Plant Care & Gardening Tips@ HortChat.com©

Pumpkins

Filed under: — admin @ 12:27 pm


Pumpkins
A sure sign that autumn is arriving is when you see piles of pumpkins in the stores. Large mounds of pumpkins arranged by size at the pumpkin farm allow children to pick the shape and size they want for Halloween. Today, this is probably the most popular use of Cucurbita pepo, Howden and Jack o Lantern, Connecticut field-type pumpkins.
This year 2007 the Guiness World Record pumpkin(Atlantic Giant seeds) is 1689 lbs. and took 87 days to grow.

pumpkins

Derived from the Greek word pepon meaning large melon, the word pumpkin went thru several changes. The French nasalized pepon into pompon, the English in turn pronounced it as pumpion and the American colonist (rebels that they were) changed it to pumpkin. Its long history dates back many centuries but originated in Central America.

There are many benefits to this Native American fruit (yes, it is considered a fruit). Pumpkins were used not only for food but medicine and other items. According to my HERBS book, the seeds were thought to expel worms and prevent prostate problems. The Native American used to roast seeds and strips of pumpkins on an open fire and eat them. They would also dry flattened strips and make mats out of them. Pumpkins were used for removing freckles and healing snake bites. The first pumpkins pie happened when Colonist cut the top off, removed the seeds, poured milk, spices and honey inside, then baked it in hot ashes. The pumpkin was then the crust, not the filling. Today, Pumpkins are still used as a vegetable, in soups, breads and pies. The flowers are edible and the seeds are still roasted and enjoyed as a delightful snack..

Pumpkins have come a long way; they vary in size, shape and color adding new avenues to creative decorations as well as culinary delights. Stemming from a large gene pool, some have been hybridized for unique shapes and coloration while others for their seeds, texture and flavor. Heirloom pumpkins seeds maintain the genetic bio-diversity that is important to future crops. Each unique variety that has been passed down for generations has developed some resistance to disease or pests which can be used to breed into modern varieties. The Seed Savers Exchange works diligently to preserve and save the genetic history of many crops from extinction. If you have some heirloom seeds to share, contact the Seed Exchange (seedsavers.org).

Happy Thanksgiving! Bake a pumpkin pie!
check out the Tale of Jack-O-Lantern

Tell a Friend or Foe about this 'Pumpkins article'
Bookmark this thread on Pumpkins
previous post: Tale of Jack o’ Lantern
next post: Spider Plant

20 Comments on Pumpkins»

  1. My kindergarten class wants to plant pumpkins for the fall. When do I start getting the soil ready and plant the seeds for beautiful pumpkins in the fall? Help!

    One option is to start them in a container. In cooler climates they can be started indoors one month before the frost-free date in your area and then planted outdoors when the weather permits (early June). Pumpkins are a warm weather crop and do not tolerate cold temps. Seeds can be planted directly in the garden after the frost-free date. Pumpkins like full sun (8-10 hrs) and well drained soil. Before planting, till the soil and add organic material or a 10-10-10 at a rate of 1 1/2 lbs per 100 sq. ft. of fertilizer. They need 100+days to produce pumpkins before the frost.

    Comment by Nancy — 4/10/2005 @ 8:40 am

  2. Im growing 3 small sugar pumpkins plant. i woke up this morning and all the leaves where gone. there are still some at the base of one of the plants. i think an animal got to them. my question is will i still be able to get any pumpkins or should I just dig them up and start again next year.

    If there are any healthy leaves left you might get something. The plant can send out more runners and pumpkins will come later in the season. But what’s to stop the critter from dining again?

    Comment by Boniery — 7/28/2005 @ 2:03 am

  3. IF I PICK OFF THE FLOWERS THAT DON’T HAVE PUMPKINS STARTING, WILL THAT HELP THE OTHER ONES GROW FASTER AND BIGGER?

    The first flowers are males. It won’t make a difference if they are removed. Once the female flowers (the ones with the swelling at the base of the flower)to bloom, leave the male flower as they are needed for pollination. If you want bigger pumpkins, keep one or two and remove any subsequent flowers. By doing so, you will channel most of the nutrients and energy to the one pumpkin helping it grow faster and bigger.

    Comment by Wade — 8/2/2005 @ 7:17 am

  4. i have pumpkins growing and the leaves looked great until a week ago now they are slowly dying out. i have about 7 pumpkins and they look great they’re turning orange already are they suppose to do this and will they make it till Halloween this is only 3rd week in Aug . is there something i can do to save them?

    Leave the pumpkins on the vine for as long as you can. Protect the bottom of your pumpkin from rot & insects by placing a liner such as a board, newspaper or landscape fabric. If you are forced to pick them, store them in a cool,(50-55) dark place. My pumpkins are doing the same thing and I have squash bug and vine borer-a double whammie. To see if you have squash vine borer split open one of the dying vines and check at the node (where leaf comes out) you’ll see a fat,cream colored larva.

    Comment by valerie rembacki — 8/22/2005 @ 2:49 pm

  5. Hi, I grew pumpkins for my son last year but only 1 came, then the leaves went powdery white, the stem eventually black and the pumpkin died. Moved patch and have had more success this year with three pumpkins and one a good size (but still black). However, leaves are powdery white and stiff again and stems going black. Help! Don’t want to disappoint son for a second year. It’ll put him off gardening for good. Great site but please help Eddie

    Sounds like you have powdery mildew Depending on the severity, try spraying it with a baking soda formula that is more effective as a preventative when applied on a regular basis. Add 1 Tbsp each of baking soda and horticultural oil (dormant oil spray) to 1 gallon of water. Spray weekly making a new mix each time. I also heard of 1 tbsp of pine sol to 1 gal of water as a spray. You can also try Benomyl (systemic fungicide), sulfur/fungicidal soap. Once the disease takes hold it is difficult to control. Some cultural things that can be done are to remove the infected leaves, do not crowd the plants, provide good air circulation and keep plants well watered and stress free

    Comment by Eddie Moffatt — 8/30/2005 @ 5:11 am

  6. How do you tell a male flower from a female flower in melons in order to aid fertilization?

    The initial flowers that appear are usually male flowers which have slender stems and are smaller than the female flowers. Female flowers have a tiny melon below the flower. Bees pollinate the flowers, if for some reason that does not happen, you can hand pollinate by clipping the male flower (with pollen on their anthers) and dusting it on the pistils of the female flower.

    Comment by Chris — 3/12/2006 @ 4:37 pm

  7. Should I use hay or some other kind of straw to keep pumpkins off the ground when growing to avoid rot?

    Yes, straw or hay not only helps avoid rot but keeps insects from drilling into the pumpkin. Another method is to place a board, under developing pumpkins to raise it off the ground. Be sure to turn them periodically to get a nice round shape.

    Comment by Tim — 6/7/2006 @ 1:19 pm

  8. Storing pumpkins
    It’s early June, my pumpkins sprouted and grew just from leaving last years (store bought) pumpkins in the garden. I now have 3 beautiful orange pumpkins. When do I pick them? How do I keep them until fall? I live in Louisiana where it’s quite warm. Will they keep in my house?

    Pick the pumpkins when the vines are dry, and fruit is an even orange color. Cut a 3-6 inch stem. The pumpkin needs to cure @ 80 degrees and 80% humidity for 10 days. After curing, store in a dry, cool place with temperatures around 50-55 degrees and relative humidity of 50-70%. Don’t store with apples, hard surfaces like concrete or stack them on top of each other. Pumpkins should be free of cuts, scratches or bruises, otherwise it will invite disease. After all that they can last 2-3 months. If you want pumpkins for Halloween its still not to late to start new ones.

    Comment by Nan — 6/11/2006 @ 11:00 am

  9. My pumpkins are flowering, small pumpkins are forming and then rotting and falling off the vine - what should I do?

    I am assuming your plants are healthy and disease free. If so, your pumpkins may not have been pollinated well because of hot or cool weather and/or slow bee activity. When the weather moderates you should get more pumpkins, if not help by hand-pollinating the flowers. To hand-pollinate, take a small brush and transfer pollen from the male flower (stamen) to the female flower part (pistil). The female has a small swelling below the flower. Another easier method is to take the male flower’s stamen and rub it in the pistil of the female flower.

    Comment by Dot Yang — 7/9/2006 @ 11:07 pm

  10. Can I plant pumpkins in a container? If so, when should I transplant it?

    Yes, you can start them in a container. In the cooler climate they should be started indoors around May and then planted outdoors when the weather permits (early June). Pumpkins are a warm weather crop and do not tolerate cold temps. This time of year, you can plant seeds directly into the ground. It may be too late for the cooler regions because they need 100+days to develop and produce pumpkins before the frost. In warmer climates you may still have a chance as the growing season is longer.

    can i grow my pumpkins in a large pot?

    Yes, you can but just make sure you keep it well watered during the hot weather and fertilize regularly with a 10-10-10 especially after they set fruit.. You can also add a time-release fertilizer to the soil. Because pumpkins make long vines and need lots of space, grow the smaller varieties or bush types to accommodate your container

    Comment by Kris — 9/11/2006 @ 3:10 am

  11. I have planted crooked neck squash. The plants look healthy but when the fruit starts to develope the squash turns a dark orange as if it is old and the fruit is hollow. I figure it is a worm of some type, but what and how do I get rid of it. I use seven dust on plants.

    You may be the victim of squash vine borer. An olive brown moth will lay is eggs on the stems near the base of the plant. When the eggs hatch they bore their way inside the vines. It is a difficult pest to control. You can vigilantly spray the base of the plant with rotenone or pyrethrins to kill the larvae before they enter the vines. Cover the plants with floating row cover early in the season (you would need to hand pollinate the flowers). Another method is to wrap the base of the plant is panting hose to keep the larvae out. The problem is as the season progresses and the vines get longer the larvae enter at other sections of the vine. You can try to save infested vines by digging out the borer with a knife and heaping soil over the vines to induce rooting. Rotate your plantings each year.

    Comment by Kris — 9/17/2006 @ 3:04 am

  12. I have a dozen beautiful pumpkins in my garden, but they are only partially ripened, and we have already experienced our first frost. Will they continue to change color, and is there anything I can do to speed the process? Thanks.

    Pumpkins need warmth and sun to ripen. If the pumpkins are still on the vine, leave them and remove any leaves to expose them to sunlight. If the weather predicts frost, cover them with plastic overnight and remove during the day as it warms up unless it remains very cold. Another way to ripen pumpkins is to remove them from the patch and place them in a sunny spot on a patio, deck or window. Expose the green side to the sun and rotate periodically to cover all other green parts. If it gets too cold(freezing) overnight bring them inside.

    Comment by Kathryn — 9/24/2006 @ 10:29 pm

  13. I BOUGHT THREE JACK-O-LANTERN SIZE PUMPKINS THIS YEAR WITH THE INTENTION OF CARVING THEM FOR HALLOWEEN, WELL I NEVER CARVED THEM AND I WANT TO AT LEAST USE THEM FOR BAKING, HOWEVER I AM NOTICING SOME SMALL SPOTS FORMING WHICH SEAM TO BE ROTTFROM THE INSIDE.I HEARD OF A RASH OF FUNGUS INFECTING LOCAL PUMKINS IN MY AREA. IS IT O.K TO EAT THE PUMKIN IF I CUT OUT THE ROTTED AREA? IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO THROW OUT THREE PUMKINS UNUSED. ANY ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANX JENNIFER

    If the spots on the pumpkin are coming from the inside then I would toss the pumpkins into the compost pile. Once inside, its hard to tell how far the infection spread. Cut it open and see. If the spots are just on the surface you may be able to cut that away. Use you own judgment. Jack-o-lantern pumpkins are not the best for eating so it may not be worth the hassle.

    Comment by JENNIFER — 11/6/2006 @ 9:53 am

  14. My friend and i are growing atlantic giants,, his vines are 3/4′ in diameter and yellowish,, mine are 1-1/4′ in diameter and green is there problem,, we started at the same time and the plants are 2 acres apart from one another.. ty..

    It sounds as if your vine is much healthier than the yellowing vine. Barring disease and insects the yellowish vine may need more nutrients. Pumpkins are heavy feeders and your soil may have more nutrients. On the other hand, it may be an insect problem such as squash vine borer which will cause the plant to suddenly wilt and upon further inspection you would find a hole or chewed stem at the soil line.

    Comment by luloma — 6/17/2007 @ 11:18 am

  15. IM GROWING PUMKINS FOR THE FIRST TIME AND JUST PLANTED MY SEEDLINGS INTO THE GROUND-THEY ARE ABOUT 6IN LONG- AND THE NEXT DAY THEY ALL WILTED- IVE GIVEN THEM PLENTY OF WATER AFTER I PLANTED THEM AND IM WONDERING IF ITS TO HOT- DO THEY USUALLY NEED SHADE- OR DO I JUST NEED TO WATER THEM ALOT MORE-I JUST DONT WANT TO OVER WATER- IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THEY NEED SHADE TO ME–WHAT SHOULD I DO!!!

    They do need shade until the roots get acclimated to the new site. It’s best to transplant on cloudy, cool days. Right now there aren’t enough roots to carry enough water to the leaves, thereby causing them to wilt. Eventually, they should adjust a keep putting out new growth.

    Comment by BETHANY — 7/3/2007 @ 2:21 pm

  16. As soon as my pumkins get about 2″ in diameter they turn soft and yellow then die. I have one pumpkin doing well (about 7″ dia.) but all the rest have died. Any ideas - the vines are super healthy with big green leaves and hundreds of big orange male blooms???

    If the young pumpkins start to rot from the blossom end on healthy vines, they may not have been pollinated well. This is caused either by hot or cool weather or low bee activity. Wait for temperatures to cool down or if it is a bee problem - hand pollinate the flowers.see above comment of 7-9-06 for hand pollination.

    Comment by Carey — 8/13/2007 @ 10:05 am

  17. hi this is the first time i have ever tried to grow any pumpkins i planted my pumpkins the last week or 2 of june i live in new England i was wondering if i will get fruit from my plants and also i was wondering how long it takes for the baby pumpkins to start growing big once the female flower closed…i have 7 females that have babies and 2 of the 7 the females have done opened and closed so now what?????

    Pumpkins should be planted 100+ days before the first frost to allow enough time for them to ripen. Once the female flower has been pollinated (withered and dries up) the small pumpkin should start to grow quickly. If pollination did not occur the “small pumpkin” will shrivel and die. If you want bigger pumpkins, keep one or two and remove the others. By doing so, you will channel most of the nutrients and energy to the one pumpkin helping it grow faster and bigger. If there is a chance of an upcoming frost and your plants are still healthy cover them to extend the growing season.

    Comment by J.P. — 8/28/2007 @ 9:06 pm

  18. Where can I find out how to plant a field of pumpkins. I have grown them in my garden successfully now I want to grow a field of them.

    The best thing to do is to contact your local extension office. Ask for an extension advisor and they will direct you to the person that can help you with large scale production.

    Comment by Teresa Deller — 9/13/2007 @ 8:45 pm

  19. My pumpkins are off the vine and molding. they are not fully orange. can i still cook and eat them? i’m sick about this as it is our first try and they are big and perfectly shaped. UGH!!!

    If the pumpkins has fruit rot caused by a fungus which starts as water-soaked spots and eventually enlarge and get covered with white mold. It can occur from fruit set to harvest. Eating them would not be recommended. http://vegnet.osu.edu/problem/pb78983.htm

    Comment by Eileen — 9/29/2007 @ 4:59 pm

  20. Can seeds from winter squash like butternut and acorn be roasted and
    eaten like roasted pumpking seeds? Thanks for any tips.

    Yes they can be eaten and are very tasty. . They are a bit smaller and will require less roasting time.
    Enjoy!

    Comment by Barbara Christie — 12/19/2007 @ 4:29 pm

Leave a comment

Please search before posting, we might already have what you are looking for on the site.
 
HortChat.com© Web

(required)


(required, but not displayed)

authimage


Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there may be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there’s no need to resubmit your comment.