Where are you in the US that you might expect pumpkins to grow in November? These are normally considered hot season crops, meaning they achieve their best growth and production during the warmest, summer months - June through September, typically. Unless you are growing them in a greenhouse or under other special circumstances.

To be honest, I see nothing wrong with your plants that is out of syc with the lateness of the season. Eg., temperatures cool, day length shortens and the plants start to shut down.

I live in the Fort Lauderdale area of South Florida. Could that really be it?

Yep.

Here is a link that might be useful: FL extension service sheet on pumpkins

Do you think the female flower will set fruit?

Not if it doesn't open and there are no male flowers present. You may very well get some fruit, but I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for a well-developed, fully ripened crop over winter. Just the wrong time of year.

When would be the best time of year to grow pumpkins in my area? Which kinds would be best?

It looks to be difficult, but not hopeless ... see the link ...

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Pumpkin Growing Tips

gal gave you a link.. i suggest you read it ...

the key is sunshine.... even in FL.. the sun declines in intensity ... and the days get shorter ... and this severely limits what gal calls the hot season crops ....

and you might find out.. that many veg are such ....

and that is why ... you start seed in early spring.. when the soil is warm enough for germination ... so the little things.. can grow a root mass... so that when the heat of summer hits ... they can go full bore crazy in growth and production ...

at 60 days old.. two months... you planted precisely at the end of said season ...

now i am sure things are a bit different in FL.. compared to my MI experience ... but i wanted to give you some simple explanations of the theory.. well at least i hope simple.. lol ... if someone comes along with better deep south info.. then what they say ...

you were.. most likely.. 180 degrees off the proper planting time.. meaning.. is you went 6 moths further back.. and had planted in march.. you would have been a lot closer to success ... and i bet.. in FL.. you could have gone even earlier than that ....

and do understand.. most of this theory.. is NOT specific to gourds/pumpkins ....

ken

Ok thank you. I just wanted some clarification. Is there any hope for my pumpkins that are already growing?

Is this the same reason that the tiny pumpkin on the female flower is turning yellow and dying?

Probably wasn't pollinated, if there was no male flower.

It hasn't even opened yet:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-21UTXHqPjj4/VFjriTObB6I/AAAAAAAACC8/J5JJl5roj_E/w300-h400-no/14%2B-%2B2

It's been 8 days since it first showed up. Should it take this long?

There's one higher up on the vine:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_TWxjizd7q0/VFjriYEMEGI/AAAAAAAACC8/Y_Onl3RB-KM/w300-h400-no/14%2B-%2B1

Can I do anything to ensure it blooms?

Jac, if the female flower doesn't open and if it does but there is not a male flower present to fertilize it, the fruit will abort.

Unfortunately, there really isn't anything that can be done to get the flowers to open or even for the plant to produce more flowers..........except maybe turn back the clock a few months :-) It is all in the hands of Ma Nature and she has her own time schedule for these things.

I've never gardened in FL and have no idea how different seasonally dependent crops there might react but I have to tell you that based on my experience, I do not hold out a lot of hope for your pumpkins this winter. Sorry :-(