Pumpkin! How do I nurture it?

[vixfinn]

I finally relented and planted my little pumpkin in a patch of ground rather than the pot where it sulked. It's still tiny but much happier and now has 2 little buds. Should I nip them out or let them flower? As it's still establishing itself and pointing upright fruit in its present position would squish the plant!! Or am I indeed fussing about nowt and being a tad premature?

[rustylady]

I would leave it alone - the first flowers will probably be males anyway. You could nip them off (very carefully) if you want to. It's probably flowering early because it felt threatened by being in a small pot - plants tend to do this because they need to reproduce before they die and if it "knows" it can't get any bigger because it's roots are restricted it will form flowers. Incidentally I get earlier fruit on my chillies by using this method. As to general care, keep it well watered - pumpkins are thirsty plants. By this I don't mean water it every day, a good soak once a week should do the job. Some people sink a pot, or a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, into the ground and pour water into this so it goes straight to the roots. Good luck with it.

[womble]

They tend to sort themselves out and will fall over when they need to. You can wait and see if a fruit develops and then remove it if you think it is going to cause a problem.
I always think the best thing to do with squash is to shove them it, water and weed, but try not to look at them too much, or you only worry.

[Jimmy]

Don't forget to feed it once it's up and running.

Also in my neck of the woods I would initially grow it under a plastic frame. Once it gets too big for the frame, remove the frame. It should then be into warmer weather.

Strong wind can also be a problem, I usually push short canes close in around the plant at strategic positions such that it does not flop all over the place in the wind.

Jimmy

[vixfinn]

Thankyou both. I will leave it to do what pumpkins do and once it's got going I'll feed it and fuss just a little then.