Ortolana Di Faenza - Zucchini
This hardy old variety has fairly short fruit, slightly enlarged at the base. The skin is light green with darker stripes, and the flesh has a highly appreciated flavor.
WHAT ARE THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ORTOLANA DI FAENZA ZUCCHINI?
Ortolana di Faenza" zucchini, Cucurbita pepo, is a bushy variety of fruiting vegetable. This early variety produces elongated, light-green fruit 20-30 cm long. The flowers are edible in salads or fritters.
HOW TO SOW ORTOLANA DI FAENZA ZUCCHINI SUCCESSFULLY?
Ortolana di Faenza" zucchini seedlings can be sown in two ways:
- Ortolana di Faenza" zucchini seedlings should be sown between March and April. It is advisable to sow 2 to 3 seeds per bucket and transplant the plants 2 to 3 weeks after sowing. It's important not to sow zucchini seeds too early, to avoid the formation of fibrous roots that could hinder their growth in the garden. Zucchini seed emergence is facilitated by temperatures of 18 to 20°C, combined with sufficient humidity.
- Zucchini "Ortolana di Faenza" should be sown in the open ground from April to June, in a bright spot and after the last frosts. To do this, prepare holes two weeks in advance, filled with compost or organic matter and spaced 1 m apart in all directions, to receive the seedlings.
HOW TO GROW ZUCCHINI ORTOLANA DI FAENZA?
Transplant zucchini plants in a sunny spot around mid-May, spacing them about 1 m apart in all directions. Be sure to water them well. Compost is recommended. Hoe and weed regularly. Mulch at the base of the plants to preserve soil moisture. Water close to the base in summer, without wetting the leaves.
Combine companion plants to encourage flower development while keeping pests at bay. Basil or beans, for example.
WHEN TO HARVEST ORTOLANA DI FAENZA ZUCCHINIS?
Ortolana di Faenza" zucchinis are harvested between May and October. It's best to harvest them while they're still young. Cut them close to the stem rather than pulling them off. Zucchini flowers are also edible.
HOW TO STORE ZUCCHINI ORTOLANA DI FAENZA?
Freezing is an effective way of keeping zucchinis fresh. Simply cook them, then place them in airtight containers to freeze.
WHY DOESN'T MY ZUCCHINI PLANT PRODUCE FLOWERS OR FRUIT?
When a zucchini plant doesn't produce flowers or fruit, there may be several reasons for this.
Zucchini production can be affected by high temperatures. Poor pollination can also prevent fruit formation. To avoid these problems, we recommend growing several zucchini plants together and attracting pollinating insects to ensure good fertilization of the flowers.
HOW TO GROW ZUCCHINI ORTOLANA DI FAENZA SEEDS?
Here are the steps for producing zucchini seeds:
Choose the most beautiful zucchini plant: the one with the earliest fruit, the one with the most fruit, and so on.
Let the best zucchini from this plant mature on the ground. They will grow and their skin will thicken.
Wash the seeds to remove all pulp.
Let the seeds air-dry on absorbent paper or a plate for about a week.
Store the dried seeds in a paper bag or airtight container away from light and moisture.
The seeds are now ready to be used for sowing next year. But they can be stored for several years without any problem.
We've put together a Youtube video on zucchini seed extraction.
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Sow in pots at 18-20°C, 2 to 3 weeks before planting. Transplant with the root ball into the ground, after the last frosts, at a distance of 1 m in all directions. For sowing directly in the ground, sow after the last frosts when the soil is well warmed. Sow or transplant in planting holes filled with compost and prepared 2 weeks in advance.
Cucurbita pepo
From 200 to 300 g
12 seeds
From 45 to 100 cm
From 20 to 30 cm
Italy
Inconnue
This ancient variety originated in Italy.