by Growing pumpkins is usually not difficult. But sometimes problems do arise: the seeds do not germinate, or the fruits do not set well. What to do in such a situation and how to get a good pumpkin harvest?
Let’s consider each problem and its solution separately.
Difficulty in seed germination
Poor germination is caused by rotting and “sleepy” seeds. The vagaries of the weather and low soil temperature are to blame.
To make the pumpkin grow large, sow the seeds in warm soil. Choose a sunny place to plant the pumpkin. Prepare a small bed and make grooves in it. Place the remains of thick fabric on the bottom of the grooves, sprinkle the seeds on them and cover them with soil.
Weak sprouts
To avoid this problem, feed the seedlings with a solution of bird droppings (in a ratio of 1:10-15).
If you have a lot of weak pumpkin seedlings from year to year, try growing the seedlings of this crop in low (5-10 cm) mounds made from a mixture of potato tops and rotted compost.
Root rot after transplanting seedlings
Usually the reason is the early application of nitrogen fertilizers, which reduce the frost resistance of pumpkin. Experienced vegetable growers feed young plants when the soil warms up to 12-13°C. When growing pumpkins from seedlings, rotting often begins after pulling out weak sprouts, which leads to damage to the root system of “neighbors”.
A safe alternative is to prune weak shoots close to the ground.
The ovaries are rotting, there are few of them
This most often happens if the weather is cold and rainy during the flowering period of the pumpkin. Artificial pollination will help to correct the consequences of constant rains and the small number of pollinating insects. To do this, in dry and warm weather, cut off male flowers (they have long peduncles and several stamens) and remove their petals with tweezers. Then press 2-3 anthers (the upper parts of the stamens) to the protruding stigma of the pistil of the opened female flower.
Lack of ovaries
Pumpkin prefers humus-rich soil. However, this does not mean that it should be over-fertilized. In such soil, plants form long vines and large leaves, but practically do not set fruit. Therefore, plan the place for planting pumpkin in advance, choosing a site where fertilizers were applied 1-2 years ago.
Abundance of irregularly shaped ovaries
Ugly fruits prevent normal ones from developing, drawing all the juices out of the plant, and then gradually dry out themselves. Correct formation will help prevent their formation. When pollination is complete, the pumpkin is no longer vulnerable, on large-fruited varieties, 3 lashes are left, each of which should have no more than one ovary.
In June, pinch off the tops (above the 5-6th leaf located after the fruit). In small- and medium-fruited varieties, remove only the vines with empty flowers. Pinch them off in early August, leaving 3-4 leaves after the last fruit.
Slow fruit development
Perhaps they are shaded by leaves. A pruning shear will help to cope with this problem. Another probable reason is that the plant does not absorb nutrients well. Then the vines are sprinkled with soil, thereby promoting the appearance of additional roots.
Breaking off and rotting of fruits
To prevent this from happening, it is enough to put a board or a piece of fiberboard under the ripening pumpkins that are lying on the ground. Hanging pumpkins can be placed in a large net and tied to a support.
Now you have all the necessary information that will help you get a rich harvest of pumpkins.
