Organic Indian Pumpkin(Cucurbita sp.)

Name: Organic Indian Pumpkin ( Cucurbita sp.)
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Product code : GAIAS-0301

Organic Indian pumpkin is an open-pollinated heirloom winter squash that produces large, ribbed fruits with dense, sweet flesh. It is suitable for pies, soups, purees, and roasted wedges. The packet contains 20 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. This annual plant forms long vines up to 3 to 6 m and requires plenty of space, full sun, and regular moisture. Expect 100 to 110 days to maturity. For best results, grow in rich, warm, well-drained soil, water deeply at the base, and keep flowers accessible to pollinators.

Organic Indian Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) This open-pollinated heirloom winter squash produces large ribbed fruit with dense, sweet flesh. It suits pie, soup, curry, purée, and roasting. The packet contains 20 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Gaia identifies the product only to the genus Cucurbita; because the common name “Indian pumpkin” can refer to more than one species, no more specific species is asserted. The annual plant develops long trailing vines that may reach approximately 10 to 20 feet and requires generous space in full sun. Each mature fruit provides a generous harvest for several family meals, baking projects, and convenient freezer portions later.

Start seed indoors three to four weeks before the last frost in individual pots, or direct sow after frost danger has passed and soil reaches at least 21°C. Plant approximately 1 inch deep. Germination generally takes 7 to 10 days at 21 to 35°C, with an optimum of 27 to 35°C. Soaking and scarification are not required. Harden plants before setting them in rich, well-drained soil. Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart with 6 to 8 feet between rows. Water deeply at the base. Keep flowers accessible to bees because insect pollination is required for fruit set.

Allow approximately 100 to 110 days to maturity. Harvest after the rind becomes hard, colour is fully developed, and the stem begins to dry. Cut fruit before a hard frost while retaining about 2 inches of stem; do not lift it by the handle. Cure in a warm, dry, ventilated place, then store only sound fruit at 10 to 12°C with moderate humidity and good airflow. Inspect pumpkins regularly and promptly use any fruit that softens or becomes damaged. Cooked flesh can be frozen in measured portions for winter recipes. Mature seeds may also be cleaned and roasted for eating.

Uses in the garden

Plant Indian pumpkins at the edge of a large vegetable garden so their 3 to 6 m vines can run towards a path or open area. Space plants 90 to 150 cm apart and rows 1.8 to 2.4 m apart. Mulch added after the soil warms helps stabilize moisture and keep fruits clean. Place a board under pumpkins if the soil remains damp. Flowers attract the bees needed for fruit set. Avoid moving the vines after young fruits form, as they can crack near the nodes. Read the package directions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedlings uniformly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly turn containers to promote balanced growth. When several seedlings compete for the same space, carefully thin to retain the most vigorous specimens without disturbing their roots.

01 How much does the sachet contain?

The packet contains 20 seeds. Read the instructions on the packet before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, and well-drained substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedling uniformly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly rotate containers to encourage balanced growth. When multiple seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully to keep the most vigorous specimens without disturbing their roots.

02 How to start seedlings?

Start one seed per pot 2.5 cm deep three to four weeks before the last frost, or direct sow when the soil reaches at least 21 °C and the risk of frost is over. Germination takes 7 to 10 days between 21 and 35 °C. No soaking or scarification is necessary. Keep the substrate moist but not soggy, provide bright light after emergence, and acclimate the seedlings before transplanting. Space them 90 to 150 cm apart and allow 1.8 to 2.4 m between rows. Read the package directions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season.

03 How long does germination take?

Germination generally takes 7 to 10 days when the substrate remains between 21 and 35 °C, with an optimum of 27 to 35 °C. Sow 2.5 cm deep and keep the soil uniformly moist, without standing water. No soaking or scarification is necessary. Cold soil slows emergence and increases the risk of rot. Once seedlings emerge, provide bright light and allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings. Handle roots as little as possible when transplanting. Read the package instructions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season.

04 How to organize garden planting?

Space plants 90 to 150 cm apart and rows 1.8 to 2.4 m apart. The edge of a large vegetable garden is ideal for directing long stems towards an aisle or an empty area. Full sun, compost-enriched soil and deep watering at the base promote production. No particular companion plants are needed; above all, avoid excessive competition and keep the flowers accessible to bees. Rotate with crops from other families rather than planting cucurbits in the same spot every year. Mulch added after the soil warms up helps stabilize moisture.

05 When should we harvest?

Harvest in about 100 to 110 days, when the color is well developed, the skin resists a fingernail, and the stem begins to dry. Cut the fruit before a hard frost, leaving about 5 cm of stem; never lift it by the stem. Allow the pumpkin to dry in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area, then store it at 10-12 °C with moderate humidity and good air circulation. Regularly check the skin and quickly use any fruit that softens or shows damage. Read the package directions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season.