Cosmos F1 Hybrid Butternut Squash
OUTSTANDING QUALITIES
- VIGOROUS, BUSH TYPE PLANT
- EXCEPTIONAL UNIFORMITY
- MEDIUM-SIZED FRUIT
- HIGH YIELD POTENTIAL
Cosmos F1 hybrid is a Cucurbita moschata type butternut with medium-sized fruit. The bush plants are vigorous and tend therefore to be less susceptible to diseases. Yield potential is excellent for a bush type plant. Fruit shape is similar to that of Waltham and the weight is 800 – 1200 g. The smooth rind has a tan colour when mature. Cosmos is well adapted for planting in spring. As fruit set is concentrated, the fruit may be ready for harvest when supply to the market is limited. One of the advantages of the bush plant is that mechanical weed control is possible well into the growing season. Cosmos has intermediate resistance to Powdery mildew (Px) (ex Sf).
SPECIAL VARIETAL REQUIREMENTS
- Cosmos is recommended only for the fresh market, not processing or export
- Suggested plant population is 15 000 plants per ha
CHARACTERISTIC*: COSMOS
KIND: F1 hybrid squash (Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne) Duchesne ex Poiret)
TYPE: Butternut squash
MATURITY: 85 – 100 days to harvest as mature fruit
SEASON: Widely adapted for production after danger of frost has passed
PLANT TYPE: Bush
FRUIT SHAPE: Cylindrical, with a bulbous blossom end
RIND COLOUR: Tan
YIELD POTENTIAL: 30 – 35 t/ha
MATURE HARVEST MASS : 800 – 1 200 g
SHELF LIFE (MATURE FRUIT): Medium
UNIFORMITY: Excellent
POPULATION GUIDE: Final stand of 15 000 plants per ha
DISEASE REACTION (SCIENTIFIC):
Intermediate resistance: Podosphaera xanthii (ex Sphaerotheca fuliginea) Px (ex Sf)
MARKETS / END USE: Fresh market
SPECIAL FEATURES: Very uniform, medium size fruit. Early, concentrated fruit set and early harvesting of fruit
