What are the sun requirements for Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn'?

Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn' is a compact, vining annual squash cultivar that produces distinctive ribbed fruits with deep acorn-shaped indentations. The vigorous trailing vines can extend 8-12 feet with large, deeply lobed leaves that are dark green with prominent veining. The stems are thick, angular, and covered with short, stiff hairs that give them a rough texture. The hallmark feature of Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn' is its uniform, deeply ribbed fruits that measure 4-5 inches long and 3-4 inches in diameter. The skin is typically dark green with prominent longitudinal ribs and furrows, sometimes displaying orange or yellow patches as it matures. The flesh is bright orange, fine-grained, and sweet with a nutty flavor. Bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers appear throughout the growing season, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.

Native Range

Cucurbita pepo is native to northeastern Mexico and the southern United States, where wild varieties have been growing for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests this species was among the first plants domesticated in the Americas, with cultivation dating back over 10,000 years.

Suggested Uses

Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn' works well in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and large containers with adequate space for vine spread. The compact fruits are excellent for roasting, baking, and stuffing, making them popular for fall harvest displays and culinary use. They can also be grown vertically on trellises or fences with proper support for the heavy fruits.

How to Identify

Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn' can be identified by its characteristic deeply ribbed, acorn-shaped fruits that are typically 4-5 inches long with dark green skin and prominent longitudinal furrows. The trailing vines have large, palmately lobed leaves with 3-5 shallow to moderately deep lobes, and the stems are angular with stiff, prickly hairs. The bright yellow, funnel-shaped flowers are distinctive, and the mature fruits have a hard shell with sweet, orange flesh inside.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

mid-summer through early fall

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green with prominent light green veining

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 sand silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate to high

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

90-110 days

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn' requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season, particularly during fruit development. Water deeply at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting and side-dress with compost or well-rotted manure when vines begin to run. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Monitor for common pests like squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and vine borers, and practice crop rotation to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Pruning

Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn' typically does not require pruning, but you can pinch off the growing tips of vines once they reach desired length to encourage fruit development. Remove any diseased or damaged leaves promptly to prevent disease spread. Some gardeners remove excess male flowers to redirect energy to fruit production, and you can thin fruits to 2-3 per vine for larger, higher-quality squashes.

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Cucurbita pepo 'Table Queen Acorn' is non-toxic and safe for human consumption. The fruits, flowers, and young shoots are all edible, though the raw leaves and stems may cause minor skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to their coarse, prickly hairs.