Growing In My Garden

Here we are, about 6 weeks after planting:

About a week after the two baby leaves appear, the first “true” leaf, sporting jagged edges, starts to grow from the center of the young sprout, providing a glimpse of the plant to come. After three true leaves are established, the pumpkin plant moves into wild and crazy leaf and root development that lasts about eight weeks. At its peak, the vine can grow as much as 6″ a day.
Ten weeks after planting, the first flowers suddenly appear between leaves and tendrils. Each flower blooms for only one day. They start to unfurl just before dawn, and during a four hour period, they open into luxurious velvet bowls. By mid-day, they are on a slow course of folding in on themselves; and by dusk, they are sealed forever.
Every pumpkin plant has two kinds of flowers — male and female. Both are golden yellow, suggesting the color of the fruit to come. On the surface, males and females look quite similar. However, with a little observation you can begin to tell them apart. The male flowers, which appear first, sit on long thin stems and are more plentiful than females. The females sit closer to the vine and rest like queens on fuzzy round thrones — baby pumpkins in waiting.
In pumpkin land, the bees are the matchmakers, gathering pollen from the center of the males and depositing it inside the female flower while glutting themselves on sweet nectar. The bees are so busy with their gathering and guzzling, they are oblivious to onlookers and very unlikely to sting. So, if you are inclined, arise early in the morning, get out your binoculars and have a close look. It is like watching the California gold rush: greedy miners discovering the motherlode. Between watching bee visits, take a deep breath, and the delicate fragrance of the flower will add a new reward to your careful peeking.
Some avid growers (and seed “manufacturers”) imitate the bees and pollinate the pumpkins manually in order to control and develop certain traits. The process is quite simple: use a small artist’s brush to gather pollen from the males; carefully carry it to a chosen female and deposit the pollen by “painting” the center of her flower. To keep out all other would-be pollinators, place a small paper bag over the female flower and secure it with a rubber band. Not nearly as exciting as watching the bees, but interesting in a scientific sort of way.

19 out of about 30 of my plants have come up! Hooray! I may have some pumpkins in my yard this fall!

So far, so good. I bought seeds loose from a seed store, added some of my home grown mulch to the little mounds where I planted, 5 seeds in each about an inch deep, then watered. 5 days later, poof! Pumpkin sprouts!

Growing Pumpkins:

In a sunny spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun.

Typically in the middle of small hills or mounds about three feet in diameter. Surround each hill with a moat (about 4 inches wide and 4 inches deep) to help contain water around the roots. Plant 4 to 5 seeds in a circle in the middle of the hill, and space the seeds 6 to 8 inches apart. Space the hills about 10 feet apart.

Cover w/about an inch of loose, moist soil.

Sprouts in 7-14 days

After a few weeks, vines can grow as much as 6″ a day. Vines get as long as 30′ and can be pruned.

80% – 90% water means water often

Pumpkins are ready to harvest once the color of the fruit has deepened into one of the shades of the setting sun — somewhere between deep yellow and fiery red, depending on the variety. Leave several inches of stem — it helps them stay fresh — and let them cure in the sun for 10 days. Cover them at night if there is danger of frost. Then, store the harvest in a dry cool place. With proper care, you may just have pumpkins until Spring.

I planted mine today! Planted 30 seeds. Hope I get some pumpkins!