I’ve been keeping a close eye on my pumpkins in the last few weeks. 
Their leaves started looking a little odd about 10 days ago. 
I checked around and found that they are susceptible to a mildew when they get too much water in a short amount of time. I’ve been spraying them with a mild anti-fungal solution and they don’t seem to be getting any worse.
In fact, they’re growing all over the place. This is on August 1, 
and this is August 7.
I have some in the front garden, and they’re finally clawing their way up a little bit of rope I hung from the railing.
The flowers and tendrils continue to fascinate me, and when I went to take pictures today, I found this little piece, all curled up, lying perfectly on a leaf.
I had not realized how prickly pumpkin stems and leaves are, but you can see it here.
There are a ton of the male flowers, and it’s fun to see the bugs and bees pollenating them. 
There are some tiny little pumpkins growing, but they’ve got a long way to go before they’re ready to be carved.
Here’s what else is growing in my wee garden:
A gorgeous gardenia blossom that smells so fabulous.
A sunny yellow daisy.
White geraniums with a tiny bit of orange in the center.
And a crazy-looking bright red hibiscus.
What’s in your garden?
Though I have no garden this year, your pictures make me happy. I know the plants do the same for you.
ReplyDeleteAfter many years of having no space for a garden, this is fun.
DeleteHello Meg,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your pumpkins! I have always wanted to grow some but have never had any luck, the squirrls always help themselves to whatever is gowning. So I will follow along and watch yours grow.
Love all of the flowers, I am sure it must be nice to have your own garden space.
Have a fabulous week! Elizabeth
I haven't had trouble with squirrels... yet. There's still time for it to go south!
DeleteAnd how do you know they are male flowers?!?!
ReplyDeleteI read it somewhere. They're really different from the flowers that have the little fruits below them. And besides, you can see their little willies.
DeleteHow do you know the unopened female flower has been pollinated? Years ago I studied Botany, but i used the internet to refresh my memory about pollination -- I have no stigma using a reference source, and even googled pumpkin pollination to get the skinny on how to grow Big pumpkins -- what an eye opener
ReplyDeleteI don't know if the unopened flowers have been pollinated, but with all of the bees and other bugs crawling around, i am hoping that they are.
Deletei've read about how people grow the record breaking pumpkins, but i will be happy with just one small one.
Water :-)
ReplyDeleteDi
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Love the Gardenia xxx
the gardenia's smell is so fabulous. sort of peppery and sweet.
DeleteI never had any luck with pumpkins either. Same problem. Squirrels. I'll enjoy watching yours. My mother had a gardenia she nurtured for a long time. It was potted and came in during cold weather and back out in warm, and you're right. They smell divine.
ReplyDeletethis gardenia is a cutting from a cutting from a plant that my mother has had for 40+ years. it's been pretty hardy stock. i need to prune my bigger plant, but it really scares me to do that.
DeleteI didn't know that Hibiscus would thrive that far north! Must be a really tough guy. Have a great day. Mary
ReplyDeletemary. i got it last summer and over-wintered it in a southern exposure window. it's not as good-looking this year, but it is flowering.
DeleteI am envious of your gardenia. I tried to grow one indoors and it is no longer. I can manage herbs and flowers in containers outdoors but not much else. My husband is growing the most prolific and tasty banana peppers and tomatoes.
ReplyDeletethis is a cutting of a cutting from an old gardenia. i try and do as little as possible, save adding some acids to the water occasionally. it's sort of benign neglect combined with the terror of killing it if i do something different.
DeleteMeg prune it bigger? Or encourage a bush-ier habit? If you have long branches with not much on them, bending then to touch the ground (hold in place with big rock) can either allow the branch to root in the soil or this temporary "attitude adjustment" will encourage new growth on an other wise branch less stem-- once you see growth of a pleasing amount remove rock (I for get the term for this method). Maybe your mother knows of this trick or some readers can add their thoughts. it works with azaleas, granted this isn't instant gratification but if you prune you do plant on rooting the trimmings for more plants that would be the greatest benefit. rooting is a good thing I would think your agricultural extension service could address any questions you have about your gardenia.
ReplyDeletemake it bushier, not as leggy. i need to be able to move it inside and out because it can't over-winter outside.
DeleteMeg, I presume you mean the critters take pollen from the male flowers to pollinate the female flowers! that's how sex works, ya know. You can also give nature an assist with a soft dry paint brush and do the pollination yourself. Then you can call yourself Dr. Meg.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I meant... somehow, I doubt I will be out there with a paintbruch!
DeleteI like your photos, especially the pumpkin tree..so fresh..make me feel relax too..
ReplyDelete