Problem: Browning and falling female pumpkin flower buds

13 years ago

This is my first pumpkin plant so maybe I'm doing something wrong.

I've read all about the difference in male and female flowers and natural pollination vs hand pollination. So I waited for a female flower. Males bloomed and went until finally hallelujah the start of a tiny female bud. As days go by, the tiny bud grows very little while the rest of the plant is flourishing. Eventually the unopened female bud browns, shrivels a bit, and drops off the vine. This has happened to 2 or 3 buds. The picture I displayed is what they look like shriveling before falling.

It's been in the 90s and 100s here in northern Los Angeles and the planter it's in dries up fast. I've been watering when the plant leaves start to look tired and droop, which has seemed like every other day, sometimes every day.

So why are all of my female buds browning and dying before they have a chance to open and be pollinated? Could it be a lack for nutrients in the soil and if so which ones? Will the plant stop growing females if none ever open?

I appreciate any info you have to offer, and thanks for your time!

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Comments (3)

planetes
13 years ago
it's likely temperature or nutrient/fertilizer related.. the plant may also abort them if it already has several fruits established.

I like think of it as the plant having a finite carrying capacity for reproduction.. if it's already carrying several fruit that load capability can be maxed out depending on the plant's environmental conditions. Likewise, if the environment changes radically (the temperatures shoot up or down, or nutrient levels drop) then the carrying capacity is reduced and it is forced to abort to maintain the core system.

I have no idea if that's accurate but being an engineer it helps me wrap my brain around it.
maquermi
Original Author
13 years ago
No fruit have grown on the vine, it just keeps aborting them. I'm thinking I need to add fertilizer with more P and K. Could a low N be the problem if the rest of the plant is healthy and green? Also, does anyone have any specific fertilizers they recommend? Thanks
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Teresa Nicholson
4 years ago
I've had the same problem with my giant pumpkins. I just bought some pumpkin juice from Amazon. It's fertilizer just for pumpkins. I used it last year and I had better luck. I'm thinking it's the heat it's been over 95°. Here most time summer.