Pumpkin Growing Stages (Complete Guide)

Everything you need to know on Pumpkin growing stages is in this article, also I’ve included some useful tips so you have a great pumpkin harvest. The beloved pumpkin is one of the most interesting garden plants to observe.

Every phase of the lifecycle is different. There are small sprouts protruding from the ground, long vines that quickly grow, yellow flowers that open, and large green balls that transform into orange balls.

Understanding the stages of growth in a pumpkin’s life cycle gives you a fascinating insight into the processes and changes that occur in plants. If you have children, watching your pumpkin garden grow is a wonderful learning experience.

About pumpkins

There are many varieties of pumpkins you can grow. There are a variety of pumpkins that are suited for carving and size, while others are suitable for eating. The Jack O’Lantern is the most widely grown variety for its carving and size, while the Dickinson pumpkin is the most loved variety for eating.

Pumpkins are native to North America, and they can be grown in many areas across the United States. To ripen, most pumpkins require an 85-120 day growing season. They are planted usually in late May or early June.

Before you begin growing pumpkins, it is important to understand that they are delicate plants/vines. They require careful handling in order to grow and produce a good harvest.

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Pumpkin Growing Stages

Pumpkins are known for their long-lived vegetation. It takes on average 75 to 100 days to mature. The shorter ornamental varieties of pumpkins are found at the lower end of this spectrum, while larger species can take as long as 120 days to mature. They are considered annual plants and go through the following stages of growth to complete their life cycle within one year.

It all starts with the seed

Pumpkin, like most plants, starts as a seed. The seeds are triangular in shape and pale yellow. They contain all the necessary nutrients to produce a mature plant. You can wait around a week for your first two leaves to emerge after you have planted the seeds in moist, warm soil.

You should plant your pumpkin seeds in the ground if you live in an area with long vegetation. This should be done approximately two weeks after the last frost date. You should do this about two weeks after the last frost date. This could cause frost damage or rot to your seedlings.

Pumpkin seeds are best started when the soil temperature is at least 75 degrees F. The reason is that the soil in raised beds warms up faster after the last frost, and can reach the ideal temperature to start pumpkin seeds quicker than the soil. Raised beds are also better for pumpkins, as they have better drainage and less pest problems.

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From seed to germ

This is the second stage. This phase is marked by the first sprouts or sprouts. Sprouts are tiny stems that have 2 leaves. The leaves are usually round. It takes seven days for sprouts to develop true leaves.

These two leaves, which aren’t “real” leaves but are called germs, aren’t really leaves at all. These pumpkin sprouts are often grown for food, especially in winter when fresh vegetables may not be readily available. These tiny plants will eventually become pumpkin plants.

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Real pumpkin leaves

True pumpkin leaves are different from the first growth because they are more green and have sharp edges. They grow usually from the center of the germ. The first leaves will appear approximately one week after the germ has been removed from the ground. The following are indicators that you can tell which leaves and sprouts are correct:

• The shoots’ leaves are small and round.
• The true leaves are located in the middle of the plant, between the germ leaves.
• The leaves are dark green.
• The leaves have serrated edges.

Within a few weeks, the leaves will continue to grow. Once these three leaves have formed, the rest will begin to grow.

Pumpkin vines are formed and grown

The pumpkin plant will start to grow as soon as the leaves have been set. You can see the vines grow and spread from the base of your pumpkin plant almost every day. Pumpkin vines can grow up to six inches (15 cm) per day if they have the right conditions.

They often grow very quickly. Your pumpkin lineage will continue to grow and it will eventually produce both male and female flowers.

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Next, the flowers

The pumpkin vines will suddenly become bright yellow in the middle of the foliage. Male flowers are the first to bloom. They are upright and have a center of pollen that is covered.

The male pumpkin flowers bloom about ten days later than the females.

Over time, pollinators like bees will transfer pollen from male flowers to female flowers. This will allow for pumpkins to start to form.

Tip: Keep the male flowers on the vine so that the female flowers can close. Without male and female flowers, pollination is impossible. If you don’t have many pollinators, attract them. Or use male flowers to manually pollinate female flowers.

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Pumpkin Formation

If the green ball that is under the female flowers begins to grow, you will know that your garden has pollinated naturally.

Small green fruits will appear at the base of female flowers when the petals close. These tiny pumpkins are called pollination balls and you can see them.

Baby pumpkins will grow in size over the next few weeks. It will be able to say it is a pumpkin in a few weeks, even though it is still green.

After your pumpkin seeds sprout, it is important to water them frequently. You should water your pumpkin vines as soon as the soil layer has dried.

Remember to not moisten the pumpkin’s leaves and fruits when watering as this can lead to rot.

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The last weeks of the growing season

The pumpkins reach their final size in the last weeks of their growth phase and start to turn an orange color. You should always turn your pumpkins so that the sun can shine in all directions. Otherwise, you’ll end up with green stripes!

Tip: Not all pumpkins are orange. It all depends on which variety you have planted.

The final harvest

The pumpkin vines will turn brown and wilted towards the end of the growing season. You can harvest pumpkins at this stage and enjoy the final stage in their growth by eating them.

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How to Know When Pumpkin is Ready to Pick?

To check if the pumpkins sound hollow, you can tap on the hard rind. If they sound hollow, your pumpkins can be harvested. Pumpkins, even on the same vine, often don’t ripen in the same order. Each pumpkin should be individually checked and harvested when it is sure that it is ready. Do not just inspect one pumpkin and then harvest them all at once.

Once you have separated the pumpkins from their vines, let them dry in the sun for at least five to seven days. They should be kept dry and in a cool place. Properly stored pumpkins can survive for several weeks.

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Last word

Growing pumpkins should be done with care as they are delicate plants. Your harvest will be exceptional if you take care of it. You may not reap the benefits of a good harvest or even get any fruit at all if you don’t.