Siamese pumpkin BIO - Cucurbita ficifolia

A squash with fig-like leaves and flesh that turns into strands. Siam squash (Courge de Siam), also known as fig-leaf gourd, is a very vigorous, strongly trailing plant. It produces oval fruits with green skin marbled with cream and white flesh that separates into long strands when cooked. Ripe fruits can be stored for a very long time.

At a glance

• Growth habit: very vigorous, trailing or climbing, with stems several metres long
• Fruits: oval, green with cream marbling, white flesh
• Sowing in pots: April – May, at 18–22°C
• Direct sowing / transplanting: after frosts, from 15–20 May
• Harvest: August – October, before frosts
• Position: full sun, warm, humus-rich soil
• Difficulty: easy
• Seeds per packet: 12

What makes this variety special

This plant belongs to a distinct species, Cucurbita ficifolia. Its stems can spread for many metres, so they can be left to trail along the ground or trained over a pergola, sturdy fence or other strong support.

The most unusual feature is the flesh: when a ripe fruit is cooked, it separates into long, translucent strands traditionally used to make a preserve known as “angel hair”. Its flavour is mild, so it pairs well with spices and citrus. As it is a different species from courgettes, common squash and butternut squash, the risk of cross-pollination with them is much lower.

Growing step by step

Sowing in pots (April – May): Sow one seed per pot, 2–3 cm deep, in slightly moist seed compost. Maintain a temperature of 18–22°C. Avoid overwatering – constantly wet soil can cause seeds to rot before germination, which occurs after 10–15 days.

Direct sowing: From the second half of May, once the soil has warmed and the risk of frost has passed, seeds can be sown directly in their final position. The harvest will usually be later, so we recommend raising seedlings instead in the Polish climate.

Transplanting (after 15–20 May): Plant seedlings in a warm, sunny spot in soil enriched with mature compost. Leave at least 1.2 m between plants and plenty of room for the stems to spread.

Care: Water at the base of the plant during dry spells, especially while fruits are forming. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the fruits off the soil. Pruning is not necessary, but overly long stems can be shortened. Pollinating insects are needed for fruit to set.

Uses

Prepare young fruits like courgettes. Use the mature flesh for preserves (“angel hair”), bakes, stews and spiced desserts and preserves. Harvest fruits for storage once the skin has hardened and the stem begins to dry, always before frost. Undamaged, fully ripe squashes can keep for more than a year when stored in a cool, dry place.

Gardener’s tip

About the producer

The seeds come from Semailles – a small-scale Belgian producer of organic seeds based in Namur Province, Wallonia. Semailles offers only non-hybrid varieties (no F1), including many traditional and collector’s varieties. Some seeds are propagated in its own fields, while others are produced in partnership with organic growers in Belgium and France. All batches are certified organic (inspection BE-BIO-01).

Specifications