This year I am growing a medium size Pumpkin variety called Bellatrix F1 and I’m quite excited to see if it will get to a medium size and how long the vines will be!
Pumpkin Variety I’m Growing: Bellatrix F1
I bought the seeds from MoreVeg.co.uk as they are reliable in germination and a very good price.
Reasons for Growing:
- Uniform size fruits for carving,
- Bright Orange colour,
- Powdery Mildew Resistant.
- Pumpkins will weigh approx 7-10 kg. Good for Halloween!
I am working my way up the sizing chart as last year I grew Baby Bear pumpkins which were the size of an adults hand.
This year’s Pumpkins have been in the ground for 3 weeks and they are looking ready to ramble.
How do Pumpkins Ramble?
Pumpkins grow on a vine, which is a central stem that is very flexible and grows and creeps across the ground. The vine gets longer as it grows and takes approximately 90 to 100 days to grow to full length.
Normally you will get 2 or 3 pumpkins on each vine. (Depending on soil nutrient conditions, as they are very hungry plants).
Along certain parts of the vines, leaves grow. The Leaves are quite large and have two purposes. One purpose of leaves is so that photosynthesis can occur with the leaves turning the sunshine into energy within the plants cells. The second purpose is to shade the pumpkins when they are ripening.
That’s why these plants need full sun so they can grow strong vines and pumpkins.
Pumpkin Vines grow up to approximately 15cm per day, if they are happy plants with sunlight & have enough water. Vines also need compost or a nitrogen fertiliser to boost their growth.
Top Tips for Pumpkin Vine Growth
- 1. When planting Pumpkins plants in the ground, add multi purpose compost in the planting hole.
- 2. Add a small layer of compost as a mulch, around the pumpkin plant stem on top of the soil. Then water well at soil level to wash the nutrients through into the root area of the soil.
- 3. Feed with nitrogen 3-4 weeks after planting into the ground . Then use the nitrogen fertiliser (I use tomato liquid feed mixed with a large watering can of water) every 2 weeks.
Where should I plant my Pumpkin in the ground?
This is important to consider as the vines will need room to grow or ramble and if you are growing in a raised bed, you will need room either side when it needs to ramble.
My Pumpkin plants have been planted in a raised bed under sunflowers and at one end of the bed with Sweetcorn.
The idea was to get the pumpkins to ramble through the sweetcorn stems but realistically they will need to ramble down the length of the raised bed to have enough room to grow.
How to Plant Pumpkins in a Raised Bed Video
You will need:
- A pumpkin plant or 2,
- A trowel,
- Watering can filled with water.
How to Plant Pumpkins outside in a Raised Bed
1. Find a space to plant your Pumpkins, they will ramble over ground on a long vine and produce leaves first and then pumpkins. They especially like growing with Sweetcorn and Beans.
They also like compost and lots of it, just place it on top of your raised beds before planting the pumpkins in the soil.
2. Dig a hole with your trowel, in the raised bed soil, the same size as the pot you have your plant in.
3. Hold the base of the stem with one hand (use gloves if you have sensitive hands, as the stem is quite prickly) and tip the plant so your weight of the plant is on your left hand. Then pull the pot off with your right hand.
4. Gently tease the roots free at the bottom of the plant. Don’t worry if you break any roots, it will grow some more when it’s in the ground.
5. Plant your Pumpkin in the freshly dug hole. Make sure the plant is upright and pull the dirt back in the hole and around the plant.
6. Water well with your watering can at soil level around the stem.
Bookmark for Later – More About Pumpkins
It’s Time to Sow Pumpkins in May – Step by Step instructions on how to Sow your Pumpkin Seeds.
Top Tips for Growing Pumpkins for Halloween
Growing Baby Bear Pumpkins – Top Facts about Growing Pumpkins
sowgrowharvest.co.uk 
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