Old Timey Cornfield Pumpkin

[Christian Cabal]

Hello,
I finally got around to planting some seeds that George sent me a few years ago.  I got a late start on them, and planted them in late April. (Being in N. Texas, I usually start any Pumpkin/squash  in mid March, to try and beat the SVB and Squash bugs, and have tarps handy for frost).
The plants started well, but the squash bugs hit them hard, so I had go on war against them squashing them by hand, until I got them under control. Then the SVB almost took down my plants, so I had to bury many of my vines and protect them. But since then, the plants have really taken off, and they are huge now. Lots of flowers now, but I hope the heat doesnt prevent fruit setting.  I usually dont have pumpkins trying to produce so late in the summer. 

[macmex]

Thanks for reporting on them! They do look good. You should get a good crop!
Keep us posted!

[heavyhitterokra]

I had high hopes for mine, but my ground is too acidic for pumpkins to really thrive well, then, when the hoards of squash bugs moved in on them, it was too much and they succumbed to the perpetual onslaught.

[ccabal]

sorry forgot to reply, Yes I had a great crop.  Picked about 10 big ones, still have 6 in the garage. Saved some of the seed so I can plant again.  

[macmex]

That's great! Ten decent sized pumpkins is a good deal! My crop last year wasn't very good. Started them May 1, but in an area where I couldn't water. When we hit our two months of no rain I didn't notice they were languishing until the basically died. That might not have happened if I'd have gotten them in earlier.

If you had no other c. moschata nearby, or if you hand pollinated, you should have plenty of seed to grow again this year.
 

[Audrey fowler]

Do you still have some old timid corn field pumpkin seeds? If so I would like to buy some please.

[macmex]

Audrey, can you email me? I won't leave this post up for very long. So email me and I'll take it down.

Email George (Macmex)

[heavyhitterokra]

@ Audrey fowler,

You'll be well pleased with the Old-Timey Cornfield pumpkins. I've never before seen a pumpkin variety so sweet that a person could eat one right out of the oven with no seasoning, and not really need any seasoning. Plus, they are really good keepers if stored in a cool, dry, dark place. I kept one as an experiment until time to replant the next Spring. When I cut it open in May, it was still fresh, crisp, and bright enough to eat. Very impressive to say the least.

If memory serves, I believe George did something similar around that same time. I can sure see why the Pilgrims liked pumpkins that kept well after doing that. A good, fresh, pumpkin would sure come in handy about February or early March when all there was left to eat was snowballs and the bark off of trees.

George did well to introduce us to that variety.

Thanks, George!

[macmex]

I don't think the garlic will bother the squash at all. You might have a challenge finding the garlic when you want to harvest but it'll be there and be in good shape.

[heavyhitterokra]

Actually, the garlic is probably a really, really, good thing. Have you ever seen insect damage on garlic? Not often, because garlic repels most types of insects. who knows? The garlic might actually help to repel squash bugs and vine borers.

That would be cool if you accidentally discovered a natural way to control them. That sounds like an awesome experiment to me.

Keep us posted.

[Sheri]

I've been reading about the Old Timey pumpkins and trying to find some seeds. Do you happen to have some that I can buy from you?

[macmex]

Sheri, nine posts up there's a link which you can use to email me. I have seed to share.

For anyone else reading this thread I would mention that I usually have seed and can share, or you can go to Sandhill Preservation Center and find seed. Last year (and others) this was the only c. moschata squash growing for at least a mile around us, so all my seed should be pure. Anyone growing this, or any other squash they wish to preserve, should only grow one of this species or of the other species of squash, at a time, assuring that your neighbors aren't growing anything related, or else hand pollinate. 

Here's a link to a thread on: On Maintaining of Squash Varieties

We can all share seed if we take care. It's a big help for other gardeners, some of whom can't save seed.

[Westerhouse]

Planted just one hill of corn field pumpkins on July 1 and now getting ready to harvest a dozen large pumpkins. The blossoms are also a great substitution for squash blossoms. The green pumpkins are delicious in Asian and south Asian dishes. Number one caveat about growing this pumpkin: it will take over (and keep weeds down). My seed came from my friend David Shields, author of the book Southern Provisions.

[buffaloberry]

  Good morning gang! I'm sending some seeds of the squash to a friend from a harvest party a month ago cause she's Cherokee and currently live in my hometown. I'm looking to obtain more for myself either from trade or other sources. I wanna produce more for my urban farming program next year to help the Native American community to have their own traditional crops from their ancestors. If anybody else has anymore beside George, please shoot back privately to gauge more interest and stuff related to the Cherokee and other tribes to help my gardens become culturally beautiful and  stable. Thanks!