Green Striped Cushaw Squash
Green Striped Cushaw Squash is an heirloom variety that can be used for ornamental or eating purposes. Fruits can be anywhere from 7 to 25 lbs. Great for making pies, baked goods and freezing for later. Cucurbita mixta. 105 days to maturity.
Treatment: Untreated
Description
Be sure to check out our Winter Squash Growing Guide to learn how to successfully grow winter squash at home.
Green Striped Cushaw Squash is an heirloom, open-pollinated winter squash variety with big fruits that can grow as large as 25 lbs. This variety produces white fruits with light green, variegated stripes. The fruits have a bulb at the base, similar to a butternut squash. The neck of the squash will have varying degrees of bend which is typical with an heirloom winter squash variety.
Green Striped Cushaw Squash is widely-adapted, but particularly excels in hot and humid climates. This is a popular variety to grow for fall pumpkin sales, but also has an excellent eating quality. The interior of the fruits reveals a yellow to orange flesh that's great for pies and other baked goods.
Green Striped Cushaw Squash may be direct-seeded or transplanted. If direct-seeding, we recommend placing a seed every 12" along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. If transplanting, start Seeds in seed starting trays about 4-5 weeks before the intended in-ground planting date. Place transplants every 2' along the row and allow at least 5-6' between rows.
Winter Squash can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on winter squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well.
Winter Squash is a crop that will produce a one-time harvest at the end of the growing season. They should be harvested when plants die back and the fruits obtain their full color. Stem hardness is also an indication of fruit maturity. Once stems harden, fruits are ready for harvest using a set of pruning shears.
Winter Squash can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months, depending on variety and sugar content. Once fruits are harvested, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all pumpkin varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure.
Green Striped Cushaw Squash Planting Information
Planting Method: direct seed
When to Plant: after last frost
Planting Depth: 1/2"
Seed Spacing: 18-24"
Row Spacing: 5-6'
Days to Maturity: 105
Disease Resistance: None
