Pumpkins can take about 90 to days to grow depending on the variety. You need to make sure they get the required temperature during these days.
You should check the seed packets or seedling tags to find out the exact dates on when the pumpkins will be ready for harvest. Several signs will indicate that the pumpkins can be harvested. One sign is that the tendrils will turn brown and dry. Another sign is when the pumpkins have turned deep yellow in color. You can tap the pumpkin and if they make a hollow sound, it means they are ready for harvest.
The pot you choose will determine whether the pumpkin plant grows well or not. I suggest choosing a pot that is 24 inches deep and wide. It should be able to hold at least gallons of potting soil to plant a small variety of pumpkin. You can pick a pot made from any material like plastic, terracotta, ceramic, or metal. I like to use a plastic pot to grow pumpkins because they can be durable, inexpensive, lightweight. The plastic pot also does not lose moisture as quickly as a material like terracotta.
Make sure the pot you choose has drainage holes at the bottom. This ensures that when you water the plant any excess water can drain out from these holes and protect the plant from root rot. Now that you have got the right pot to grow your pumpkin plant, make sure it is sterilized before using it. This will help remove unwanted pests and diseases from the pot.
The simplest way to sterilize the pot is to soak it in a solution containing 1 part bleach and 10 parts water. Keep the pot in this solution for an hour and then rinse it well with water. You can dry the pot in the sun before using it. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom so it can drain out the excess water. If there are no such holes, you should drill some. Now you can start adding soil to the pot. But before that place some newspaper at the bottom of the pot.
This helps prevent the soil from falling out of the drainage holes. I recommend buying good potting soil instead of using garden soil. The garden soil can contain pests, diseases, and chemicals that will harm the pumpkin plant. This will not help create a suitable texture for growing a pumpkin plant. You can make your own potting soil by mixing 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite, and 1 part coco coir. If you have compost , add some to this potting soil so the plant can get nutrients.
This will prevent the soil from spilling out when watering. The support will help the vines grow vertically and prevent the pumpkins from touching the soil. This will help the plant grow well and protect it from pests and diseases that are present in the soil. The simplest way to provide support to the pumpkin plant is by using a trellis. You can make one yourself with a tomato cage, wooden stakes, and rope.
This helps prevent disturbing or damaging the plant and its roots. Invert the tomato cage and place it in the pot. Tie the top of the tomato cage so it can form a teepee shape. You can then interweave the wooden stakes in the tomato cage. And bury the lower end of the stakes in the potting soil. Make sure to use stakes that you interweave through different sides of the tomato cage.
You can get the pumpkin seeds from a nursery, garden center, or you can buy them online. I suggest planting the seeds directly in the pot if you can.
But if you have a short growing season, you will have to start the seeds indoors weeks before the last frost date. I recommend using a peat pot to start seeds because you can transplant the peat pot itself in the larger pot without disturbing the roots.
Before you can plant the seeds, soak them in warm water for at least 8 hours. The pumpkin seeds are hard so you can also file along the long edge a bit. This helps the seeds germinate with ease. Push the seeds in the pot about 1-inch deep. You need to spray water on the potting soil to keep it moist till the seeds can germinate. Make sure the seeds are getting at least hours of full sunlight that will help them germinate. The pumpkin seedlings will germinate after days and you can continue providing the required water to the seedlings.
After the seedlings have developed leaves and grown inches, you can transplant them outdoors if grown in a peat pot. The process is the same if you have bought the seedlings from a garden center. After germination, thin the seedlings leaving only the strongest plant. Pumpkins are vulnerable to pests and diseases, particular powdery mildew, so keep an eye on your plant for any changes or infestations. If the weather is cooler, failed pollination may result in small fruits rotting spontaneously.
This is untreatable and will remedy itself once the weather improves and pollination resumes. Just pick off and dispose of the rotten fruits. If you are focusing on size rather than quantity then limit your plant to growing just one fruit. If multiple fruits appear, simply pick off the smaller fruits, allowing your plant to focus its energies on a singular pumpkin. All being well, your pumpkin s should be ready for harvesting roughly four months after sowing.
You will know if the fruit is ready to be harvested by tapping the skin of your pumpkin. If the skin is hard and it sounds hollow then the fruit is ready. Use pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the fruit, leaving approximately 10cm of stem for longevity of shelf life. Find out how to prepare your pumpkins for picking or click here for a delicious pumpkin and pearl barley recipe. Before planting, you can also work in a high-nitrogen fertilizer.
This way, you can give your pumpkins the best start possible. I had well-established pumpkin seedlings that I started indoors in the early spring. I grew one per pot. You can also choose to start from seed if your growing season is long enough. Plant three or four seeds in little hills. Once they take, thin the seedlings, so only the healthiest plant remains. Growing in pots is tricky because they leech out moisture and nutrients quickly, so be sure to stay on top of this step.
These are important to keep the fruit protected. But once the pumpkin vines get going, lay off the nitrogen. I worked a slow-release, organic fertilizer into the soil every three weeks throughout the growing season. The brand Acti-Sol Tomatoes and Vegetables worked very well for me. Whatever you choose, be sure it has a decent amount of phosphorus for the blossoms. The potassium content is especially important for the fruit once it forms.
Pumpkins are also very thirsty, so be sure to give the pot a thorough soaking every day in hot weather. Using a moisture meter will help you know when to skip watering and hold off until the next day. Some people choose to lift the pumpkins off the ground or support them as they spill over the side of the pot pantyhose can be used. I just let the gourds spill over the sides and they were fine! A graduate of Concordia University, she left the hustle and bustle of the business after starting a family.
Her interests include great food, gardening, fitness, animals, and anything outdoors. Several vegetables such as Swiss chard, beets, bok choy, carrots, spinach, kale, lettuce, leeks, snow peas, and radishes are renowned …. There is so much emphasis these days on growing our food that flowers are sometimes forgotten or pushed to the ….
We all want the best for our seedlings, right? Your email address will not be published. Love your can-do approach! Thanks for reading! All articles All categories. Farm to Table Looking for inspiration after harvest? Grow Your Own Whether you love flowers, fruits, veggies, herbs, or all of the above, follow our step-by-step guides to growing them organically in the comfort of your own home. Sep 25, Choose The Right Variety When growing pumpkins in containers, select a small variety.
Choose The Right Earth Fill your container with a good-quality, nutrient-rich soil.
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