What are the sun requirements for Cucurbita pepo 'Delicata'?

Cucurbita pepo 'Delicata' is delicata squash (sweet potato squash), a trailing annual vine 96-120 inches (240-300 cm / 8-10 feet) long and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall. Oblong cream-colored fruit 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long, 1-2 pounds (0.5-0.9 kg), with dark green longitudinal stripes. The thin skin is edible when cooked — unlike thick-rinded winter squash that require peeling. The flesh is orange, sweet, and nutty. Bright yellow trumpet-shaped monoecious flowers. Large palmately lobed leaves. In the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). A winter squash classified under C. pepo (most winter squash are C. maxima or C. moschata). Heirloom (open-pollinated): introduced to the US in the late 1800s. Monoecious: requires bee pollination. Harvest at 80-100 days from seed when the skin is hard and the stem is dry. Shorter storage life than thick-rinded winter squash (6-8 weeks vs. 3-6 months) due to the thin edible skin. The vines require 50-80 sq ft (5-7 m²) per plant — not suited to small gardens without trellising (support the fruit with slings on a trellis). Susceptible to powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) and squash bugs (Anasa tristis). Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Native. Full sun. Tender annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Heirloom cultivar introduced to the US in the late 1800s. The species C. pepo is native to Mexico and the southern United States.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens with 50-80 sq ft (5-7 m²) per plant, or on sturdy trellises with slings. The thin edible skin eliminates peeling. Stores 6-8 weeks. Open-pollinated — save seeds. Not for small gardens without trellising. Non-toxic. Native. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by oblong cream-colored fruit with dark green longitudinal stripes and a thin edible skin on a trailing vine. The cream-and-green striped pattern and the thin edible rind distinguish delicata from all other winter squash types. In Cucurbitaceae. Native.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread8' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer to fall (July-September). Bright yellow trumpet-shaped monoecious flowers. Requires bee pollination. Fruit matures 80-100 days from seed when the skin is hard and the stem is dry.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow, trumpet-shaped, 3-4 inches (7-10 cm); monoecious

Foliage Description

Medium green with prominent veining; large, palmately lobed, 8-10 inches (20-25 cm); fine hairs on stems and petioles

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 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

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

80-100 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Rich moist soil pH 6.0-7.0. Requires bee pollination. Trailing vines need 50-80 sq ft (5-7 m²) or a sturdy trellis with slings. Harvest when skin is hard and stem is dry. Stores 6-8 weeks (shorter than thick-rinded types). Powdery mildew and squash bugs. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Tender annual.

Pruning

Pinch vine tips after 3-4 fruit have set to redirect energy. Remove subsequent female flowers. Lift developing fruit onto a dry surface (board, straw). Remove mildewed leaves for air circulation.

Pruning Schedule

summer