Winter squash 'Kurihomare Kabocha'
identification
description
Sweet, creamy, red-orange Kabocha, perfect for storage
Winter squash “Kurihomare Kabocha” ( Cucurbita maxima ), offered by OSC Seeds
This exceptional kabocha produces bright orange-red , slightly flattened fruit weighing 1.5 to 2 kg . The flesh is thick , very sweet , with a delicious nutty flavor and a smooth , fiber-free texture, perfect for purées, soups, roasted dishes, or traditional Japanese recipes. The vines are vigorous yet compact , productive, and the fruit stores very well throughout the winter.
Propagation: Indoor sowing or direct sowing in late spring
Height/growth habit: Compact vines
Package size: Approximately 8 seeds
Harvest time: 95–105 days
Frost tolerance: Killed by frost
Companion plants: Corn, beans, nasturtiums
Incompatible plants: Other closely related cucurbits (competition)
Planting and maintenance:
A warm-weather plant, it requires full sun and deep, rich, organic, and well-drained soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5 ). Incorporate plenty of compost before planting. Sow directly from late May to mid-June , 2.5 cm deep, in mounds spaced 2.4 m apart, with 4 to 6 seeds per mound, then thin to 3 plants . For an early start, begin the seedlings indoors 3 weeks before transplanting in biodegradable pots (as squashes do not transplant well). Protect ripe fruits from frost. Germination takes 7 to 10 days .
