Cucurbita pepo aka Bitter Bottle Gourd

Taxonomy

Genus Cucurbita Family Cucurbitaceae Order Cucurbitales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Cucurbita pepo is a versatile plant that has been domesticated in the Americas for thousands of years. It yields varieties of winter squash and pumpkin, with pumpkins being one of the oldest domesticated plants dating back to 7,500 to 5,000 BC. Pumpkins are widely grown for commercial use and are used both for food and recreation, such as carving jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween. The most widespread varieties of Cucurbita pepo belong to the subspecies Cucurbita pepo subsp. pepo, known as summer squash. Acorn squash is an aggressive grower and prefers moist soil with full access to sunlight. Some authors suggest that C. texana is merely feral C. pepo, while others maintain that C. pepo is derived from C. texana. There are also disagreements about the exact nature of the connection between C. pepo and C. fraterna. Cucurbita pepo is a host species for the melonworm moth, the squash vine borer, and the pickleworm, and is also the preferred pollen for squash bees.

Common names

Bitter Bottle Gourd, Zucchini, Pumpkin

How to care for Bitter Bottle Gourd

Difficulty

Bitter Bottle Gourd presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Bitter Bottle Gourd should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Bitter Bottle Gourd loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Bitter Bottle Gourd prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Bitter Bottle Gourd is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Growth-pattern

Bitter Bottle Gourd grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Cucurbita Genus

Cucurbita digitata Coyote Gourd

Cucurbita foetidissima Buffalo Gourd

Cucurbita pepo Bitter Bottle Gourd

Cucurbita moschata Butternut Squash

Cucurbita argyrosperma Cushaw

Cucurbita palmata Coyote Gourd

Cucurbita ficifolia Asian Pumpkin