How to Grow Safed Kaddu in India | Growing White Pumpkin

Safed Kaddu not only tastes amazing but also looks quite beautiful growing in the garden! Let’s have a look at how to cultivate it easily.

Safed Kaddu in English is popular as White Pumpkin in India. It is a beautiful fruit that can be used in a variety of ways, like in curries, stews, and soups, which makes it perfect for cultivating in the home garden!

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Safed Kaddu Information

Safed Kaddu belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. White pumpkins are also popular as Ghost Pumpkins, Lumina, Snowballs, and White Casper. They grow in a white-gray color and have ivory-colored flesh. They are smooth and round, with a slightly flattened shape.

White pumpkins are slightly sweeter than traditional orange pumpkins and have a mild, nutty flavor. They can be used for baking, decorating, and even for making decorative table centerpieces. When cooked, white pumpkins can be pureed, mashed, roasted, or used in a range of soups and desserts.

Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima

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How to Grow Safed Kaddu?

Propagating Safed Kaddu can be done in several ways. One way is to plant Safed Kaddu seeds directly in the ground or in a container. Another method is propagating from existing pumpkins by taking cuttings from the stem. 

• Take a cutting from a healthy Safed Kaddu and plant it in well-draining soil.
• Water well and make sure it gets plenty of sunlight.
• Safed Kaddu is a vine, and t is important to support it by planting it near a trellis or fence or providing stakes for the vines to climb.
• White pumpkins typically mature in 90-100 days after planting.

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Requirements to Grow Safed Kaddu

Sunlight

White pumpkins require full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours daily to grow and produce fruits. Planting them in a location that receives direct sunlight for most of the day is best.

However, if the climate is hot and dry, providing shade during the hottest part of the day is essential to prevent the plant from getting scorched.

Soil

Safed Kaddu requires well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. White pumpkins prefer a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5, which is slightly acidic.

The growing medium should provide good drainage for water and nutrient retention. If the soil is too compact, add some organic matter, such as compost, to loosen it up.

Water

White pumpkins require about 1-2 inches of water per week, depending on the climate. Water should be applied evenly throughout the growing season until the fruit matures.

Additionally, White pumpkins need regular watering during the flowering and fruit-setting stage. Water should be applied at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves to prevent disease.

Mulching around the plants can also help conserve moisture.

Temperature

White pumpkins need a warm and humid climate to grow in, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 35°C. They grow well in areas ranging from 20°C to 25°C.

You can grow them throughout the year in India, but the best time to grow is from June to August.

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Safed Kaddu Care

Fertilizer

Safed Kaddu needs a balanced fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen is essential for plant growth and strong foliage, phosphorus is important for strong root development, and potassium helps with flower and fruit production.

When planting, mix a balanced fertilizer into the soil at the rate recommended on the package. During the growing season, you can use a liquid fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.

Apply it every two weeks or as recommended on the package. If you are growing White pumpkins in containers, use a slow-release fertilizer formulated for vegetables.

Pests and Diseases

Pests:

–Squash bugs
-Stink bugs
-Aphids
–Cucumber beetles
-Whiteflies

Diseases:

–Powdery mildew
-Fusarium wilt
-Downy mildew
-Phytophthora blight
-Bacterial wilt

• Pay close attention to Safed Kaddu and keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases. If you notice any issues, take action right away to prevent them from spreading.
• Mulching around your Safed Kaddu can help to reduce the number of pests and diseases that can affect them.
• Use an insecticidal soap or a neem oil solution to get rid of pests around Safed Kaddu. Also, avoid overwatering the plants.

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