Rouge vif d’Etampes Pumpkin
The French heirloom cultivar Rouge vif d’Etampes Pumpkin is a member of the the Family Cucurbitaceae, genus Cucurbita, Species maxima, and was hybridized by Burpee in 1883. It is also known as Cinderella and Bright Red French. Pumpkins have a flattened globe shaped with deep ribs, and a deep orangey-red skin colour. It can vary in size from 3 kg to 16 kg. and matures in 101 to 111 days.
The Rouge vif d’Etampes Pumpkin has a vining growth habit and will reach 30-60 cm in height. It can tolerate partial sun. The pumpkin should be planted after the last frost 1.2 – 1.8 m apart, with 6 to 8 seeds in each inverted hill. This pumpkin enjoys a slightly acidic to neutral ph in well drained soil that contains lots of organic matter. The pumpkin should be harvested when the colour is solid, the rind is firm and the vine is beginning to die.
All pumpkin plants are monoecious, meaning they have both male and female parts on the same plant. The seed is open pollinated. To collect the seeds first allow the fruit to ripen and then remove the seeds, clean and dry them and store in a dry container.
Insect pests include leaf bugs, beetles and stem borers and larger pests can include rodents, deer and birds.
Hi: You’ll have to take pictures!!! I’m growing Musquee De Provence Winter Squash, which is an attractive orange and brown pumpkin that is supposed to be ideal for baking. Experimented with starting them from seeds inside to save time, as they take over 100 days to mature. Little plants are surviving, although I’ll be glad when the last frost date comes — May 8 — so I can finally get them in the ground.
Meanwhile, thanks for your nice message. Having trouble making comments to my blog this morning, for some reason. But your comments were very appreciated! Happy gardening…