{"id":2716,"date":"2021-03-25T04:33:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T04:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.urbangardengal.com\/?p=2716"},"modified":"2022-07-22T00:06:23","modified_gmt":"2022-07-22T00:06:23","slug":"pumpkin-growth-stages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urbangardengal.com\/pumpkin-growth-stages\/","title":{"rendered":"Pumpkin Growth Stages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pumpkins have many different stages of growth from planting the seed to harvesting and storing the pumpkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article I\u2019ve listed the 7 pumpkin growth stages along with some handy tips to assist you to grow a successful crop of pumpkins in your home garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post contains affiliate links. Please read the <\/em>disclosure<\/em><\/a> for more info.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pumpkin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

PUMPKIN PLANT GROWTH STAGES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stage 1 – Planting the seeds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin seeds are flat, oval shaped and pale in color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I like to save a few seeds from my favorite pumpkin varieties to plant but you can also purchase some interesting pumpkin seeds to plant in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jack Be Little<\/a> is a popular small pumpkin variety that is ideal for growing vertically on a trellis or Jack O’Lantern<\/a> pumpkins are ideal for carving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin seeds can be planted directly in the garden about two weeks after the last frost of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also start your pumpkin seeds indoors if you have a short growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant the seeds in a seed starting tray at the beginning of spring and place the tray on a heating mat<\/a> if the temperature is still cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pumpkin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stage 2 – Germination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin seeds usually take about 8 to 10 days to germinate but it may take longer if the soil is cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seedling emerges from the soil with the seed shell attached to the tip of the leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first two leaves to appear are oval shaped leaves known as seed leaves or cotyledons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About a week later the first true leaves will appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pumpkin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stage 3 – Growth of the vine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin vines spread out from the base of the plant and can grow 6 inches (15 cm) each day if they receive plenty of sun and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The length of the vine can reach 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 metres) depending on the variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure that the soil is evenly moist but try to keep the leaves dry when you\u2019re watering to avoid fungal infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During hot weather you may need to water your pumpkin plants every day or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pumpkin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stage 4 – Flower development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin flowers will start to bloom 8 to 10 weeks after planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flowers are large and bright yellow in color with a long stamen in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The male flowers appear first followed by the female flowers about 10 days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this stage you can start feeding your plants with a liquid plant food<\/a> every 2 weeks for an abundant crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pumpkin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stage 5 – Pollination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Male pumpkin flowers produce pollen and nectar which is highly sought after by bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After visiting the male flowers, the bees move on to the female flowers where some of the pollen is transferred and pollination is completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there aren\u2019t many bees in your area you can hand pollinate the flowers using a small paintbrush to transfer some of the pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the pollination is completed the plant will begin to produce fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stage 6 – Fruit development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the female flowers close you\u2019ll notice small round green fruits at the base of the flower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next few weeks, these small baby pumpkins will rapidly increase in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re growing pumpkins on a trellis you\u2019ll need to create a hammock by using an old t-shirt or pantyhose to help support the weight of the pumpkin as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It normally takes between 45 to 55 days for the pumpkin to grow to full size after pollination is complete. [1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pumpkin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stage 7 – Harvesting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkins are ready to harvest when the vine starts to turn brown and withered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also tell when pumpkins are ripe by tapping on the outside of the pumpkin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you hear a hollow sound your pumpkins are ready to harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cut the vine with a sharp knife, leaving at least 3 inches (about 7 cm) of the stem attached to each pumpkin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the pumpkins are harvested they need to be left outdoors in a sunny spot to cure for about two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curing hardens the skin of the pumpkins and improves their shelf life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there is rain or frost predicted you\u2019ll need to move the pumpkins to a covered area to finish curing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkins will last for six months or longer if they\u2019re stored correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place the pumpkins in a cool, dark room in a single layer so that air can circulate between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the pumpkins every week and discard any that show signs of mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So there are the different stages of pumpkin growth that you can expect to see in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watching the pumpkin life cycle is interesting and it\u2019s highly satisfying to grow your own pumpkins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED ARTICLES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n