Genovese - Zucchini

This old variety produces elongated "Cocozelle"-type fruits with light-green skin marbled with gray and completely smooth. Their creamy-white flesh has a delicate flavor.

WHAT ARE THE

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GENOVESE ZUCCHINI?

The "Genovese" variety of zucchini, Cucurbita pepo, has a bushy habit and produces elongated, light-green fruit measuring 15 to 20 cm in length. The flowers can be eaten as a salad or fritter.

HOW TO GROW GENOVESE ZUCCHINI SEEDLINGS?

How to grow "Genovese" zucchini plants from seed?

• You can sow "Genovese" zucchini seeds in pots between March and April, placing 2 to 3 seeds per pot. Transplanting takes place 2 to 3 weeks after sowing in pots. Fibrous roots, caused by sowing zucchini seeds too early, can make it difficult to grow this planting in the garden. It is therefore important not to sow too early. Zucchini seed emergence is facilitated by temperatures of 18 to 20°C, combined with sufficient humidity.
• Sowing "Genovese" zucchinis in the open ground takes place from April to June, in a sunny 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 GENOVESE ZUCCHINI?

Transplant zucchini plants in a sunny spot in mid-May, spacing them about 1 m apart in all directions. Make sure they are well watered and composted. Hoe and weed regularly. Install mulch at the base of the plant to preserve soil moisture. Water close to the base in summer without wetting the leaves.

Companion plants can be used to enhance zucchini cultivation by promoting flower pollination and repelling pests. Put plants such as basil and beans nearby.

WHEN TO HARVEST GENOVESE ZUCCHINIS?

Genovese" zucchinis can be picked between May and October. It is advisable to harvest the fruit before it reaches maturity. Avoid pulling them off, preferring to cut them close to the stem. Zucchini flowers are also edible.

HOW TO STORE GENOVESE ZUCCHINI?

Freezing is an effective way of storing fresh zucchinis for up to a year. Cook the zucchinis and place in airtight freezer containers or bags. Lacto-fermentation is also an excellent alternative to the freezer.

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.

High temperatures can prevent zucchini plants from producing and developing flowers, and therefore fruit. Poor pollination can also be the cause of fruit failure. It is therefore important to grow several zucchini plants together and attract pollinating insects to ensure good fertilization of the flowers.

HOW TO PRODUCE GENOVESE ZUCCHINI SEEDS?

Here are the steps for producing zucchini seeds:

1. Choose the most beautiful zucchini plant: the one with the earliest fruit, the one with the most fruit, and so on.

2. Let the best zucchini from this plant mature on the ground. They will grow and their skin will thicken.

3. Wash the seeds to remove all pulp.

4. Let the seeds air-dry on absorbent paper or a plate for about a week.

5. Store the dried seeds in a paper bag or airtight container away from light and moisture.

6. 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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