An American Heirloom with a hidden treasure
The Red Warty Thing squash is an American heirloom from the late 1800's akin to a Hubbard squash. It is not the best looking heirloom squash since it has a thick red orange rind weighing between 10 and 20 pounds that grows little bumps that look like warts hence the name. The tough rind makes it a bit challenging to remove however the reward is pounds of smooth dense flesh fabulous for cooking, storing, roasting, pickling, freezing.
Scientific Name: Cucurbita maxima
Plant Life Cycle: Annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 18C
Germination time in days: 7-14 Days
Indicative Days to maturity: 105 Days
Sunlight: full sun
Soil requirement: rich in organic matter, well drained, fertile
Sowing and cultivation: Start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost. Sow 1.5 cm deep. Provide 21C soil temperature. Transplant out 1m apart without disturbing roots. Direct sow outdoors when soil is over 21 C degrees F. Germ 7-10 days.
