Courgette.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Annual vegetable

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 1 a 3 días

Tamaño adulto

3 to 4 feet wide

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 3 a 11

Floración

Mid summer to early autumn

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist and mulch around the base to retain water. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves, which often appears as a white dusty coating. Harvest fruits regularly to encourage the plant to keep producing more.

Riego

Water deeply at the base of the plant to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Abonado

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once the plant begins to flower.

Poda

Remove older or damaged leaves to improve airflow and prevent fungal issues.

Trasplante

Courgettes are typically grown directly in the ground or large containers and do not require repotting.

Suelo

Rich, well draining, organic soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

15 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Baja

Longevidad

Annual

Fragancia

Suave

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Baja

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally non-toxic, though bitter-tasting fruits containing high levels of cucurbitacins can cause digestive distress.

Niños

The large, prickly leaves and stems can scratch delicate skin, so supervise children when they are playing near the vines.

Alérgenos por contacto

The stiff, prickly hairs on the stems and leaves can cause mechanical skin irritation.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen from the large, open flowers may trigger mild reactions in sensitive individuals.

Comestibilidad

Always wash the rind thoroughly before preparation and avoid eating if the fruit tastes bitter, as this can indicate high cucurbitacin levels.

Cómo identificarla

• Large, prickly, lobed green leaves
• Bright yellow, trumpet shaped flowers
• Cylindrical, smooth or slightly ribbed fruits
• Sturdy, bushy or trailing growth habit

Altura

0,3 a 0,6m

Anchura

1 a 3m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

yellow, 5 a 12cm

Frutos

green, yellow, orange, white, Late summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on the leaves during periods of high humidity.
• Squash vine borer — Larvae tunnel into the main stem, causing the plant to wilt and collapse suddenly.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

Spring, Early summer

Cuidados en invierno

This plant is an annual and will die with the first frost, so remove and compost the vines once they wither.

En maceta

It grows well in large containers of at least 20 gallons, provided you use a sturdy trellis for vining types.

Planting squash with corn and beans creates a classic Three Sisters garden where each plant supports the others.

Buenas compañeras

• Maíz — Corn provides a natural trellis for vining varieties to climb.
• Judía común — Beans fix nitrogen in the soil which helps the squash grow.
• Capuchina Común — These flowers help deter common garden pests.

Mantenla lejos de

• Potato — They compete for similar soil nutrients and space.

Especies parecidas

• Butternut Squash — It is a related species with similar growth habits but different fruit characteristics.

Ciencia

Familia

Cucurbitaceae

Género

Cucurbita

Orden

Cucurbitales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Central and North America

Conservación

Not of conservation concern as it is a widely cultivated agricultural crop.

It thrives in sunny, open areas with rich soil and relies on bees for pollination to produce fruit.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

culinary vegetable, ornamental display, autumn decor

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Why are my squash flowers falling off?

The plant produces separate male and female flowers, and the male flowers often drop off after shedding pollen.

Can I grow these in a container?

Yes, but you need a very large container, at least 20 gallons, to accommodate the extensive root system.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Cucurbita is the Latin word for gourd, while the specific epithet pepo refers to the large, fleshy fruit.

Bueno saberlo

• Pumpkins are technically a type of berry.
• The flowers are edible and often used in culinary dishes.
• Native Americans grew these alongside corn and beans as part of the Three Sisters planting method.
• The fruit can grow quite rapidly, sometimes adding several pounds in a single day.