Growing Pumpkin

Cucurbita sp. : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                S S S  
                  T T T
                  P P  

(Best months for growing Pumpkin in Australia - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 32°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 - 120 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-20 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Sweet Corn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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21 Apr 13, JanineW (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It's nearly end of April & we had our 1st frost last night & my jap pumpkin plants have turned up their leaves we've only got 2 pumpkins but I don't believe they are ripe yet so do I leave them or take them off?
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24 Apr 13, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Put bricks or the like underneath them to get them off the ground, but don't pick them until the stalks turn brown, this is the sign they are ready. If the stalks are green they are still getting nutrient from the plant
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08 Apr 13, June (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted potkin & Qld Blue pumpkins. They all keep going yellow and dying when they first form. Does anybody know why this keeps happening please.
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06 Apr 13, Des Harrison (Australia - temperate climate)
My vines develop small green pumpkins and after a week they turn yellow and fall off the stem. What is the problem?
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22 May 22, Kristene (Australia - tropical climate)
They sound like they haven’t been pollinated.
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07 Apr 13, Narelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've had the same problem this year so would be interested to hear from others!
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04 May 13, Brendan (Australia - tropical climate)
Lacking calcium. Soil pH is probably too low, feed it some Dolomite around the root zone. If the soil pH is ok, use Gypsum instead.
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27 Mar 13, Anne (Australia - temperate climate)
PLease can you tell me why our pumpkin vines had know flowers consequently no fruit. suspect the soil not rich enough for them.
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20 Apr 13, S Young (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Some pumpkins have male and female flowers...too much of one or the other or no pollination can cause flowers to die and no fruit. I also found with some of mine that a few really hot days and direct sun in the afternoon (west) that they cannot cope.
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29 Mar 13, Forest Hill (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Anne - how long is the vine? Sometimes pumpkins put all their energy into growing and not into flowers. Try nipping off the terminal buds (ends) of each vine so they stop growing and they will put out flowers, although I suspect its too late in the season to do that now. the other thing to do it hceck if you have too much nitrogen (manure), which generates leafy growth. Try spreading some potassium (banana skins) around the base.
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Just found this - commercial production. For efficient pollination and fruit set, there must be: both male and female flowers and bees to move pollen from male to female flowers. A number of factors can influence pollination, Cold and overcast days limit pollination activity of bees. Hot dry conditions desiccate pollen making it unviable. Rapid growth promotes earlier flowering. However, high temperatures, long days and high rates of nitrogen can result in: vigorous vegetative growth and few flowers and a higher proportion of male to female flowers. It is important to check the sex of the flowers. A ratio of 1 female to 7 male flowers is usually considered adequate. Flowers open early in the day and for one day only, and they close by mid afternoon. These periods are shorter under high temperatures. Flowers are most receptive to pollination in the morning when bee activity is usually the highest. Bees are necessary for pollination and must be active in the crop. Flowers require at least 12 bee visits for good pollination. If bees are not plentiful, introduce at least two hives per ha after female flowers appear and male flowers start producing pollen. Spread hives around the field outside the crop, preferably so that bees have to fly over the crop to get to another food source. Destroy flowering weeds around the crop.

- Mike

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