Plant name: Pumpkin Jack O'Lantern
Other names: Cucurbita pepo 'Jack o' Lantern'
Category: Annual
Plant family: Cucurbitaceae
Light preference: Full sun
Soil preference: Loam, sand. Acid, Neutral. Moist but well-drained/well-drained.
Flowering/fruiting month: Harvest fruit September - October
Size:
- Up to 45cm height
- Up to 200cm spread
- Fruit have average diameter 20-30cm
Description: A well-known, ornamental pumpkin cultivar, producing orange-skinned, spherical pumpkins that are typically grown for halloween decorations. The pumpkins are late ripening and while the flesh is edible and can be used for soups, the flavour is mediocre. They usually weigh around 4-7kg.
Care: Grow in fertile, moisture retentive but well drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun. Sow indoors March to May in good quality seed compost. Sow the seeds on their side 1cm deep and maintain a constant temperature of 18-21C. Feed regularly with a high potassium fertiliser when the first fruits start to swell. Propagate by seed in spring and keep at 18-21ºC to germinate. No pruning required.
Current appearance:
