What Is the Pattypan Squash? Characteristics and Cultivation Techniques Explained
The pattypan squash is a rare ornamental and edible garden plant, also known as the disc squash, saucer squash, scallop squash, and flattened-round zucchini. It is a variety of Cucurbita pepo (American pumpkin) in the Cucurbitaceae family. Its fruit can be both ornamental and edible. It has a very short history of cultivation in China, having been introduced from Russia, South Korea, the United States and other places. Below, let us take a look together at pattypan squash cultivation techniques!
Pattypan Squash Growth Habits
The pattypan squash prefers a warm environment, with a suitable growing temperature of 13-28°C. If the temperature is too high, the fruit is prone to aborting; if the temperature is below 10°C, growth stalls and the fruit does not swell. It likes light but can tolerate a certain degree of weak light, so it is suitable for both open-field cultivation and protected cultivation. It likes moisture and is not drought-tolerant. Because its leaves are large and transpiration is strong, special attention must be paid to water management in cultivation. The air humidity should be maintained at 70-80%; excessively high humidity makes it prone to powdery mildew. It likes fertilizer, and sandy loam or loam is suitable for cultivation, with a suitable soil pH of 6.5-7.0.
Pattypan Squash Cultivation Techniques
1. Land preparation and planting: After the frost period, plant when the minimum temperature is stably above 10°C. Use flat beds or ridge planting. For flat beds, the bed spacing is 40-50 cm, the bed width is 120 cm, the plant spacing is 80-100 cm, and there are 2 rows per bed. For ridge planting, the ridge spacing is 70 cm and the plant spacing is 100 cm. The plant and row spacing can be specifically determined according to variety characteristics. Before planting, prepare the land and apply 4000-5000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu, 30 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 50-100 kg of superphosphate.
2. Fertilizer and water management: After planting and seedling establishment, apply a vine-promoting watering along with topdressing. During the flowering and fruiting period, increase the water supply. During continuous strong-light and high-temperature periods in midsummer, water twice a day if necessary. During the growth period, apply topdressing 3 times: after seedling establishment, at full bloom, and at full fruiting. Avoid weed infestation. Before flowering, hoe and loosen the soil 2-3 times and cultivate to remove weeds, so as to promote root development.
3. Vine tying and disease prevention: Pattypan squash should be tied to supports in a timely manner, and old leaves and diseased leaves should be removed. From 6-9 a.m., artificial pollination can be carried out to help fruit set. At the same time, pay attention to pest and disease control. A 2000-3000 times solution of 20% fenvalerate EC can be sprayed on leaves to control aphids, a 2000 times solution of 25% buprofezin wettable powder can be used to control whiteflies, and a 2000-2500 times solution of 25% triadimefon wettable powder can be used to control powdery mildew.
Pattypan Squash Seedling Raising Techniques
1. Sprouting and sowing: Pattypan squash is raised in paper tubes or nutrient pots. Select plump seeds free of pest and disease damage and soak them at 28-30°C for 8-10 hours, then sprout them at 25-28°C. During sprouting, keep the sprouting bag moist and change the water 1-2 times a day. When more than 50% of the seeds have sprouted, sow them in a pre-prepared sowing tray, requiring a bottom soil thickness of at least 5 cm.
2. Mulching with plastic film: After sowing pattypan squash, cover with plastic film or a small arch shed to keep warm and moist. It is best to maintain soil temperature above 25°C, which helps the seedlings emerge. After the seedlings emerge, remove the covering and lower the temperature appropriately to prevent leggy growth. After the cotyledons have flattened out, transplant the seedlings into seedling pots (10*10 cm).
3. Seedling stage management: During the seedling stage, pattypan squash should maintain sufficient light, with light duration maintained at about 10 hours per day, which is beneficial for female flower differentiation. Use variable temperature management: on sunny days, maintain 23-28°C during the day and lower to 12-15°C at night; on cloudy days, maintain 20-25°C during the day and lower to 10-12°C at night, with a day-night temperature difference of 10-15°C. Harden the seedlings 5-7 days before planting.