Cucurbita pepo 'Romanesco Latino'
courgette 'Romanesco Latino'
A compact dual-purpose summer squash cultivar, producing pale green and dark green striped, ridged, courgettes which are renowned for their nutty and excellent sweet flavour. They are ready to harvest when approximately 15-20cm (6-8in) in length. These are produced over a long period from July to October, as long as the developing fruits are regularly picked. The fruits can also be left to develop as marrows and are best harvested before exceeding 10cm (4in) in diameter and 40cm (16in) long, when they will still retain their sweetness and firm texture. The plant's relatively compact habit makes it suitable for growing in containers on the patio, where border space is limited. The bright yellow flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and can also be picked and used in cooking.
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Yellow | Green | Green | |
Autumn | Yellow | Green | Green | |
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture retentive but well drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun. Sow indoors March to May in good quality seed compost. Sow the seeds on their side 1cm deep and maintain a constant temperature of 18-21C. Feed regularly with a high potassium fertiliser when the first fruits start to swell. See courgette cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews
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