PlantFiles: Winter Squash, Cushaw Pumpkin
Cucurbita mixta 'Tennessee Sweet Potato'

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Family: Cucurbitaceae (koo-ker-bih-TAY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Cucurbita (koo-KER-bih-ta) (Info)
Species: mixta (MIKS-tuh) (Info)
Cultivar: Tennessee Sweet Potato
Additional cultivar information: (aka Green Striped Bell)

Synonym:Cucurbita argyrosperma

» View all varieties of Squash

3 members have or want this plant for trade.

Type:
Cushaw (winter)

Height:
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)

Spacing:
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Days to Maturity:
81 to 90 days

Mature Skin Color:
Light Green
Striped

Size:
12 to 20 pounds (5 to 9 kg)

Habit:
Vining

Disease Resistance:
Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV)
Powdery Mildew (PM)

Seed Type:
Open Pollinated

Other details:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Propagation Methods:
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting:
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored

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By dave

By Farmerdill

By dave

By Farmerdill

By dave

By lizday

By mgarr

Profile:

1 positive
2 neutrals
No negatives

Gardeners' Notes:

Rating	Author	Comment
Neutral	berrygirl	On Mar 3, 2007, berrygirl from Braselton, GA (Zone 7b) wrote: First listed in 1847 by New York seedsman Grant Thorburn as 'Green Striped Bell' and most likely renamed by Burpee in 1883 as 'Tennessee Sweet Potato'. Poor eating qualities, 10-20 lb fruits are best for extrememly long-lasting decorations. Does well in cooler weather. 95-100 days.
Neutral	WildPear	On Feb 9, 2006, WildPear from Palmyra, IN wrote: I have not grown Tennessee Sweet Potato, but since it is C. mixta, it should be resistant to squash vine borer which kills all the C. pepo and C, maxima squash and pumpkin cultivars I try to grow. I had been planning to try Tennessee Sweet Potato', but SSE recommends it only for fall decorations, Therefore I will try 'Neck Pumpkin', 'Ultra' Butternut, or 'Kentucky Field' pumpkin which are all C. moschata. I had been growing wagon loads ( a few tons) of pumpkins since 1940 with my Father, but since 2000 vine borers have killed every plant. It turns out that all the cultivars I planted since 1999 were C. pepo. I guess the pumpkins we grew from Dad's original seeds were C. moschata as they looked like what is now sold as 'Kentucky Field Pumpkin' Harold Eddleman 47164
Positive	Farmerdill	On Dec 30, 2003, Farmerdill from Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) wrote: This is a pear shaped pumpkin similar to the Green Striped Cushaw but without the neck. A very old variety listed in Burpee's 1888 catalog. I haven't been able to find it listed since the 60's. Grows well, tho not as prolific as the other cushaws.