first time growing pumpkins

[darkcrystal]

well i have done that they are together.......there is another pumpkin and the flower has fallen off now so all there is now is just a bump.....it has not shriveld up yet so im assuming that it has been pollenated and somthing is growing.

[AndrewC]

does anyone know how far on my pumkins should be now i planted them about 7weeks ago and they have only 3 leaves they seem to be really slow at growing, is there a reason for this? have i done something wrong?

[darkcrystal]

dont think you have done anything wrong, they are probably just slow, they should catch up.....one of my pumpkin plants is small compared to the other ones but it does have buds on them. so i wouldnt worry.

[Two_Sheds]

does anyone know how far on my pumkins should be now i planted them about 7weeks ago and they have only 3 leaves they seem to be really slow at growing, is there a reason for this? have i done something wrong?

What, how and where have you planted them? Or do you mean sowed, as in seed?

I sowed my pumpkin seeds about a fortnight ago, and the plants are now about 4" tall and getting too big for their pots. They will be hardened off for a week, then planted in the ground.

[Paulottie]

Yeah, I'm about a week ahead of you TS...I should think I'll plant out this weekend when weather improves again.

I really wouldn't worry about fruit on pumpkins just yet folk...the fruit tend not to develop until the plant is big enough to cope.

[AndrewC]

What, how and where have you planted them? Or do you mean sowed, as in seed?

I sowed my pumpkin seeds about a fortnight ago, and the plants are now about 4" tall and getting too big for their pots. They will be hardened off for a week, then planted in the ground.

ive got them in quite big pots but the third leave is just stood up if you know what i mean. can anyone tell me if the roots are going to be as big as the vines? im new to all this and been trying to find out as much info as i can. i havent had them inside at all could this be a reson why they are small? and is it true to warter them in warm water? sorry for all the questions Guys

[Paulottie]

Stereuth, You need a simple book, Try Dr Hessayon. ' Veg and Herb Expert' get an overview of the subject and maybe visit your allotments to see a few methods.

They have a fair sized rootball in good conditions. They need to be planted out in the ground really....when they have 4 or 5 leaves. Pumpkins like it warm especially at the beginning. So yes, they will have disliked the recent turn in the weather and start slowly. You should always fill up you watering can as you finish and leave it in the sun to warm for the next night...all plants prefer it....Do you like a cold shower?

Put you location in the profile it helps us answer questions

[AndrewC]

sorry like i said im new to all this, but thanks for all your help is there a place where i can get a decent book from? could i also guide the vines to where i want them? thanks for your help i really am greatfull

[snake the squadie]

andrew you are having the same sort of issues as me and as i said before i am new to this as well. i am from the same area as you so we are working on excatly the same climate etc. if you have no luck what so ever i have a couple of spare plants if you need them

[AndrewC]

andrew you are having the same sort of issues as me and as i said before i am new to this as well. i am from the same area as you so we are working on excatly the same climate etc. if you have no luck what so ever i have a couple of spare plants if you need them

thanks but im hoping they are going to be ok im keeping an eye on them lol. im just keeping my fingers crossed if they havent grown no more up to the weekend ill let you know

[AndrewC]

Does anyone know of any good sprays for keeping little bugs and flys off of my pumpkin plants?

[darkcrystal]

i had two lovley female flowers open up today, but none of the male ones are ready to open they are big and standing up, just not opened, if only the female ones waited a few more days then the males would of been ready. now the females wont be pollenated.....i really cant see me getting fruit this time, oh well its my first time, shouldnt complain at least i got flowers.

ANDREW C
i try and squash them off, but if there is too many you could try diluting e cover liquid with water (lots of water) and spray them with that. me im fighting with them too. but i am trying to squash them first. my friend gave me some green fly killer i will find out what the name is and givew it to you.

[AndrewC]

can i ask if the female flower opens before the male can the female be pollenated at all? and how can you tell which is which?

[darkcrystal]

the female flower has a bump behind it like a ball and the male flowers dont. no the female flowers needs the pollen from the male flower to form the fruit, im having the same trouble at the moment my female flowers are open but the male ones are not ready......what i did with one was opened one of the male ones myself (make sure its nearly ready) and peeled back the petals and placed it in the female one. i am not going to say its going to work but got to try something......i have just lost one female it dropped off so obviously that one didnt get pollenated.

[darkcrystal]

one pumpkin not pollenated

well i found out that one of the pumpkins did not get pollenated it went a little yellow and then dropped off when i touched it.....hopefully the others will get pollenated....