Zucchina, zucchino in Italian is a small pumpkin (zucca). The names therefore indicate a close relationship between the two plants.However, zucchini fruits are small only when we hurry to harvest them.The largest variety of varieties can be found in Italy and France, but also in our gardens, various forms of vegetables have been appearing for a long time. For the tirelessly fruiting summer pumpkin, also known as squash, it is worth finding some space in our vegetable garden.
Usually young plants are rushed in pots. We plant them in the flower bed from mid-May until the end of June at the latest. One plant should have an area of about 1 m2.If there is not enough space, the zucchini will be satisfied with a large container.Even a climbing variety 'Black Forrest' was bred, the long shoots of which reach a height of 2 m on the trellis.
Courgettes need the most moisture during the period of the greatest development and fruiting, i.e. in July and August. If plants suffer from thirst, their fruit can be bitter. Nettle manure, mixed once a week with irrigation water, strengthens the leaves and nourishes the growing fruit.
Problems in growing zucchini
Poor fruiting is a common problem in the cultivation of zucchini. Plants develop female flowers, but soon shed them.Young fruits suddenly narrow at the tips, turn yellow and fall off.On hot days, the pollen-producing male flowers lose much of their pollination ability.
Periods of muggy or rainy weather are also not good. Very high air humidity causes the pollen particles to stick together.In such cases, the plants should be helped. Cut off 1-3 male flowers, remove the petals from them and use pollen brushes to touch the stigmas inside each female flower.Remember that we will achieve the best results by performing such a procedure early in the morning.
The infestation of plants with powdery mildew also reduces the amount of ripening fruit.The fungus often appears on older leaves; young ones remain he althy and vital plants constantly develop new ones.Spraying with horsetail manure is a preventive measure.
A well-developed, he althy plant can produce 4-5 fruits each week. We collect them when they are 10-20 cm long. In the case of 'Rondini' or patison it corresponds to a diameter of 5-6 cm. Plants should be inspected every 2-3 days. Selected fruits, left for seed collection, reach surprisingly large sizes. We will check their condition by trying to scratch the skin of the fruit with a thumbnail.If it persists, the seeds are ripe.
Great variety
Zucchini is a pumpkin plant with fruits that ripen in the summer. The typical fruit stalk is ribbed and juicy green.Fruits of late varieties, withstanding long storage, have smooth stalks, which become woody during ripening.
Courgettes, with the exception of a few varieties, do not form long shoots and have a bushy habit. Spherical fruits of the 'Rondini' variety should be picked when their seeds are very small and white. Later, the peel of the fruit becomes extremely hard and the flesh is unpalatable. The golden oblong courgettes have a soft-tasting flesh that melts in the mouth.The fruits of the pansies in the shape of flying plates are white or yellow.
Old Italian varieties, such as 'Cocozelle von Tripolis' and 'Alberello di Sarzana', have fruits with a delicate, thin skin in various patterns and shades of green.
Quick compilation
Early maturing varieties have their fruit ready for harvest 5-6 weeks after planting. We cut them off with a knife at a distance of about 1 cm from the base of the peduncle. At the beginning, male flowers predominate.Female only develop when the plant has enough leaves to feed the fruit and the ambient temperature rises.
In Italy, special varieties are grown, such as 'Zucchino da Fiori', which mainly develop male flowers. A salad is prepared from the flakes, cut into narrow strips and fried in oil.Whole flowers filled with tasty stuffing are stewed in the oven.
Recommendable varieties
1. 'Zuboda' is a viable and reliable variety. The fruit has few seeds and a lot of delicate, creamy flesh.
2. 'Tondo Chiaro di Nizza' produces a lot of round, light green fruits.We collect them when they reach the size of a tennis ball.Initially, the plants are clumpy, but they put up stolons during the season.
3. 'Marrow Bush Baby' has a compact habit and is perfect for growing in containers.
4. 'Custard White' has decorative qualities. Stew the young whole fruit in butter and season it lightly.
