|
Chapter 18, Part 1, Cucurbits:
Cucumber, Melon, Pumpkin, Squash, and Watermelon
Link to IPM Elements for cucumber, melon and summer squash and
pumpkin and winter squash.
Link to New York Cucumber Crop Profile
Link to New York Pumpkin Crop Profile
Link to New York Squash Crop Profile
Link to Resource
Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management
Recommended
Varieties
Listed in order of maturity within each class.
|
| Cucumber variety |
Pest Tolerance1
|
| |
ALS2
|
A
|
DM
|
PM
|
SM
|
CMV
|
| Slicing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Encore
|
H
|
-
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
Raider
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
H
|
M
|
Speedway
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
Dasher II
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
Thunder
|
-
|
-
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
Indy (trial)
|
H
|
-
|
-
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
Turbo
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
Meteor
|
H
|
-
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
Striker
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
Marketmore
76
|
-
|
-
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
Marketmore
86
|
-
|
-
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
M
|
| Pickling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earlipik
14
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
M
|
M
|
Eureka (trial)
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
H
|
1: L = low, M = moderate, and H = high level of tolerance to pest.
When disease tolerance for a particular variety is unknown, line is
left blank.
2: ALS = Angular leaf spot; A = Anthracnose; DM = Downy mildew; PM
= Powdery mildew; SM = Scab/Mosaic; CMV = Cucumber mosaic virus. |
|
| Melon variety |
Pest Tolerance1
|
| |
Powdery Mildew
|
Fusarium2
|
|
Earlisweet
|
-
|
-
|
| Sweet n Early |
H
|
-
|
| Starship |
-
|
-
|
| Superstar |
-
|
F2
|
| Gold Star |
-
|
-
|
| Saticoy |
H
|
F2
|
| Athena |
M
|
F0, 1, 2
|
| Classic |
-
|
-
|
| Cordele |
-
|
-
|
| Pulsar |
H
|
F1
|
| Earli-Dew (honeydew) |
-
|
-
|
|
1: L = low,
M = moderate, and H = high level of tolerance to pest. When disease
tolerance for a particular variety is unknown, line is left blank.
|
| 2: Fusarium race 0, 1, or 2 |
|
| Pumpkin variety |
Size (in pounds)
|
| |
| Jack-B-Little
(95) |
0.3
|
| Wee-B-Little
(95) |
0.4
|
| Baby
Bear (105) |
1-2
|
| Baby
Pam (100) |
2-3
|
|
Trickster (85) |
2-3
|
| Spooktacular
(85) |
2-3
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Smoothee (90) |
3-6
|
| Pick-a-Pie
(85) |
4-6
|
| Mystic
Plus pm (105) |
4-6
|
|
Hybrid Pam (90) |
5-7
|
| Racer
(85) |
10-12
|
|
Gold Standard (90) |
11-15
|
| Tom
Fox (110) |
12-20
|
| Merlin
pm (110) |
12-20
|
| Magic
Lantern pm (110) |
12-20
|
| Sorcerer
(105) |
14-18
|
| Gold
Strike (110) |
18-22
|
| Aladdin
pm (115) |
18-25 |
| Gold
Gem (105) |
20-25
|
|
Howden (110) |
20-25 |
|
Gold Medal (90) |
20-30 |
| Appalachian
(100) |
20-30 |
|
Gold Rush (120) |
20-35
|
| Prizewinner
(120) |
50-80 |
| Atlantic
Giant (125) |
>80 |
| |
|
| Summer Squash variety |
Pest Tolerance1
|
| |
CMV2
|
WMV
|
ZYMV
|
|
Zucchini
|
|
|
|
| Zucchini Elite |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Revenue |
-
|
H
|
H
|
| Senator |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Dividend |
H
|
H
|
H
|
| Milano |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Tigress |
-
|
H
|
H
|
| Seneca |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Gold Rush |
-
|
-
|
-
|
Straightneck Yellow |
|
|
|
| Seneca Prolific |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Multipik |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Goldbar |
-
|
-
|
-
|
Scallop |
|
|
|
| Peter Pan (green) |
-
|
-
|
-
|
| Sunburst (gold) |
-
|
-
|
-
|
Crookneck Yellow |
|
|
|
| Freedom III |
H
|
H
|
H
|
| Sundance |
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
1: L = low,
M = moderate, and H = high level of tolerance to pest. When disease
tolerance for a particular variety is unknown, line is left blank.
|
|
2: CMV = Cucumber mosaic virus; WMV = Watermelon mosaic virus;
ZYMV = Zucchini yellow mosaic virus
|
|
| Winter squash variety |
Type
|
| Fresh |
|
| Table Ace |
acorn
|
| Tay Belle |
bush acorn
|
| Table Queen |
acorn
|
| Sweet Mama |
buttercup
|
| Waltham |
butternut
|
| Ambercup |
buttercup
|
| Puritan |
butternut
|
| Zenith |
butternut
|
Processing |
|
| Boston Marrow |
|
| Golden Delicious |
|
|
| Watermelon variety |
Fruit size (lb)
|
Pest Tolerance1
|
| |
|
Anthracnose
|
Fusarium
|
| Seeded |
|
|
|
| Yellow Doll |
5-7 |
- |
- |
| Sugar baby |
8-12 |
- |
- |
| Huck Finn |
15-25 |
- |
- |
| Emperor |
15-25 |
- |
- |
| Royal Majesty |
15-25 |
- |
- |
| Royal Flush |
15-25
|
-
|
-
|
| Carnival |
15-25 |
- |
- |
| Mardi Gras |
15-25
|
-
|
-
|
| Sangria |
22-26
|
H
|
H
|
| Crimson Sweet |
15-25
|
-
|
-
|
Seedless |
|
|
| Crimson Trio |
14-16
|
-
|
H
|
| Millionaire |
13-20
|
-
|
-
|
1: L = low, M = moderate, and H = high level of tolerance to pest.
When disease tolerance for a particular variety is unknown, line
is left blank.
|
Disease resistance tables for: pickling cucumber, slicing cucumber, muskmelons, pumpkin, specialty melons, watermelon, yellow summer squash, and zucchini squash
1998 Cornell Report: Butternut Squash Trials - Text , Table , and Pictures
1998 Cornell Report: Melon Variety Summary Text, Table, Pictures
1998 Cornell Report: Seedless Watermelon Trial - Text Table Pictures
1999 Cornell Report: HyVita Squash: A new high carotene squash
2000 Cornell Report: Pumpkin Variety Performance in Northern New York:
Upstate (Text, Table)
2000 Cornell Report: Winter Squash Variety Performance in Northern
New York: Upstate (Text, Table)
2000 Cornell Report: Seedless Watermelon Variety Trial: Long Island
(Text, Table)
2000 Cornell Report: Pumpkin/Calabaza Observation: Long Island (Text, Table 10, Table 11)
2000 Cornell Report: Pie Pumpkin Variety Evaluations: Lake Plains
(Text, Table)
2000 Cornell Report: Jack-O-Lantern Variety Evaluations: Lake Plains
(Text, Table)
2001 Cornell Report: Winter squash Variety Evaluations(.pdf files:
text
| tables)
photos
2001 Cornell Report: Pumpkins Variety Evaluations (.pdf files: text
| tables)
photos
2002 Cornell Report:Asian Vegetables (text
and table | Photos
2002 Cornell Report: Heritage and specialty melons (text|
| Photos|
table
)
2002 Cornell Report:Public Seed Initiative- Melon Cultivar evaluation
(Text
and Tables | )
2003 Cornell Report: Charentais melons (text
| photos
)
2003 Cornell Report: Public Seed Initiative- Melon Cultivar evaluation
(text,
photos and tables)
2003 Cornell Report, Long Island:Cantaloupes (table
3- Yield | table
4- Fruit characteristics)
2003 Cornell Report, Long Island: Organically grown winter squash
(table)
2003 Cornell Report Capitol District: Selecting
the Right Pumpkin for Your Market (pdf.)
2003 Cornell Report Capitol District: Pumpkin Variety Evaluations
(table)
2005 Cornell Report Capitol District: Summer
and Zucchini Squash
Planting Methods
Cucumber and melon
Cucumbers for early harvest are started as transplants
while later plantings are direct seeded in pots or cell-type containers.
Melons do not grow well and may suffer chilling damage when air or soil
temperatures are below 50°F. Typically in upstate New York, transplants
are set in the field between June 1 and 10 for harvest in mid-August
to early September. In warmer regions of the state and when row covers
are used, the transplanting date may be two to four weeks earlier.
Wind, combined with low air temperatures (32°to
50°F), can severely damage vine crops, retarding maturity and reducing
yields. Soil temperatures below 50°F also slow growth and impair
water uptake by roots. For these reasons, plastic mulch and row covers
are often used, especially for early-season production of melons. Black,
clear, or infrared-transmitting (IRT) mulches can be used. Remember
that row covers enhance daytime temperatures and growth but provide
at best only a few degrees of frost protection at night. Compared to
other crops, melons have had the most consistent, positive response
to plastic or spunbonded fabric row covers for increased early-season
production. The covers are applied at transplanting and removed at flowering
to allow bee pollination.
Another means of wind protection is to plant rye strips
between every second or third row of the crop. Site selection is also
important for wind protection and optimal soil temperature. Light-textured
soils that warm quickly in the spring are preferable to heavier soils
that remain cool. Good drainage, fertility, and high organic matter
are other soil features that will improve the potential for good yield
and quality.
See Cornell Report: Brushing for height control in transplants
2003 Cornell Report: Pruning Charentais Melons for
Higher Quality (text
| table
| photos)
Pumpkin and winter squash.
These are normally direct seeded after all danger of
frost has left.
1999 Cornell Report: Butternut Squash Yield at Different Spacings and after Minor Defoliation
2000 Cornell Report: Mulching Systems for Pumpkin Producation: Upstate
(Text, Table)
2000 Cornell Report:Weed Suppression in No-Till and Contentional-Till Pumpkins: Upstate
2000 Cornell Report: Paper Mulch: Can it Replace Plastic? : Upstate
(Photos, Text)
2001 Cornell Report: Growing systems for pumpkin production
(.pdf files: text
| tables)
photos
2004 Cornell Report:Pumpkin Production using Reduced
Tillage (text
| table|
)
2005 Cornell Report:Pumpkin Production using Reduced
Tillage (text
| table|photos
)
Summer squash.
Container grown plants may be used for the early crop
and are planted into plastic mulch. Early plantings should be protected
from cold and winds with row covers or hot caps and windbreaks. See
discussion under Cucumber and melon for details.
Watermelon.
Watermelons should not be transplanted to the field
until daily mean temperatures are above 55°to 60°F. Many varieties
require over 100 days to mature, so season extension techniques are
important.
Transplants should be produced in a greenhouse with
temperatures between 75° and 85°F. Each transplant should
have at least a two inch by two inch space. Seedless watermelon seed
should be planted with the point up to facilate growth. Overseeding
may be appropriate if the germination test is low. Transplants from
seed typically take about three weeks to grow in the greenhouse.
2000 Cornell Report: Paper Mulch: Can it Replace Plastic? : Upstate
(Photos, Text)
2001 Can paper mulch replace black plastic? (.pdf files:
text
| tables)
photos
2002 Alternative Mulch Product (text
and photos | table)
2003 Cornell Report: Alternative Mulch Products (text,
table1,
table2,
photos)
2004 Cornell Report: Alternative Mulch Products (text
| table1
| table
2 |Tips
for Success with Biodegradable Mulches | photos
)
2005 Cornell Report: Alternative Mulch Products
text | table1
| photos
| Tips
for Success with Biodegradable Mulches
Commercial
Biodegradable Mulch Sources
Ontario,
Canada fact sheet on pollination of vine crops
|
| Table 18.1 Recommended spacing. |
|
| Crop |
Row
|
In-row
|
Comments
|
| Cucumber |
|
|
|
Slicers
|
5-6'
|
10-15"
|
Seed 1/2 to 3/4 pound per acre for transplants and 1 1/2 pounds per
acre for field seeding.
|
Pickles
|
2-5'
|
3-8"
|
Seed 2 1/2 to 5 pounds per acre for field seeding. Row spacing as
close as 2 feet with in-row spacing of 3 to 12 inches is possible
with seeding rates of 4 to 4 1/2 pounds per acre. |
| Melon |
5-6'
|
2-3'
|
Some growers set 2 plants per "hill" at this spacing.
|
|
Pumpkin
|
|
|
|
Bush
|
4-6'
|
18-24"
|
Seed 4 to 6 pounds per acre.
|
Vining
|
6-8'
|
24-36"
|
Seed 2 to 4 pounds per acre.
|
| Squash |
|
|
|
Bush
|
4-6'
|
18-24"
|
Seed 4 to 6 pounds per acre.
|
Vining
|
6-8'
|
24-36"
|
Seed 2 to 4 pounds per acre. |
| Watermelon |
6-8'
|
3-4'
|
Some growers set 2 plants per "hill" at this or
slightly wider spacing. Less than 1 pound of seed per acre is usually
required.
|
| Seedless Watermelon |
6-8' |
3-4' |
Plant 2-3 seedless rows for every seeded row |
Crop rotation and disease management article
Fertility
Use lime to maintain a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. See Table18.2
and Table 18.3 for the recommended rates of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium.
Cornell cover crop decision tool
See Cornell article on nutrient deficiency symptoms
Go to the Cornell Nutrient Analysis Lab website to find out
how to get soil samples tested.
Cornell Soil Health website and manual
SARE Publication: "Building Soils for Better Crops"
SARE publication: "Managing Cover Crops Profitably"
|
|
Table
18.2 Recommended nutrients based on soil tests for seeds and transplants
in bare ground.
If the pH is between 5.5 and 6.0, apply 5 pounds
of magnesium per acre in the fertilizer band. If the pH is below
5.5, apply 10 pounds of magnesium
|
|
|
N pounds/acre
|
P2O5 pounds/acre
|
|
K2O pounds/acre
|
Comments |
| |
Soil Phosphorus Level
|
|
Soil Potassium Level
|
|
| |
low
|
med.
|
high
|
|
low
|
med.
|
high
|
|
|
100-120
|
120
|
80
|
40
|
|
120
|
80
|
40
|
Total recommended. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
80
|
40
|
0
|
|
80
|
40
|
0
|
Broadcast and disk-in. |
|
30-40
|
40
|
40
|
40
|
|
40
|
40
|
40
|
Band place with planter or sidedress one week after transplanting. |
|
30-401
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Sidedress when plants begin to run. |
|
1: If nitrogen
deficiency is likely because of leaching or waterlogged soil, increase
nitrogen sidedressings by 30 pounds.
|
|
Table 18.3 Recommended nutrients based
on soil tests for transplants in plastic mulch with fertigation.
If plastic mulch is used without fertigation,
broadcast and incorporate all fertilizer before laying plastic mulch. |
|
|
N pounds/acre
|
P2O5 pounds/acre
|
|
K2O pounds/acre
|
Comments |
| |
Soil Phosphorus Level
|
|
Soil Potassium Level
|
|
| |
low
|
med.
|
high
|
|
low
|
med.
|
high
|
|
|
100-120
|
120
|
80
|
40
|
|
120
|
80
|
40
|
Total recommended. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40
|
80
|
40
|
0
|
|
40
|
40
|
0
|
Broadcast and disk-in. |
|
15-20
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
Fertigate 1 week after planting. |
|
15-20
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
Fertigate 3 weeks after planting. |
|
15-20
|
20
|
0
|
0
|
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
Fertigate at fruit set.1 |
|
15-20
|
20
|
0
|
0
|
|
20
|
0
|
0
|
Fertigate 2 weeks before harvest. |
1999 Cornell Report: Muskmelons Yields with Compost as a Fertilizer Source
Harvesting
Cucumber
Both fresh-market and pickling cucumbers are picked
by hand four to five days apart depending on temperature and moisture.
A field can generally be picked ten to 15 times.
Populations of 40,000 plants or more per acre concentrate yields sufficiently
for mechanical harvesting of pickles. Success of machine harvest depends
on establishing a uniform stand, harvesting when ten percent of the
fruit are two inches in diameter or larger, and moving the fruit quickly
from the field to the processing plant.
See UC Davis post harvest guide for cucumbers
Melon
Melons should be harvested at "full slip"
when the fruit slips easily from the vine. The ground color under the
net starts to turn yellow at full slip, and the soluble solids (determined
with a handheld refractometer) are greater than eight percent. Eastern
melons are bruised easily during harvest, and this can shorten shelf
life.
The winter or honeydew-type melons do not slip when ripe. Harvest is
based on experienced observations of the change in color of the ground
spot and amount of softening of the blossom end at optimal ripeness.
Eating maturity of melons occurs one to three days after harvest, and
the best flavor is attained if melons are held near 70°F for this
final ripening, then chilled for serving. If melons are to be stored
longer, they should be held at 50° to 55°F and 85 to 90 percent
relative humidity. Eastern melons will seldom maintain quality when
stored longer than one week. Winter melons such as honeydew can be stored
for two to four weeks, at 45° to 50°F and 90 percent relative
humidity. All melons are subject to chilling damage if held at temperatures
lower than those indicated.
See UC Davis post harvest guide for cantaloupe
Pumpkin and Squash
In fields where pumpkins are turning orange, it is
worthwhile to cut and windrow and bring them in out of the field. This
will allow the handles to cure and protect fruit from insects, vertebrate
pests, and diseases. For best color development, day temperatures in
the 70's to 80°F and night tmeperatures no lower than 65°F is
best. If you need to leave pumplins in the field for pick-your-own,
cut handles from the vine to save them from advancing disease.
Store only mature fruit that is free of disease. Harvest
and place the fruit under shelter before it can be damaged by chilling
or freezing. Fruits subjected to temperatures below 50°F for two
weeks or more may break down and rot.
Desirable storage conditions are 50° to 55°F at a relative
humidity of 50 to 75 percent with good air circulation to maintain uniform
temperature and humidity throughout the storage period. During a long
storage period, fruit will lose less moisture if humidity is maintained
near 70 to 75 percent.
Acorn-type squash can be stored ten to 15 weeks after
which quality deteriorates rapidly. Other squash may be kept up to six
months under good conditions.
See UC Davis post harvest guide for pumpkin and winter squash
Ontario,Canada
fact sheet on pumpkin and squash
Watermelon
Watermelons should be harvested when the tendril on
the vine at the juncture between the fruit and stem turns brown; the
ground color under the melon turns yellow; and "thumping"
produces a dull, hollow sound. In some varieties, a slight bumpy surface
develops when the watermelon is ready to be harvested.
Watermelons are best stored at 55°F and 90 percent relative humidity.
If handled gently, they should store two to three weeks under these
conditions. Some seedless varieties may have a slightly longer storage
life. Holding at temperatures less than 50°F causes the red color
to fade quickly to pink.
See UC Davis post harvest guide for watermelon
See Cornell Report: Food Safety Begins on the Farm
See Cornell "Smart Marketing"
series.
See USDA grade standards for fresh cucumbers, fresh cantaloups, fresh watermelons, summer squash, winter squash/pumpkins, and pickling cucumbers
See USDA Marketing site
See current
wholesale prices from US markets
See "Fresh Now from New York Farms"
SARE Publication: "Marketing Strategies for Farmers and Ranchers"
SARE Publication: "Direct Marketing Resource Guide"
|
| Table 18.4 Nonpathogenic disorders |
|
| Disorder |
Affected crop(s) |
Cause/Recommendation |
| Oedema(picture) |
Pumpkin/winter squash |
Provide a consistenlevel of moisture to help reduce this moisture-stress
related problem. |
| Poor fruit set |
All |
Related to poor pollination. Also, weather dependent. Provide hives
at a rate of 1 hive per 2 acres.Ontario,
Canada fact sheet on pollination of vine crops |
| No female flowers
(picture) |
Cucumber/squash |
Variety or weather related. |
| Fruit cracking |
Melon |
Due to excessive rainfall or irrigation. |
| Misshapen fruit |
Cucumber |
Poor pollination or water management during fruit enlargement.Ontario,
Canada fact sheet on pollination of vine crops |
| Fruit hollows |
Cucumber/watermelon |
Water management during fruit enlargement is essential. |
Ontario, Canada fact sheet on pollination of vine crops
Ontario,Canada
fact sheet on pumpkin and squash
Disease Management
| Alternaria
leaf blight | Angular leaf spot |
Bacterial leaf spot | Anthracnose
| Bacterial wilt | Belly rot
| Choanephora blossom blight | Cottony leak | Damping-off | Downy mildew |
| Fusarium wilt | Fusarium
crown and | Verticillium wilt |
Gummy stem blight | Nematodes | Phytophthora blight | Plectosporium blight |
| Powdery mildew | Scab | Sclerotinia white mold | Seedborne diseases | Septoria leaf spot |
| Storage rots | Cucumber mosaic virus | Ulocladium leaf
spot |
| Watermelon mosaic virus | Papaya
ring spot virus | Zucchini yellow mosaic virus
|
See Cucurbit disease diagnostic key
SARE Publication: "A Whole-Farm Approach to Managing Pests"
|