pumkin problems

[rustylady]

here are some pictures of where i am so far with them they are in peat and are in a 2 litre pot they are in a greenhouse and have been watered with the occasional bit of phostrogene thanks to you all for being so willing to help toby

They are in far too big pots at the moment. I start all my squash (pumpkins, courgettes, butternuts etc) in 3 and a half inch pots one seed per pot. Wait till the roots fill that pot, and then pot on into bigger pots. They certainly don't need feeding yet.

[endymion]

We water in seeds once, when they're sown, and then leave them alone until they've germinated, because too much water can drown them, make them rot, or make the pot too cold.

Now that they're growing I wouldn't be tempted to move them into something smaller. Just leave them be for a while, the compost will dry out on its own, but you could give it a helping hand by standing the pots on some gravel, or blocks of wood - anything that'll lift them up get some air beneath them.

Once the plants start growing more quickly you'll be able to tell when they need water by lifting the pots, if they feel 'light' then they need watering.

[Hanna]

what a useful thread! i am guilty of over-watering my first pumpkins, well at least i think that was the issue, as none of the half dozen i planted in 3 inch pots germinated - even i can't be that unlucky! so i've put it down to overwatering. I am planning on planting some more over the weekend..is this too late? I will have to restrain the use of the watering can!

[Two_Sheds]

I am planning on planting some more over the weekend..is this too late?

Mine were only sown last weekend: the first ones are just now showing their faces (next weekend they'll be four foot high)