Also known as Rouge Vif d'Etampes--a very lovely, rich, deep orange pumpkin. It's okay for pies and baking but not the best. I believe it's used for soup in France. I'm also growing them this year. One of the best pumpkins for baking is the Long Pie pumpkin. The seeds can be hard to find but the quality is outstanding. It has an unusual, long shape and turns orange quite late.

By the way, pumpkins will cross with several other squashes. You need to hand pollinate if you have other squash of the same sub-species growing nearby. If you don't want to hand pollinate you could also plant just one type of squash from each of the sub-species. The most common ones are C. pepo, C. moschata, C.maxima and C. mixta. Rouge Vif D'Etampes is a C. Maxima.
There's a good book available called Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth tha explains the diffent seed saving techniques.

Thanks for the book tip. Will look for it. Thanks too for the pollunation tip. Will zucchini bother? I have them planted about 15 feet away from the Rouge Vif D'Etampes. I am growing the pumkins for October decorating and surprise gifts for family and friends. I so loved having the pumpkins stacked up three high on my porch last year for October that I now want to have these inside on the hearth and on the Harvest table, plus the deck and porch. Out of 30 seed I planted 27 have sprouted. I have them in a raised type bed with a large trellis type of thing. I thought I might put each pumkin in it's own net type hammock and secure it onto the trellis to keep them off the ground. The ground is leaf mulch, just did not want any discoloring. What are you planning to do with yours?
If I do get enough pumkins for my decorating needs and gifts I just might sell a few off the driveway in October. Will work on learnig how to save seed. Thanks so much.
Sherry

I believe most zucchini are C. pepo so they shouldn't cross with the pumpkins. Otherwise the varieties need to be separated by up to 1/2 mile.

I'm only growing about 2 plants because I'll have a few other types of pumpkins growing. I have a big garden and lots of other work here so there usually isn't time to give special care to the plants. If I can keep up with just weeding then I'll be doing good!

I love the Cinderella pumpkins! I am trying them for the first time this year also ... I started them indoors in late March, and since the weather has been a bit unpredictable here, they haven't been planted outside yet ... maybe this weekend. They'll have to be planted soon, though because the "little" plants are in pots and they have blossoms already!!! I can't believe it.

Wow blooms! Much fun. We will have to compare notes as the season goes on. We had 6.5 inches of rain on Monday and the darlings did just fine. I may need to thin as I have two plants at each support. It is hard to pull even one out as I have been excited about them ever since I bought the seed. Will have to force myself to do this!!
Sherry

I am also trying these for the first time this year. I already have one tiny pumpkin and lots more flowers. Can't wait to see them fully grown.

Also known as Cinderella's Carriage because of it's shape. Despite what some say they are great to cook with. They have more flavor and less water than jackolatern pumpkins. The color inside is a rich orange. They are great for desserts, side dishes, soups. Check out this link, http://www.organicauthority.com/index_fall04.html and for an easy soup recipe check out this link, http://www.organicauthority.com/gardening/gardening_article_4.html. I tried this recipe and it is very easy and delicious. I am not usually a soup maker.

Would love to hear about other's experience with these last year. Mine did just fine, grew huge, beautiful leaves, pumpkins set on and all was so well until the dreaded squash bugs came!! I took off as many as I could and did save two plants. Ended up with only 3 pumpkins! Will do them again this year but am going to grow nasturiums near and I am moving the location. Was so happy with these, just beautiful and they taste just fine as soup! This year I will have to double my bug control efforts. How about yours?
Sherry

Unfortunately it isn't as simple as it seems when IDing what certain seed sources are offering as Cinderella.

Sometimes they are referring to Rouge Vif D Entamps and if so will usually say the fruit has a bright orange color.

Other places offer a Cinderella that is tan in color and has the same fruit form and that one is called Musquee de Provence.

As I recall, but without checking, Territorial offers both.

Carolyn, who doesn't find either one to be the best for culinary use . And you can read about the Musquee de Pr ovence at Baker Creek if you want to know more about it. Actually if you do a search for this Forum you might even find one of the several threads already done about these two so called Cinderella pumpkins, for there have been several in past times.

Last summer we had one of the coldest summers ever. Any crop that needed heat did poorly. We usually have warm summers here. I only ended up with one small Fortna White pumpkin. I sure hope this year will be better.

Sherry,

If it doesn't conflict with your scruples, use rotenone, pyrethrin or sevin to combat the bugs. These are non-toxic to mammals (us, our pets and much wildlife). Your crops will be happy.

Jim

Thanks to all of you! I do buy from Baker Creek and Seed Savers and a few other sources. This year I am working on more Heirlooms flowers and vegtables. Have been smittened by the squash world in general! Am reading The Compleat Squash and so enjoying it. Will be growing more pumpkins this coming season. Since I do organic I am trying more compainon plantings and planning on keeping a closer eye for the dreaded squash bugs. Did not know they liked pumpkins so well. Since last year was my first year to grow pumpkins I am in the "learning" about them stage. They are heavy feeders and do take up lots of space!
Sherry

Hi gang!!! Well I need a little help here. I am planting these for the first time at the front of a school here in Philly. I was just curious how long the vines get and how many pumpkins might be on a vine. Can anybody help???

Also, I am trying to figure out whether to plant them in the area that would then go onto the lawn or the area that would go toward the fence. The area is a rectangle with a fence on 3 sides and the school on one side and a grassed area in the middle. The garden is around the peripheral.

Please help.

Faye