Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia

Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia: variety and characteristics

Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia is an annual vegetable of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). An heirloom variety from Chioggia, a fishing town on the coast of Italy, south of Venice.

The large pumpkin is turban-shaped in a deep blue-green colour.

It is one of the most beautiful and unique of all pumpkins.

A perfect variety for gardeners. The rich, sweet flesh is deep yellow-orange and of good quality, delicious baked or in pies.

The pumpkins weigh about 5 kg. each and are produced on vigorous plants.

Originally from South America, this warty pumpkin was planted in Spain and then found popularity in Italy.

Introduced to Venice in the late 1600, this variety quickly became a beloved addition to the culinary culture.

The network of lagoons south of Venice has been inhabited since the 5 century. Pumpkins of this variety can be stored for up to six months.

This beauty of a pumpkin is still served along the canals of Venice, grilled with olive oil and served in slices.

Its fleshy and sweet texture has also made this pumpkin popular as a filling for ravioli and for making gnocchi.

The pumpkin is the symbol of the autumn garden — for roasting, pies, soups, purées and long winter storage. Besides edible ones, there are also ornamental varieties for decoration.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 89%
• Seeds per packet: 5–7 pcs (2 g)
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: April; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia

Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia seeds are sown in April. Harvest takes place in October. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 3–4 cm
• Spacing: 1–2 m
• Germination: 5–10 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Pumpkin seeds should be sown under cover or directly in spring. It is sown in pots between March and April and planted outdoors in May, allowing at least 4 sq. m. of space per plant. It can be sown 2 cm deep when the soil is already warm. Sunny places that warm up quickly are recommended, with fertile, moist but not waterlogged, nor acidic, soil. These large plants need plenty of food. Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. For the biggest pumpkins, feed every week throughout the growing season with fertiliser. Keep the huge plants well watered, especially in hot weather. Always water the soil and avoid any form of overhead watering other than rain. Pumpkins are cut with a few centimetres of stalk, after which they can be left to dry in the sun for a few days. It can be stored for months without spoiling. Ripe fruits should be picked in early autumn. They are resistant to mechanical damage and store well.

Sow directly into warm soil (above 15 °C) at 2–3 seeds per hill, or plant transplants at 3–4 weeks. The pumpkin likes rich, fertilised soil and generous watering when the fruit sets.

Harvest and use

Harvest when the stalk dries and the skin cannot be dented by a fingernail. Leave pumpkins in the sun for 1–2 weeks to “cure” before storing.

Frequently asked questions

When should Pumpkin Marina di Chioggia be sown?

The recommended sowing month is April. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 5–7 seeds, pack size 2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 89%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

How long does a pumpkin keep?

Well-ripened pumpkins with the whole stalk keep for 3–6 months in a dry, cool place (10–15 °C).

When is pumpkin sown?

Directly outdoors after the last frosts — late April and May; for an earlier harvest, transplants from early April.