Distinctive, slender fruits are yellow with faint white stripes and light-green blossom ends are the hallmarks of this unique ‘squashcchini’ developed by Johnny’s Selected Seed. Harvest young at 10-15cm for unusually delicious, nutty flavour and firm texture. Vigorous, high-yielding plants.
NOTE: Under certain stressful situations, such as unprotected hot weather, Zephyr fruits can show some variability in the amount of green at the blossom ends. In addition, sometimes the first one or two fruits produced can be green-striped.
Key features
Edible Flowers: Blossoms bear a mild, squash-like flavour and are great stuffed and fried, or sliced for use in soups, omelettes, salads, and pasta dishes
Vigorous, high-yielding plants
Unusually delicious, nutty flavour and firm texture
CULTURE: Fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–6.8 is best. Plastic mulch and fabric row covers can aide plant establishment and exclude insect pests during the seedling stage. Row covers should be removed when plants begin to flower. Poor fruit development may indicate insufficient pollination. For highest quality fruit, succession plantings every 2-3 weeks may be needed.
TRANSPLANTING: Sow 2-3 seeds per 5cm container or plug flat about 3 weeks prior to transplanting. Thin to 1 plant/container or cell with scissors. Harden plants 4–7 days prior to transplanting. After danger of frost has passed, transplant out according to the spacing recommendations for each variety. Handle seedlings carefully; minimal root disturbance is best.
PLANT SPACING: In-row spacing is generally 45-60cm with 2 metres between-row spacing.
DISEASES: Common cucurbit diseases include powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, and phytophthora. Avoid problems with adequate soil drainage, good air flow, insect pest control, and crop rotation.
INSECT PESTS: Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and vine borers are all common pests for cucurbits. Protect young plants with floating row cover. Squash bug eggs found on the undersides of leaves may be crushed by hand. For vine borers, cut out of vines and hill soil over the wound. Keep field borders mowed and remove plant refuse in autumn; spring plow to bury pupae. Pyrethrin sprays may offer some control.
HARVESTING FRUIT: For some varieties, it is common for some of the the first fruit to be malformed, wither, or blacken indicating poor pollination and generally remedied as more male flowers appear. Harvest regularly, 2-3 times a week, once plants begin to produce. Cut or gently twist off fruits when they have reached the desired size. For summer squash, 10cm-15cm. Handle with care to avoid marking fruit
HARVESTING BLOSSOMS: To maximise blossom quality harvest male blossoms (with thin stems) or female blossoms (with thick stems and an immature fruit at the base of the flower) in mid to late morning when fully open. Clip flowers 2.5cm – 5cm below flower base
STORAGE: Store at 5-10°C, 95% relative humidity for up to 2 weeks. Use as soon as possible to maximise quality
DAYS TO MATURITY: 54 days from direct seeding; subtract about 14 days if transplanting.
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