How to grow a pumpkin in the open ground

How to grow a pumpkin in the open ground? It would seem that this is complicated, stuck a seed in the ground, and let it grow. But, as reviews show, not everyone manages to grow a pumpkin on their own. It seems that the plant is unpretentious in its care, and it does not get sick so often. What is the matter? The answer is banal - in the mistakes that gardeners make from year to year.

Let's figure out why the pumpkin does not grow.

Cooking a pumpkin bed

Those who have ever seen this plant can guess how many nutrients will be needed to build such a mass. Plus, pouring fruit also requires a lot of energy and “food” from the pumpkin. Let's see what other sources advise. Manure. Well, very good and even right. If not for one moment. Absolutely everyone recommends fertilizing in terms of per square meter. That is, pour over the entire surface of the bed.

Meanwhile, the optimal planting scheme for pumpkins is 1 by 1.5 meters. And how many of those fertilizers will go to the roots, which are concentrated in one place, and do not spread throughout the district?

Rule 1. For planting pumpkins, each hole is prepared separately, and not a whole bed.

Read on. Tip to dig the soil to a depth of 50 cm. Why? The main root of the plant goes to a depth of 1.8 m. Small feeding roots are located in the upper soil layer, not deeper than 30 cm. Why do you need to dig to such a depth? And even more so, to make fertilizers there. This is also one of the tips.

It will be enough to pour a bunch of manure in the fall where the hole will be in the spring, and dig a shovel to the length of the bayonet. Then with a stick, peg or some other object to mark the place. In the spring, after the snow melts, dig again. By the way, the width of the hole should be at least 30 to 30 cm. After all, the main root system of the pumpkin is fibrous. Nutrition should be enough for a long growing season.

And further. The space around it is advisable to carefully weave and loosen. Otherwise, the weeds will simply clog the young plants. This adult bushes have nothing to fear. A healthy, full-bodied pumpkin itself inhibits all weeds.

Rule 2. Do not neglect the processing of the surrounding space.

We plant pumpkin seedlings

The most common mistake when planting pumpkins for seedlings is choosing too small a capacity. The depth of the pot or glass should be at least 16 cm. Now we explain why. When the seed sprouts, the first 2 weeks the sprout is rapidly extended. What do they usually do in this case? That's right, dive. Yes, and pinch the central spine.

You can’t do this categorically! This root allows the plant to easily tolerate drought, extracting moisture from the deep layers of the soil. And you tore it off. Or even worse, seedlings looped. That is, a long stalk was turned in a circle and sprinkled with earth. No doubt, additional roots will grow on a buried stem. But if in nature the pumpkin sprout does not grow in a ring, then we should not do that either. What if you break it?

How to do it right? The tank is covered with soil at half height. Plant 1 seed. After it rises, sprinkle a little earth on the stem. The plant still pulls a little, soil is again sprinkled on it.

As a result, by the time of planting in open ground (about 3-5 real leaves), you will get a strong plant with a decent root system.

Rule 3. Pumpkin seedlings do not dive or loop.

Preparing the seeds for planting

Another mistake regarding pumpkin: lack of preplant treatment.What? They pulled out seeds from the fruit, dried, in the spring they shoved them in pots. Perhaps something will come up. Well, yes, well, if it rises. And just great if you don't care.

But there are gardeners who treat each sprout with great love. They cherish every seed, acquire planting material of new varieties. And it is often very expensive. And just scattering seeds is an impermissible luxury. Therefore, we are preparing correctly:

1. Pumpkin seeds are soaked in a strong hot (+ 48 ° С) potassium permanganate solution for 25 minutes.
2. Not washed, transferred to a warm solution of a growth stimulator (zircon, epin, aloe juice) for 7 hours.
3. Do not rinse again, soak in plain warm water for 24 hours.

Everything, now the seeds are decontaminated, nourished and ready for germination. To do this, put a flap of cotton cloth or even a paper towel in the container. Pumpkin seeds are laid out on it, cover with another piece of fabric on top. Now you need to slightly moisten the contents of the container, then put in a warm dark place.

Check daily! Sometimes moisturize with clean water. As soon as the seeds begin to open - you can sow.

Error: when planting, stick the seed into the ground. What for? The sprout itself knows where to turn the leaves, and where the roots are. Planting material is laid on the surface of the earth, about 2.5 cm of soil is sprinkled on top.

By the way, the soil needs to be slightly compacted so that it is easier for the pumpkin to get rid of the seed coat. Just do not ram! Just slightly press the top layer with a spoon or spatula.

Now the whole structure is again placed in a warm and dark place. When sprouts appear, the pot is brought to light.

We look after pumpkin seedlings

In principle, this is not difficult. Watering upon drying of the soil and one top dressing with complex mineral fertilizer in phase 2 of this leaf. Just do not fill the plant, because the black leg does not sleep.

And further. Under a pot or glass, it is advisable to put a foam plate, a piece of foam backing, or even a cork roll flap. This is necessary to protect still young roots from cool air.

Rule 4. Be sure to warm the roots of young pumpkin plants.

Planting pumpkin seedlings

If you did everything right, then planting a pumpkin in open ground is not difficult. Wells have already been prepared, it remains only to spill them thoroughly with water. Enough will be 1.5 liters per seat.

The plants themselves are strong, with a developed root system. And here the following error is made. Many shake the roots from the ground and only then transplant the pumpkin into the soil. What is the purpose of this? We never received a clear answer.

No need to expose the root system of the pumpkin. A sprout is lowered into the hole along with the seed soil. Depth - to cotyledon leaves. From above, all this is carefully mulched with dry soil or loose peat.

Rule 5. Pumpkin seedlings are planted only by transshipment. So the roots are not damaged.

Caring for a pumpkin

Caring for pumpkins in the open ground does not require dancing with tambourines. But letting things go by themselves is not worth it.

Watering. Pumpkin loves to drink. Wide leaves evaporate a lot of moisture. Just do not have to sneak out every day from a watering can. It will not give anything. Water the plants once every 5 days. At the same time, for 1 adult bush you need at least 15 liters of water.

You need to focus on dry soil. Spread the leaves, looked. Is wet? So, do not pour water. Is the land dry? It's time to drink a pumpkin.

In extreme heat, it is necessary to irrigate the plantings in order to lower the ambient temperature and increase humidity. Only here it is not necessary about water droplets, as about lenses for sunlight. Not a single plant in nature after rain in the sun has burned down from your “lenses”.

Top dressing. You will have to feed pumpkins regularly, despite the manure in the hole. It is only enough for initial growth, for about a month.Further, every 13-16 days, it is necessary to apply any of the top dressings under the root:

• green liquid fertilizer
• complex mineral
• mullein infusion
• bird droppings solution

There are no special requirements, choose what is available. Naturally, fertilizers cannot be applied on dry ground. This will provoke a burn of small feeding roots. Pumpkins are fed strictly the day after watering.

Formation. You read other sources and wonder. All, as one, repeat one thing: 3 fruits are left on one pumpkin plant. The remaining ovaries are plucked.

And no one guessed to turn on the head. With good care, these three pumpkins will grow to the size of a Cinderella's carriage. And where do you get them later? Keep such colosses where? Immediately eat a pumpkin weighing 10 kg or more? Keep in mind, the cut fruit begins to mold on the 3rd day. Cram in the fridge? Well, yes, half of the pumpkin will lie there, the rest will have to be pulled out due to lack of space.

How to form a plant? In fact, very simple. Leave all the ovaries until July 30. After this time - pluck without pity. They just won't ripen. And on one plant you will get not 3 mutants, but 5-7 pieces of medium-sized fruits. It is convenient to store them, and eat enough for 1, maximum 2 times.

Rule 6. Pinch shoots of pumpkin strictly above the 5th leaf after the ovary. These blades are involved in the process of photosynthesis and are vital for the proper growth and good development of fruits growing lower on the stem.

Care Features

Pumpkin fruits love to rot. Moreover, from below, from the soil. It’s not immediately and you’ll notice that the process of corruption has begun. To avoid such a nuisance, put a piece of board, fiberboard or chipboard under each vegetable. Just do not put slate or glass. These materials themselves are cold, and on August nights pumpkins will cool further, which will further provoke the process of decay.

Weeding will be needed only at first after landing at a permanent place. Then the foliage will close, the plants will grow and the weeds will not be afraid of them.

By the way, a good result is obtained when planting pumpkins on compost heaps. Only be sure to add a bucket of ordinary earth to the hole so that the roots do not burn. Well, and additional feeding is no longer required, there is plenty of food in the compost. And do not forget about watering.

When growing pumpkins as a trellis culture, the fruit must be suspended in nets. Only strictly on additional support. Soviet string bags are well suited. They are sold now. This procedure will prevent cracking of shoots and stalks ahead of time under the weight of the fruit.

The tendency of long warm autumn observed in recent years in the middle lane allows growing pumpkins in a non-seedling way. That is, there is enough time for the plant to ripen and pour fruit. The only thing to plant pumpkin seeds in open ground will be under temporary shelter. And it is not at all necessary to erect a monolithic greenhouse over the beds. It will be enough just to cover the hole with a dense plastic wrap or even a cropped plastic bottle.

After warming (air temperature above + 18 ° C), temporary shelter can be removed. By this time, the plant will have grown enough and gain strength.

How to grow a pumpkin in the open ground? As you can see, this is not difficult. A few debunked myths, the inclusion of the head in the process of planting and care, abundant watering. And you can enjoy healthy vitamin fruits until spring. Now you will surely succeed.

Video: planting pumpkins in the spring in the open ground