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A pumpkin is the fruit of the gourd Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita mixta, or Cucurbita moschata, a native plant of the Western hemisphere. Today, it is well-known in English cottage gardens, and largely cultivated in continental Europe and North America.
The pumpkin varies much in form, being sometimes nearly globular, but more generally oblong or ovoid in shape; the rind is smooth and very variable in colour. The larger kinds acquire a weight of 40 to 80 lb (18 to 36 kg) but smaller varieties are in more esteem for garden culture. When ripe, the pumpkin is boiled or baked, or made into various kinds of pie, alone or mixed with other fruit; while small and green it may be eaten like the vegetable marrow. The name squash is applied in America to this and other species of the genus Cucurbita. The name is adapted from an American Indian word (see L. H. Bailey, Cyclopaedia of American Horticulture, where is a fuller account of the squashes).
Summer squashes, like pumpkins, are mostly varieties of Cucurbita pepo; if picked while immature they are eaten as summer squash or marrow, but if left to mature on the vine will form a hard fruit like winter squash. Winter squashes are either C. maxima or C. moschata , and are not eaten in immature form. The varieties of pumpkins and squashes are numerous and great variety in size and shape; it is difficult to keep them pure if various kinds are grown together, but the true squash (C. maxima) do not hybridize with the true pumpkin (C. pepo) species. If carefully handled to avoid cracking of the skin, and kept dry and fairly warm, winter squashes may be kept for months.
Studies by the Royal Military College of CanadaDepartment of National Defence Motto:Truth, Duty, Valour Founded 1876 School type Public Chancellor Minister of National Defence Principal Location Kingston, Ontario Enrolment 1250 (approx. full-time Campus surroundings Waterfront Sports teams Paladin The show promise for pumpkins and other members of the Cucurbita pepo family to be viable candidates for DDTThis article is about the chemical. DDT is also a move in Professional wrestling, see Professional wrestling throws. DDT is also the name of a computer debugger. DDT is also the name of a Russian rock band. DDT or Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (ClCH)C phytoremediationPhytoremediation is the technical term used to describe the treatment of environmental problems through the use of plants. Certain plants are able to extract hazardous substances such as arsenic, lead and uranium from soil and water. One example is alpine. (see Sientific American, October 25, 2004)
Pumpkins have historically been pollinatedPollination is an important step in the reproduction of seed plants: the transfer of pollen grains (male gametes) to the plant carpel, the structure that contains the ovule (female gamete). The receptive part of the carpel is called a stigma in the flower by the native squash bee Peponapis pruinosa, but this bee has declinedPollinator decline is based on observations made at the end of the twentieth century of the reduction in abundance of pollinators in many ecosystems worldwide. Pollinators participate in sexual reproduction of many plants, by ensuring cross- pollination,, probably due to pesticideA pesticide is a chemical used to control, to repel, to attract or to kill pests, for example, insects, weeds, birds, mammals, fish, or microbes, that are considered a nuisance. Pesticides are usually, but not always, poisons. Examples of pesticides herbi sensitivity, and most commercial plantings are pollinated by honeybees today. One hive per acre (4,000 mē per hive) is recommended by the US Department of Agriculture. Gardeners with a shortage of bees often have to hand pollinate . Inadequately pollinated pumpkins usually start growing but abort before full development. Often there is an opportunistic fungusChytridiomycota Zygomycota Ascomycota Basidiomycota The Fungi (singular: fungus are a large group of organisms ranked as a kingdom within the Domain Eukaryota. Included are the conspicuous mushrooms, but also many microscopic forms such as molds and yeast that the gardener blames for the abortion, but the fix proves to be better pollination not fungicide.
Pumpkins are grown today in the US more for decoration than for food, and popular contests lead growers to vie for a new world record for the largest pumpkin grown. Growers have many techniques, some kept secret, but often include picking off all but one pumpkin, hand pollination, and injection of fertilizer or even milk directly into the vines with a hypodermic needle.
Illinois produces the most pumpkins in the United States.The largest pumpkin ever grown was of the variety "Dill's Atlantic Giant." The giant pumpkin was developed by Canadian breeder Howard Dill . It was 1,458 lbs and grown by Bruce Whittier from Henniker, New Hampshire. Another notable record relating to pumpkins in New Hampshire is from the town of Keene, New Hampshire which currently holds a world record for the most lit pumpkins in one location.
Pumpkin chunking is a competitive activity, involving teams building various mechanical devices to throw a pumpkin for the furthest distance. Catapults, trebuchets, ballistas, and air cannon s are the most common designs. Some pumpkin chunkers grow special varities of pumpkin, bred and grown under conditions to improve the pumpkin's chances of surviving being thrown.| Politics | Business | Finance |
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