Cucurbita ficifolia
Feigenblattkürbis
Common names: Fadenkürbis, Chilacayote
Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Feigenblattkürbis, botanically Cucurbita ficifolia, is a vigorous climbing pumpkin with deeply lobed, fig‑leaf‑like foliage and white‑speckled fruits. It is considered more robust than many other pumpkin varieties and produces long vines that readily climb several meters over fences or compost piles. Its fruits are exceptionally long‑lasting and are often used in the DACH region for sweet dishes such as Cabello de Ángel. Due to its strong root system, it is also frequently used in home gardens as a support base for refined cucumbers.
Care instructions
Plant the Feigenblattkürbis after the last frost, around mid‑May (week 20), in a sunny, sheltered spot with nutrient‑rich soil. Provide plenty of compost at planting and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season, especially during prolonged dry spells. Train the vines early to a sturdy trellis or allow them to spread generously on the ground, as the plant requires ample space. Harvest the fruits in autumn once the rind has hardened; they can then be stored in a cool, dry place for months. Rotate the location the following year to prevent soil‑borne diseases.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, well-drained
Feeding
Heavy feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
legume family (Fabaceae)
Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
You should avoid planting potato and cucumber together because they share disease pathogens such as leaf and brown rot and stand in each other's way as strong feeders.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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