kez Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Can anyone give me some advice on growing pumpkins please? I've been growing pumpkins from seed this year, for the first time. They are a small variety. The plants are really big with loads of flowers. However, when the flowers die, the heads fall off and we're not getting any pumkins! Any advice please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 Sounds like you've only getting male flowers female flowers have the fruit behind them I've got the same problem with some of mine it's temperature related i.e. to cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 Thanks sjp. I had a feeling it might be something like that. Men Would covering the plants at night help? I'm on a learning curve with gardening this year. Next year hoping to grow STRAIGHT carrots - not bendy ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Thanks sjp. I had a feeling it might be something like that. Men Would covering the plants at night help? I'm on a learning curve with gardening this year. Next year hoping to grow STRAIGHT carrots - not bendy ones this late in the year I doubt we'll get any thing of the ones that aren't put up female flowers as for covering it might encourage mildew also pumkins will br finnish in the next month or first frost which ever comes first only supermarkets bother with straight carrots bent ones taste the same so I'm told but its been that long since I've had a carrot that I've grown I've forgotten what they taste like this year 8 rows all differant types 8 germinated slugs took them all. plus row and half of onions and swedes plus a row of beetroot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 I had 3 plants from the same seed and no female flowers with squash at all - Mine are in the compost now as too late to save anything. Next year I will buy new seeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 3 of plants of mine that have pumkins on the seed is 3 years old the other is saved seed from last years pumpkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I'm trying to grow butternut squash. I've had a few female flowers, but they have dropped off (mostly due to lack of pollination I think). The plants have romped away. I have a theory that the like to climb before bearing female flowers. Only my own experience though. This late in the year I'll be lucky if even one is pollinated, swells up and ripens now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I'm trying to grow butternut squash. I've had a few female flowers, but they have dropped off (mostly due to lack of pollination I think). The plants have romped away. I have a theory that the like to climb before bearing female flowers. Only my own experience though.This late in the year I'll be lucky if even one is pollinated, swells up and ripens now! Trouble is you don't want male flowers but if you don't get one or two with female flowers You not get pumpkins/squashes but flower type is temperature related we've had a mini heat wave this last week or 2 here result I've got a fair few mini pumpkins nealy found one with my size 12 boot they wont make much size now unless we get a long warm autumn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Without sounding smug I have managed to grow 9 - biggest a 12lb er of which I hope to save till halloween. had roasted pumpkin soup on Friday very nice. They are greedy plants but mine I have to say have thrieved on neglect. i think I have jusrt been lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I found 2 this morning that weren't there last weekend but I don't think I'll beat yours they might be 1lb I've got 3 on the muck heap that might be half that but it'll be mid october before they're ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 It sounds a bit like you planted them a bit too late in the year as they clearly didn't have time to set fruit. I've got two winter squashes this year off the one plant...so not too great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 It sounds a bit like you planted them a bit too late in the year as they clearly didn't have time to set fruit. I've got two winter squashes this year off the one plant...so not too great. no I actually planted mine early this year it's just been to cold for them up until the begining of the month I'd only got 3 plant putting out female flowers all 3 or north american varities it's the mediteranian ones that I'm having trouble with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
