10 Seminole Winter Squash seeds, 'Hanging Pumpkin,' Cucurbita moschata, USDA Organic
(110 days) Specialty Winter Squash/Pie Pumpkin. Native to Florida. A semi-tropical climbing vine grown in America for over 500 years. Rated as one of the ten most endangered American foods.
Open-pollinated. Traditionally grown by the Native American peoples of the Calusa, Creek, and Miccosukee tribes. Seminole pumpkins are still one of the tastiest and most reliable pumpkins for long-season, southern gardens. The Florida Seminole Indians gave it the name chassa-howitska, meaning ‘hanging pumpkin.’ These buff-colored seven-inch, teardrop-shaped squashes were cultivated by the Seminoles in the Everglades region of Florida to before the time of Columbus. The seeds were sowed at the base of leave-less trees, so that the semi-tropical vines, which grow in excess of 30 feet, climbed up the trunks so that the fruit hung from the bare limbs.
The deep orange flesh is sweeter than a butternut, quite superb for pies, soup and other baked treats, and is the key ingredient in Seminole pumpkin bread.
Heavy nitrogen feeders. May be direct-seeded or transplanted. Direct seeding: Sow 4–5 seeds per hill one inch deep after any danger of frost. Allow 4–6' between hills. Thin to 2-3 best plants. Use row covers and low tunnels to hasten maturity and reduce insect damage. Transplanting: Start indoors three weeks before setting out. Do not disturb the roots. Transplant 30 inches apart. Tender, not frost hardy. Excessive heat and/or drought can prevent blossom set and reduce yields.
USDA Certified Organic. Needs strong trellis support to climb.