Search

Pumpkin - Spooky

SKU: PU31516A
CA$3.90
CA$3.90
Unavailable
per item
Approximately 3-5 seeds per gram
Cucurbita pepo
Lot# PU31516
A prolific, dark orange pumpkin, 15-17 cm (6-8") around, and averaging about 2.7-4.5 kg (6-10 lbs.) each.  Spookie Pumpkin is the result of a cross between Sugar Pie and Jack O' Lantern pumpkins.   It is heavier yielding than either of its parents. It has a deeper fruit shape and a more uniform diameter.   The sweet, thick, yellow-orange flesh is fine-textured and great for making pies.   
Planting Instructions:
  • Start indoors from late April, or direct sow outside in May, when the last chance of frost has passed in your area. Sow the seeds 2 cm (1”) deep, and maintain temperature around 18°C (65°F). The soil temperature should be around 15°C (60°F). Sow 2-3 seeds per hill, or in small pots, and keep the strongest seedling or keep all germinated seeds and plant together in a hill. Germination takes about 7-14 days, depending on the soil temperature.  Transplant the plants into bigger pots when large enough to handle and keep them inside the greenhouse.  Gradually acclimatize the plants before planting outside. Space hills or transplants 1.2 m (4’) between the plants.  If you have more space, you can increase distance from plants. Pumpkin plants prefer sunny locations and very rich soil. 
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked rich, loose well-drained soil. Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. 
  • Planting Depth:  Sow Pumpkin seeds 2 cm (1”) deep.
  • Germination:  7-14 days.
  • Height at Maturity: 45-61 cm (18-24") tall.  Spread: 122 cm (4’).  
  • Days to Maturity:   90-110 days for maturity from direct sow.  
  • Watering:  2.5 cm (1") of water a week ensures good growth, whether pumpkins  are grown in single or wide rows. The amount of rain that falls during the week affects how much you should water your garden. Spooky pumpkin only requires moderate watering, do not over water.  The trick is to only water pumpkins when they require it. Check the soil moisture levels with a trowel or a hoe and as long as you can see the moisture and your plant looks happy, you do not need to water.  It is important to not get water on any of the leaves.  Use drip irrigation if available, and water in the morning instead of late in the evening.  This simple technique will help prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
  • Sun/Shade:  Full Sun    
  • Spacing after Thinning:   Thinning is generally not required for 2-3 plants per hill, but you can thin to the strongest plant every 1.2 m (4’) of hill.  Rows should be planted 1.5-2.5 m (5-8’) apart. ​
Additional Information
Open pollinated-untreated seeds.  Sow 3 seeds directly in garden soil per hill with 1.2 m (4’) spacing.  You can thin to the strongest plant but we generally just leave them.  Spookie Pumpkin vines require at least 91-122 cm (3-4’) feet of growing area, and vines can be trained. Only requires moderate watering, do not over water. Pumpkins require pollination, so be sure to plant a few flowers in your vegetable garden to attract pollinators. Spookie Pumpkin matures in about 90-110 days from direct sowing. Store the pumpkins and squash at about 10°C (50°F). Pumpkins, when handled and stored properly can be kept for a long time.  When your pumpkins begin to change their color to orange, gradually decrease the amount of water. Your pumpkins will store longer if you cut off water 7-10 days before you harvest.