseases of pumpkins?
The flour is used to make porridge, chapattis, mandarin, cakes and bread. Common diseases that affect pumpkins are bacterial wilt, downy mildew and powdery mildew. A farmer should spray fungicides, remove infected plants and water only roots and in the morning or during the day to control diseases and for prevention too.
What are the different types of pumpkins?
Varieties include white giant from South Africa, Israel giant, Egyptian giant, “Squach” and “Dola”. These varieties are easy to grow and are easy to manage and are rarely attacked by pests compared to normal pumpkins. They are cultivated twice a year. Normal pumpkins weigh between one to seven kilograms.
How long do Pumpkins last?
They have a long shelf life of about three months thus can be stored for longer before sale or consumption. The pumpkin plants are advantageous as the leaves can be used as alternative greens just like spinach and kales. A fully grown pumpkin weighs between four and even twenty kilograms.