Winter Squash
Cucurbita maxima
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Guam, Palau
Laurascudder
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Genus:
- Cucurbita
- Species:
- Cucurbita maxima
- USDA Symbol:
- CUMA3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, orange
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Euxoa tessellata, Gothic dart (Feltia subgothica), melonworm moth (Diaphania hyalinata), pickleworm (Diaphania nitidalis), Southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Xenoglossa pruinosa
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, squash bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to South America, prefers fertile soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–14 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 70-95°F (21-35°C). Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI