Brochure Hokkaido Pumpkin

From innovation comes

From innovation comes Hokkaido pumpkin Suggestions for improving the quality and shelf life of your pumpkins Optimum time to harvest The optimum time to harvest a pumpkin is when 70% to 80% of the peduncle (stem) is covered with cork-like material. At this stage most of the leaves on the plant are still green and erect, which will provide a protective canopy of shade to the pumpkins. This will reduce the risk of sunscald damage. Alternatively, you can also check ripeness of the fruits by cutting them in half, removing a couple of seeds and splitting the seeds open. Seeds from a ripe pumpkin would be filled with a whitish, slightly moist, starch-like substance. Should the seeds contain a gelatinous, translucent substance, it signifies that the fruit is not yet mature. Storing the fruit Squash consumption gradually increases in the fall and reaches its peak in winter. As a result, it is beneficial for growers to store their fruits for as long as possible after been harvested at the end of summer. In general Hokkaido type pumpkins have a shorter shelf life when compared to other types of squash. The storability of pumpkin fruits can be improved by minimising or preventing the occurrence of condensation on the fruit. Condensation, caused by high humidity, promotes the development of postharvest diseases which are caused by fungi and bacteria. To reduce the occurrence of condensation, it is recommended to place the pumpkins in a well-ventilated space with a relative humidity of around 70% and a temperature of between 12°C and 15°C. Good storability allows for market period flexibility – marketing fruits over an extended period will most likely yield better prices. Shelf life is a trait that can be improved by breeding. Choosing superior genetics by selecting suitable hybrid varieties such as Orange Summer and Kaori Kuri by Enza Zaden will enable producers to store their fruits for longer periods. Hokkaido pumpkin, also called red kuri squash or orange pumpkin, is a cultivated variety of the Hubbard squash group. Enza Zaden has a dedicated breeding team focused on developing improved hybrids of this revolutionising squash. 2 | Enza Zaden Enza Zaden | 3