In some circumstances fruit may rot and fall off before gaining any size, small losses are not necessarily a concern. If this problem persists then it may be attributed to a lack of pollination which can be remedied by hand pollinating. In the early morning, take a male flower (generally on a long stalk, no fruiting body present) and apply it to the female flower (small bulb or fruiting body, at the base of the flower) so as to transfer pollen from male to female, thus mimicking the action of pollinating insects.
Water the plant by dripper or applying water directly at soil level (soaker hose, etc.), no splashing, misting or spraying foliage. Do this sometime between sunrise and before sundown, to allow humidity levels around the plant to stabilise and reduce fungi disease problems.
Powdery mildew may become a problem if humidity becomes too high – try a weekly spraying of a water and milk solution (1 part milk: 9 parts water) over the leaves at the first signs of mildew.
Seed will generally sprout with no assistance, however if the seed coating has not naturally cracked, light scarifying with sand paper may be used if germination issues occur.
Aim to sow 1.17 inches (3.0 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 2.28 feet (70.0 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 21°C / 70°F to ensure good germination.Direct seed when soil has warmed up. Ideal range is 21 to 25°C ( 70 to 75°F)
May be grown and transplanted as young seedlings.
Fruit should be cut off leaving 5cm/2in stem on fruit. Fruit matures to bright orange when it should be cut from the plant & put in a warm, dry place for a few days to ‘Cure’ (the skin to harden).
Seeds once removed from the pulp can be dried after washing & sorting & kept in a cool, dark place till the following spring when they can be sown once again.
Seed viability is four years.
These estimates for how long Winter squash takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average 9 days | Min 2 days | Max 23 days (184)
Average 26 days | Min 7 days | Max 62 days (26)
Average 122 days | Min 93 days | Max 261 days (17)
The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for “large melon". The French adapted this word to pompon, which the British changed to pumpion and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, “pumpkin". 1, 2
A commonplace motif of people being turned into pumpkins by witches.
The Jack-o-lantern custom discussed above, which connects to Halloween lore about warding off demons.1
Pumpkin
Misspellings: Curcibita maxima, Butter cup squash, Curcurbita maxima