I'm by no means an expert, still asking questions frequently here myself, but I'm guessing if the vines/plants aren't too big yet, the plants may not be big enough to support fruit yet, and the plants are aborting the females in order to grow a bit larger? Also, I think very high temps (85F+) may stress the vines as well, and they may abort young unpollinated females. Hopefully an expert will chime in though here as well.

I've had a few promising female buds develop, only to yellow and wrinkle up and die off as well. I have since had 3-4 new ones, hopefully they will open up so I can hand pollinate them soon.

Thank you for replying! anything is welcomed. my vines are about 2-4 foot on some and other are still smallish.
The plant itself aren't as big as i pictured in my head, although long vines i expected bigger leaves so you may be right!I have small buds coming on a few as well and only about 3/4 have grown and come to this yellow colour, i just hope if they do die that i get more as id really love my own pumpkin to carve this year!

do you know anyways in which i can help my plants? certain feeds? i was told phosphorus.

hi! My kids and I are growing pumpkins for the first time this year, also for Halloween :)

You may want to check out another thread on here with someone in a similar situation, female flowers falling off. The consensus there seems to be the same, that the plants are young/small and not quite ready to fruit.

Again, this is my first year, but I've heard phosphorus as well - specifically to do nitrogen at first, then switch to low-nitrogen/high phosphorus when plants start to flower. I started a thread on the forum asking for advice on fertilizer and a couple of folks have responded there if you want to take a peek.

Best of luck to us both!!

thanks steph! i hope we both get a few this year, and hopefully my pumpkins will start growing soon, iv upped water as i dont think i was giving near enough after a little research and ill give more phosphorus as i havent in almost a month!