07 Jan 19 Wayne Cronin (Australia - temperate climate)
My butternut pumpkins are growing well but when the pumpkin gets to a good size approx 100-150mm long it goes brown and dies off.
It is about 38 deg here the last week and I water twice a day (morning and late arvo)
Is it the heat or too much water or needs some fertiliser???
Hi Wayne,
I planted my pumpkin seedlings last September and luckily it happened to be next to a lavender bush which attracts bees. It gave me 4 pumpkins which ended up growing under the lavender bush and next to the fence.
I watered it a few times and then it just took care of itself. But they do tend to prefer growing under or around other plants for shade.
Hi Wayne,
A possibility is they are not being pollenated. Are there bees in your garden? I would suggest pollenating the flowers yourself with your fingers gently. Touch the male, then touch the female flower. Good fun. Carl
Try growing them early in the planting season. Start seedlings in August Sept. Mulch around the plants and give a good watering twice a week. I don't grow things in summer too many problems. You probably have some disease or grubs. Do some research on the net.
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