How Do You Grow Valenciano Lumina White Pumpkin?

Last Updated on February 25, 2022 by William

Direct seeding is the recommended method for growing Lumina pumpkin. It requires fertile and well-drained soil for it to grow and bear fruits. It is also recommended to plant them 2 – 4 weeks after the last frost. When growing this pumpkin, it is important to consider the following:

• Sow the pumpkin seeds directly in a well-prepared garden.
• Give the pumpkin enough space to bloom.
• Sow the seeds in fertile and warm soil and just after the last frost has passed.
• To enhance soil drainage, sow the seeds in mounds.
• Keep the soil evenly moist and firm.

Lumina Pumpkin Growing 

Lumina pumpkin belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, Lumina cultivar. The rind of this pumpkin is white and with bright orange flesh. Growing this pumpkin requires specific soil conditions to bloom.

It takes about 95 days for Lumina pumpkin to mature and is ready for harvest between 95 and 120 days. You should, therefore, harvest them before the first frost.

Video – Growing Lumina White Pumpkin

How Do You Grow Lumina Pumpkins? – Best Conditions

Growing Lumina pumpkins happen in four steps that include preparing the soil, preparing the mounds, planting or sowing the seeds, fertilizing, and watering.

Preparing the soil

You need to test the acidity and alkalinity of the soil as well as the temperature. The recommended soil pH and temperature are 5.5 – 7.5 and 70 – 85 degrees F respectively. Ensure that there are no weeds and you can also add some composted manure to the soil.

Prepare mounds

The purpose of growing the seeds in mounds is so that the soil can have better drainage. The mounds spacing requirements are 3 – 4 feet apart, and for the rows, you can keep 4 – 6 feet apart. When preparing the mounds, therefore, you need to make them 18 – 24 inches wide, and with at least 8 inches in height. For better results, mix some composted manure with soil in each mound before sowing the seeds.

Plant the seeds

In each mound, plant 2 – 3 seeds and cover them slightly with soil. It will take 7 – 10 days for the seeds to germinate. If the soil is dry, water them to keep moist but do not water them too much to waterlog the soil.

Fertilizing and watering

Fertilizing and watering the seedlings will help them grow healthy. Ensure the plants get enough nutrients to grow, especially in the first three weeks of germination. You can apply drip irrigation during the dry season to help keep the soil moist.

Best Conditions to Grow Lumina Pumpkins

Soil type	Fertile, well-drained moist soil.
Soil pH	5.5 – 7.5 (slightly acidic)
Recommended sow method	Direct.
Seed spacing	3 – 4 feet.
Row spacing	4 – 6 feet.
Sowing time	After the last frost.
Seed depth	1 – 1.5 inches.
Soil temperature	70 – 85 degrees F.
Light range	Part to full sun.

Lumina Pumpkin Seeds

The seeds of the Lumina pumpkin variety look like those of normal pumpkins. They are sold in sachets and are available on Amazon and other online stores. The seeds take between 7 – 10 days to sprout when germinated in the right soil conditions.

White Pumpkin Varieties

Valenciano pumpkin belongs to the white pumpkin varieties. Other white pumpkins include the Hooligan pumpkin, snowball pumpkin, cotton candy pumpkin, Full moon pumpkin, Baby Boo pumpkin, Blanco pumpkin, and Casper pumpkin. All these varieties have white rinds and most have bright-orange flesh.

Are Lumina Pumpkins Edible?

Lumina pumpkins are edible and delicious. They have white rinds but inside is fleshy bright-yellow flesh. While they are used occasionally as ornamentals, they can make delicious recipes. Lumina pumpkins are also rich in nutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, and calcium among others.

When preparing Lumina pumpkin, you can roast or boil, add different ingredients, or blend to make purees and soups.

Do White Pumpkins Taste Different?

White pumpkins taste like the orange ones. There is not much difference in taste except that some varieties of the white pumpkins, especially the smaller ones are sweeter than others. That is why they are used in the same recipes as substitutes for the orange pumpkins.

Lumina Pumpkin Recipes

Lumina pumpkin can make different recipes. These can range from soups, stews, pumpkin pies, and curries among other recipes.

Roasted White Pumpkin Recipes

You can eat roasted pumpkin plainly or add more ingredients to make a delicious dish. To roast white pumpkin, you need to line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, and put it in the oven at 350 degrees F.

Ingredients

1. Pinch of salt.
2. Coconut or avocado oil.
3. One white/Lumina pumpkin.

You can apply these ingredients before roasting the pumpkin so that all the parts of the pumpkin get the taste of the ingredients. You should also apply a coat of coconut or avocado oil before placing it in the oven to cook. This should give you a tasty and delicious roasted pumpkin. of course, you may use other ingredients as you like.

White Pumpkin Pie

To make a white pumpkin pie, you need to blend a roasted pumpkin, then mix well together before baking in the oven.

Ingredients

• Cloves
• Milk
• Eggs
• Salt
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Ginger

Add the ingredients in the right proportions, mix them thoroughly, and then pour them into pie crusts that you have prepared and bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 425 degrees F. Let it stay in the oven until it is no longer watery or rather dry.

Which Pumpkins Are Best Eating?

There are different varieties of pumpkins that are good for eating. These include the Jarrahdale blue pumpkin, Cinderella pumpkin, Dickinson pumpkin, and the white pumpkin varieties like the Lumina pumpkin. The Kabocha and Fairytale pumpkins are also great for cooking and making pumpkin pies.

Which Pumpkin Is Sweetest?

The sweetest pumpkin is the Sugar pumpkin. It is also called the pie pumpkin. This pumpkin is the sweetest and good for making pies among other dishes. They have less water compared to most other pumpkins and have a sugary taste.

Resources:

Pumpkins Lumina (White) Information and Facts 

Valenciano – Pumpkin Seed

White Pumpkins: 30+ Pale-Peeled Pumpkin Varieties

Lumina Pumpkins – articles