Here’s a cool side-by-side picture of when I planted pumpkins on June 16th and a picture I took this morning July 24th. It’s pretty amazing what Mother Nature can do in just 38 Days.
Pumpkin Pollination is the key to growing pumpkins. It all starts with the Male Flower which grows above the vines and opens about a week or so before the female flower. You can tell the difference between the Male and Female flower quite easily. Male is on the left below, Female is on the right.
The Male is up above the plant and the female grows on the vine underneath the leaves. The giant leaves shade the fruit. Bees, birds and other insects take the pollen from the Male flower from the center stamen and place it on the female flower in the center of the multi segmented stigma. There was a lot of insects doing the pollinating this morning.
Due to the decrease of honey bees in certain areas, you can pollinate pumpkins yourself using a Q-Tip. Simply stick the Q-Tip into the center of the Male flower, and then place the Q-Tip (covered in yellow pollen) into the center of the Female flower.
More Pumpkin Patch Pics….
Pretty soon, you’ll have a pumpkin growing.
I found this guy hiding underneath the leaves. The first pumpkin of the season!
Two Barn Farm 
These look wonderful….maybe something for me to try next year in my UK garden!
Dan you are amazing- I am so very jealous ! Miss ya Bud !
Pat
What a BEAUTIFUL piece of land you have. It is nice to see how you appreciate it! I’ve grown many-a-thing, yet have never had luck with pumpkins. I’ll follow along and see if I can learn anything. Keep up the good work.
-Sarah
great info. I’ve had luck with pumpkins simply growing from my compost…I have a very rustic compost pile…(it’s a great one, just rustic). I never understood the male/female – thanks! I’m actually going to plant seeds this year – I plan on planting them near my compost…edible pumpkins instead of jack-o-lanterns…great pics!