Your comments and tips

25 Aug 22, Samantha Turner (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi there, I am in Sthn Gold Coast. Am I able to plant a butternut pumpkin in a very large pot (for root growth) and then let the vine trail over into the garden. My soil isn't very good, by using a pot I can buy good quality soil / potting mix. Would this work? Thank you, Sam.

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29 Aug 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Yes it would work - need to water regularly and also fertiliser now and again. Amazing what a little compost and fertiliser can do to poor soil.

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28 Aug 22, marco (Australia - arid climate)

i live on the gold coast .my pumpkin have been growing for a month ,slow growing yet still alive .the ones i have self pollinated are going well. the other i left not so good .try growing zuchinne very rewarding .

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25 May 22, Kylie (Australia - arid climate)

I have a kent pumpkin vine that is producing huge fruit. The vine is still very healthy, but the pumpkins are easily 5kg each already and don't show any signs of slowing their growth. Any tips on when to harvest? I don't want to lose the lot, but i also don't want to pick too early. I live in central QLD and we have had a fair wet season.

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30 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - arid climate)

Try and keep the bottom of them dry with straw etc.in wet weather. Growing time is 16-20 weeks. The stem will become dry and hard and the yellow part will become dull. When you do start to pick just pick one and try. But think around 18 weeks +.

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02 May 22, David James (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have had several pumpkin plants pop up from seeds. I don’t know where the seeds came from as I’ve never grown pumpkins in the past. Never the less the plants grew vigorously with lots of leaves and flowers. I noticed plenty of bees around so assumed pollination would occur, however no pumpkins ever appear. I guess an experienced gardener would know what’s happening. I’m a beginner so I would welcome some information. Thanks.

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08 May 22, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)

If your vine is not producing pumpkins there may be a problem with pollination. Go to You Tube and search "how to hand pollinate pumpkins". They will give you a better description of the process than I can. Apparently its pretty easy. Cheers Pete

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06 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

You would have had to noticed if the bees went onto the pumpkin flowers or not. I recently had bees working on some flowers and not the zucchinis 2m away.

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12 Apr 22, Megan (Australia - temperate climate)

Every year I plant pumpkin seeds with no success. But late in the season self planted seeds grow and I’m lucky to get one pumpkin before the frosts come. What am I doing wrong..

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13 Apr 22, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)

The biggest mistake with pumpkin, beans, peas, corn etc is they are over watered and rot in the soil at planting time. Too much water and high temps cause them to rot. Temperate zone planting is Sept - Dec. To plant in Sept to mid Oct probably requires to have them in a warm place or indoors to germinate. Try and use a light soil/potting mix/seed raising soil. Or even a combo of these with some perlite. You want the soil to drain freely. Prepare your pots or garden soil and give a good watering, then plant the seeds, don't water again until day 4-5 and only lightly. Or another way is to place some paper towel on a plate, put your seeds on the paper, cover with another piece of paper towel. Give this a good watering and drain off the excess water. Re wet it morning and night draining off the excess water. When the seeds have sent out a tap root plant them into your moist soil.

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