Why Are All My Pumpkin Flowers Dying?

Question

I live in south Texas and have about 150 pumpkin plants. They are on a drip system and get watered 2-3 times a day. The soil is damp frequently. I put down fertalizer every couple weeks. The vines are doing well and lots of flowers bloomed. I am fairly certain these are female buds at this point. Good bee activity to pollinate. This last week I noticed almost all of the flowering buds are shriveling and falling off. What is causing that and how do I stop it?

• 

Answer 1

Those look like male flowers and they are supposed to fall off after a day. The female flowers have a swelling at the base of the flower. They bloom a couple weeks after the male flowers start blooming. Heat can cause flowers to abort, as well.

I think though you may be watering too frequently which can cause the flowers to wilt and die. It's best to water less but deeply. And I see some spotting starting on leaves so be sure to watch for fungal disease. Try watering deeply about twice a week. It also sounds like too much fertilizer.

These articles should help:

https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/pumpkin-pollination-and-weather-conditions/

https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/squash-blossom-drop/

https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/guides/crop-briefs/pumpkins-in-texas/

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/diseases-of-pumpkins.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/hand-pollinate-pumpkins.htm