Pumpkin

Tamil Name: Poosanikai; Scientific Name: Cucurbita moschata L;

Intermediate Level

G T

Planting/Sowing

Jan – Mar; Sep – Dec;

Harvesting

Apr – Jun; Nov – Mar;

First Harvest

Fruit: ~100 Days; Microgreen: 12 -15 days;

General Info

Crop category	Vegetable
Life span	Annual
Type of crop	Creeper
Part(s) of the crop to harvest	Fruit, Microgreen (leaves, flower also edible)
Avg. Height	1 to 3 ft

Climate & Humidity

Pumpkins require a long and warm growing season. A temperature of 18-30 degrees is optimal. Short days, high relative humidity, bright sunshine are ideal.

Planting / Sowing

When to plant / sow seeds (ideal season):
Jan – Mar; Sept – Dec;

How to plant:
Direct Sowing: In a shallow pit (60x60x45 cm), with loose, well-worked, well-drained soil rich in organic matter (like compost) sow 4-5 pumpkin seeds; Seeds germinate in 7-8 days and in 15 days, seedlings need to be thinned to 2 healthy seedlings per pit.

NOTE: Please refer to How to Grow Microgreens section for cultivating microgreens.

Soil Depth & Spacing Requirements

Pumpkins will need to be spaced at 2.5 × 2.0 m (6 – 8 ft).

NOTE: Please go through the Guides in the Knowledge Base for more details on topics ranging from Spacing & Lighting to Soil and Nutrients.

Irrigation

In summer, plants should be watered at 5-6 day intervals. During flowering and fruiting, watering every 2 days or on alternate days will result in the best yields.

NOTE: Irrigation should depend on how moist / wet the soil is. Check your plants everyday to see if they require irrigation or not. Check the Watering & Irrigation guide for more info.

Pruning

Cut secondary vines growing from the main vine. Measuring from the main vine, make the cut 10-12 feet (3-4 m.) down the secondary line.

NOTE: See the Pruning guide for general info.

Harvesting

When to harvest
Fruit: Pumpkins will be ready for harvest 95 to 120 days after sowing depending on the variety. Pick pumpkins when they are deeply colored and stems and vines have dried and turned brown. The rind should be hard, not easily penetrated by a fingernail.

Microgreen: To be harvested at 12-15 days, when shoots reach the two leaf stage.

How to harvest
As pumpkins near harvest, vines may begin to yellow and shrivel away. Use pruning shears to cut the vine; leave 2 to 4 inches of stem attached to the pumpkin so that the fruit does not readily dry out or decay.

Microgreens may be harvested by snipping the greens just above the soil line.

NOTE: Harvest periods can vary depending on the environmental, climatic, soil conditions.

Pests & Diseases

Pests	Squash borers and cucumber beetles
Common Diseases/ Problems	Bacterial wilt, mosaic virus, and mildew
Pest and Disease prevention measure(s)	A ring of epsom salt prevents bugs from coming anywhere close to the plant

NOTE: Read Pest & Disease Control for more information.

Did you know?

Pumpkins grow in almost every corner of the world, in 6 out of 7 continents, barring Antarctica. The record for the largest pumpkin ever grown was by a Belgian in 2016, weighing 1190 kg! Bonus Fact: Tender leaves and flowers are also edible.