Growing Pumpkins in Containers

Pumpkin belongs to the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae. The other members of this family are squashes and gourds. Pumpkins are powerhouses of minerals and vitamins . They are mostly yellow or orange, dark and light both, round, oblong or oval in shape with deep creases running from the stem to the bottom of their thick skin. On cutting it open, one can find seeds and white flesh in it.

How to Grow Pumpkins in a Container?

There are many reasons why people prefer container gardening over other forms of gardening. For those who are restricted on space, growing seasonal flowers and vegetables in small pots and containers will ensure that they have a regular supply of their choice of vegetables and flowers. Another reason maybe the presence of bad soil. One of the primary advantages of planting pumpkin trailers in containers is the control one can have over the quality of soil and its pH balance. To save the pumpkin trailer from harsh climate is also another reason for growing pumpkins in a container. Besides these choices, some people do it as a form of hobby, while others prefer to have neat looking gardens. Whatever may be the reason, at the end of it, with a little bit of care, you will have a healthy pumpkin in your hands.

Pumpkin Seeds

Growing pumpkins from seeds is quite easy. Decide upon the type of pumpkin you want. Seeds should be sowed in early September or mid-spring, whichever is earlier. Buy seeds from a reputable vendor. In a smaller container, or individual small pots, add free draining potting soil. Pre-soak the pumpkin seeds an hour before sowing them. The moisture set in them will hasten their process of germination. Sow seeds individually on its side and create a mound over it. Keep this in a shaded area. For small pots, stand them in water until the top soil gets drenched, whereas for large containers, spray mist. Water frequently until they sprout, which should be ideally in around a week. While sowing seeds in large containers, if you maintain one foot difference between two seeds, you do not need to transplant them. Otherwise, your pumpkin seedlings are ready for transplantation when they reach a four leaf stage.

Taking Care of Pumpkins

Spacing and planting pumpkins in containers will depend upon the variety. It would be best to keep quite a bit of distance between them as pumpkin plants are vines, so they grow tall and spread. Too many of them in the same container will just end up entangling each other resulting in poor yield. Pumpkins prefer a rich loamy soil enhanced which will require a bit of composting. The soil should be well drained and be able to retain moisture at all times. Take a container that is at least two to three feet deep and two feet in diameter. Fill it up with nutrient rich potting soil. Plant the seedling and water it well. Move it to a sunny spot and allow the pumpkin vein to grow taller. Pinch off the main growth to allow for lateral shoots. Preferably train only smaller pumpkin varieties on the trellis. Large pumpkins will not be held up by trellis. Allow them to trail down.

Pumpkins should be regularly fed with fertilizer, especially during their growing period. Healthy pumpkin vines can grow more than six inches a day. Weed around the pumpkin, and make sure that you discard all damaged leaves and vines around it. By mid July male and female flowers begin to appear. The flowers that have small pumpkins growing under them is the female flower. Depending on how many pumpkins and their size you are looking forward too, pinch off excess female flowers. A pumpkin vine always attracts a wide number of pest and insects, not to mention small animals too. A regular watch on them is important to ensure good growth. As they are easy to grow and have many uses, especially around Halloween, one can grow pumpkins for profit as well.

Growing pumpkin trailers in containers will ensure that your plants are well protected and the soil quality always stays good.