What are the sun requirements for Cucurbita maxima 'Kabocha'?

Cucurbita maxima 'Kabocha' is kabocha squash (Japanese pumpkin), a trailing vining annual growing 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and 72-120 inches (180-300 cm / 6-10 feet) wide. Flattened round (drum-shaped) winter squash 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) diameter, weighing 3-5 pounds (1.4-2.3 kg). Dark green rind (sometimes with gray or orange patches). Deep orange flesh — dense, dry, and sweet (denser and less watery than butternut). Bright yellow funnel-shaped flowers — separate male and female (monoecious). Medium to dark green round to palmate foliage with soft hairs. In the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Cucurbita maxima — distinct from C. pepo and C. moschata. Soft round stems (not angular like C. pepo). Open-pollinated — cross-pollinates with other C. maxima (Hubbard, buttercup) but not with C. pepo or C. moschata. Requires 90-120 days from seed — a limitation for short-season climates. Vines need 6-10 feet (180-300 cm). Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) and powdery mildew. Stores 3-4 months at 50-60°F (10-16°C). Non-toxic (edible crop — flowers, seeds, young leaves also edible). Tender annual. Full sun. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar of Japanese origin. The species C. maxima is native to South America (Bolivia, Argentina).

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens with ample space (6-10 feet / 180-300 cm vine run). Winter squash — stores 3-4 months. Dense sweet orange flesh. Open-pollinated. Non-toxic. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by flattened round (drum-shaped) dark green winter squash with dense deep orange flesh on trailing vines with soft round stems and round palmate leaves. The soft round stems distinguish C. maxima from C. pepo (angular stems) and C. moschata (angular stems, tan at maturity). In Cucurbitaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Summer (June-August). Bright yellow funnel-shaped flowers 4-5 inches (10-13 cm). Monoecious. Bee-pollinated. Fruit matures 90-120 days from direct sow.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow, funnel-shaped, 4-5 inches (10-13 cm); monoecious (separate male and female flowers)

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green with prominent veining, large round to palmate, 10-14 inches (25-35 cm) wide, with soft hairs (not bristly like C. pepo)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

90-120 days from direct sow

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Space 36 inches (90 cm) with 6-10 feet (180-300 cm) vine run. Requires bee pollination. Harvest when stem is dry and corky. Cure 2 weeks. Squash vine borer and powdery mildew. Stores 3-4 months. Non-toxic. Tender annual.

Pruning

No pruning needed. Harvest when stem is dry and corky and rind is hard. Leave 3 inches (7 cm) of stem. Cure 2 weeks at 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). Remove spent vines after frost.