How do you plant pumpkins?

Answer 1

Pumpkins come from a family of plants called cucurbits. They are closely related to squash, gourds, melons, and cucumbers.

Pumpkins grow in the field on plants which have long sprawling vines that cover the ground.

Pumpkin seeds are planted in the field from the last week of May to the middle of June.

After seeds are planted, they will sprout (germinate) in 7 to 10 days, depending on the variety. During this time, seeds need moisture and warmth.

Once seeds have germinated, they will send up their first leaves, called seed leaves. Next, the true leaves will appear.

As the leaves develop, and the vines spread, an extensive root network develops in the top 12 inches of soil. These shallow roots can be found as branching offshoots all along the vine. They gather most of the food, moisture, and air for the plant's growth. There is a strong tap root which can grow as deep as 2 to 3 feet. Tendrils develop along the vines to anchor the plant.

Yellow flowers (called blossoms) begin to appear after the first three weeks of growth. Male blossoms, which produce pollen, are seen first. About a week later, the female blossoms follow. Female blossoms are easy to spot, because they have tiny pumpkin at their base. Blossoms live for only half a day, and will not open in cold, rainy weather. When both male and female blossoms appear on the vine, bees transfer the pollen from the males to the females. This is called pollination.

Once pollinated, the fruit at the base of the female blossom develops into a full-sized pumpkin. During this time, the plant continues to produce blossoms. The pumpkin contains seeds which can be saved to grow new pumpkins the following year.

While growing, pumpkins require a lot of moisture and sunlight to develop.

It takes about 90-120 days (depending on the variety) for a pumpkin to grow after it has been planted.

Pumpkins are picked in October when they are bright orange in colour.

Answer 2

First, find a male flower (the one with the pointy stamen in the center). Cut it off at the base and pull back the petals so they won't be in the way. Then insert the stamen into the center of the stigma on the female flower (you can't miss the females, because they have little round bumps at their base), being sure that it comes in contact with all sections of the stigma. Try to do it early in the morning because the flowers are more likely to be open then.

Good luck!

Answer 3

All pumpkins start from a seed that can be planted into the ground but is suggested by most gardeners to be started inside before transferring them outdoors. Most pumpkins take about 100 days to mature and need to have other pumpkin plants around it so that they can pollinate.

Answer 4

You will need about a dozen seeds to plant. Not all will grow, and you will want to select the strongest seedlings, keeping at least two competing vines as a protection against loss to pests.

Plant the seeds in a shallow trench a few feet long (and no more than 4 inches deep). You can create a small mound where drainage is a problem. Water lightly to keep the seeds moist. Plant after the last frost of the year.

Answer 5

Insects take the pollen from the male flower to the female flower.