Pumpkin Problems

[julesapple]

Our youngest and I want to grow pumpkins. But that's easy I hear you say - kiddies can do it.

So what have I done wrong? I bought seeds for F1 Racers, and a white pumpkin called Lumina from a reputable nursery. We've planted two seeds to a 3" jiffy pot half an inch deep in seed compost and they've been on the kitchen windowsill (not too hot) for weeks without a sign of a green shoot anywhere.

They were planted mid-April. I've uncovered one seed, which seems to have swelled slightly, but no sign of growth. I've got the pots on a tray with watered newspaper to keep them moist (as recommended by my Mum).

Any help/ideas/suggestions appreciated, we don't want to eat the pumpkins, but I do want to carve them as I'm into extreme pumpkin carving at Hallowe'en.

Jules

[amandaandherveg]

Do you have any seeds left?

I struggled with getting my pumpkins and squash to germinate last year so this time I followed a few suggestions courtesy of the vine. I popped a few seeds onto damp kitchen roll and sealed them into a little plastic sarnie box and put them in a warm place. They had germinated within two days and are now going great guns.

I also did this with my sweetcorn which I was struggling with previously.

[julesapple]

I have!

Do you have any seeds left?

I struggled with getting my pumpkins and squash to germinate last year so this time I followed a few suggestions courtesy of the vine. I popped a few seeds onto damp kitchen roll and sealed them into a little plastic sarnie box and put them in a warm place. They had germinated within two days and are now going great guns.

I also did this with my sweetcorn which I was struggling with previously.

Thanks Amanda, I'm going to try that this morning as I do have seeds left. Do you think I can reuse the jiffy pots and seed compost once I have (eventually) got germinated seeds?

My nephew, who's three, managed to grow a pumpkin last year that was big enough for him to sit on without his feet touching the floor. I was beginning to wonder how he could do it and Sam & I couldn't! Nice to know I'm not alone with my growing pains!

Jules

PS I see you're in Aberdeenshire - we used to live in Inverurie.

[zazen999]

Thanks Amanda, I'm going to try that this morning as I do have seeds left. Do you think I can reuse the jiffy pots and seed compost once I have (eventually) got germinated seeds?

Yes you can....the kitchen roll way is often the best if you have germination problems....works for me every time.

[SarzWix]

I think the missing key might be constant warmth - your windowsill is probably lovely and warm in the daytime, but will get chilly at night and they don't like that. Try moving the tray to somewhere that's warm all the time (airing cupboard?) keep them damp, and move them into the light as soon as they pop up.
I've been having troubles with my sweetcorn for the same reason, I've got it all squashed into the heated propogator now, and have my fingers crossed that it's not too late!

[amandaandherveg]

PS I see you're in Aberdeenshire - we used to live in Inverurie.

I used to live in Rothienorman and Newmachar just up the road.

[zazen999]

Good point Sarz......my best germination of squashes happened when I brought my module tray in and sat it on the dining table.

[amandaandherveg]

This year I started everything on the downstairs bathroom floor - it has underfloor heating. At one point you had to pick your way through seeds trays and modules - my OH has the patience of a saint.

My problem previously has been as Sarz pointed out, windowsills in my house get far too cold at night.

[julesapple]

Oooo..er...

......somewhere warm all the time might be a problem.

We've no airing cupboard since having a combi boiler fitted last year, and I don't have a greenhouse, or a heated propagator. The central heating is off since it the weather improved.

I would use the daughter's barn owls' incubator, but the chicks and the daughter might object.....

Need to think about that one!

Jules

[maytreefrannie]

......somewhere warm all the time might be a problem.

We've no airing cupboard since having a combi boiler fitted last year, and I don't have a greenhouse, or a heated propagator. The central heating is off since it the weather improved.

I would use the daughter's barn owls' incubator, but the chicks and the daughter might object.....

Need to think about that one!

Jules

I have one pumpkin plant - one germinated out of 3 seeds. It lived in the kitchen until it got too big for its pot, then I put it outside for a few days, bringing it in at night, then repotted it to a bigger pot - it now lives outside but I fleece it well at night and it seems to be doing fine (fingers crossed).

So I was thinking if you have them in the house, maybe put a light covering of fleece at night it might give you a bit of extra heat through the night.

[SarzWix]

......somewhere warm all the time might be a problem.

We've no airing cupboard since having a combi boiler fitted last year, and I don't have a greenhouse, or a heated propagator. The central heating is off since it the weather improved.

I would use the daughter's barn owls' incubator, but the chicks and the daughter might object.....

Need to think about that one!

Jules

Just further into the room, away from the window would make a difference, it's surprising how chilly it can get on a windowsill overnight
Kitchen table? Dining room table?

[julesapple]

Can do!

Ok, warmest rooms are upstairs at night so moving them upstairs might work. OH will think I'm totally doolally, but hey....

I don't have any gardening fleece, but I do have quilter's wadding which looks much the same in density and will work in the same way.

Thanks everyone, for all the useful advice. I'm so glad I joined the Vine.

Jules

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks Amanda, I'm going to try that this morning as I do have seeds left. Do you think I can reuse the jiffy pots and seed compost once I have (eventually) got germinated seeds?

My nephew, who's three, managed to grow a pumpkin last year that was big enough for him to sit on without his feet touching the floor. I was beginning to wonder how he could do it and Sam & I couldn't! Nice to know I'm not alone with my growing pains!

Jules how much space did it take to grow this pumpkin? I posted on New Shoots for advice about whether I could grow pumpkins in pots, but that looks decidedly a no goer. Three of my grandchildren want to grow one each for Halloween - would a grow bag be sufficient to feed a moderately sized pumpkin, or should I pinch more lawn?

[Florence Fennel]

BTW, the seeds are up after only 5 days on a warm windowsill, luckily!

[julesapple]

Jacob grew his pumpkin on the patio. My S-in-L says it was in an old washing up bowl with holes drilled in the bottom and as it grew, they rested the pumpkin on a separate upturned bucket.

I didn't see it for myself, but I know they only have a dinky walled patio, which is a total sun trap, behind their cottage. Maybe the heat and shelter were the key?!

I am envious though.....and it doesn't help my pumpkin failure one bit

Jules