Hello, I (stupidly, I think) planted seeds I got from a honesty plant, and pumpkin seeds from a pumpkin. I think I should have waited till spring? Anyway both of these seeds have taken really well in pots in my kitchen but now I don't know what to do with them? Plant them out in garden? Separate into individual pots and leave in kitchen till spring? Any advice welcome! Thank you so much! Michelle
I would put them in individual pots and winter them indoors till spring. The honesty plant is biennial and typically won't flower till the second year. If you wanted pumpkins for Halloween you could have waited till summer to plant. If you still have seeds you can save them.
Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/pumpkin-growing.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/money-plant/growing-money-plants.htm
I found these on my pumpkin plant. I don't know if these are flower pods. I also live in Australia.
Yes, those appear to be male flower pods. Female flower buds will have an ovary at the bottom that will swell into the fruit once pollinated. Seeing male flowers first is a very common occurrence. Not to worry. Female flowers will show soon enough, with the right care.
This collection of articles will help you to grow pumpkins properly: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/category/edible/vegetables/pumpkin
How large does this variety get? Should plants be limited to 2 or 3 fruit?
Golden Nugget pumpkins can keep for a couple of months if stored in a cool, dry place. They are a small, orange, spherical variety. The seed package recommended thinning to one seedling per hill.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/post-harvest-pumpkin-storage.htm
See attached picture of my pumpkins. There is something wrong with the skin but I can't work out what it is... A plant growing in the same garden last year had the same problem... Plants in a different garden bed are producing pumpkins that are perfect. Can anybody help tell me what is wrong? Something wrong with the soil I am guessing?
If these were seeds kept from a previous pumpkin, then it could be luck of the draw on genetics. This behavior will be quite normal in many squash varieties, and can present itself in pumpkin planted from a harvested crop, due to cross-pollination from other species nearby.
Try a fresh packet of pumpkin seeds from a trusted producer to ensure that the seeds will grow true. Once this test is done, and if the issue is still present, then you can chalk this up to a virus in the soil. Usually it does not cause "netting" this badly on pumpkins, though.
Most plant viral infection cannot be killed off. You will need to avoid plants susceptible to pumpkin viral infection if this is the case.
Here is an article that will provide some useful tips to gardening pumpkins:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/pumpkin-growing.htm
The pumpkin needs vitamin
At the very least, a 5-10-5 is appropriate. The best thing is to add organic compost, periodically, to provide the best range of nutrients.
This article will offer more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/feeding-pumpkin-plants.htm
There is lots of info about picking them and how to store. For example Leaving them in full sun to allow the sun to harden the skin prior to storage, and covering them if a fros5 looks likely with shade cloth, but if they are in full sun for 2 weeks AND it rains, is that OK? Or do you need to move them in and out of the weather as well as the frost? Appreciate any advice.
The rain won't affect them, too much. As long as the curing time is mostly sunny, that is.
As long as there is no frost, you can leave them out in the rain.
I always plant my pumpkin & gourd at the end of April & they are usually sprouting after two weeks give or take. This year did the same thing & they haven't sprouted yet. We weren't expecting it to drop to 32°F one night. Could that have killed the seeds in the soil? I would like to know, instead of playing the waiting game, so if they did get killed off from that one night, (and a few nights of being in the 30s), I can get more seeds and still have a pumpkin patch this year.
I would definitely replant right away. A few nights of freezing temps definitely could have killed your seeds. Your soil should be in the 60 degree temperature range when you plant, so new seeds are probably in order.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/pumpkin-growing.htm