This spring and summer so far has been exceptional for growing one of my favourite vegetables, Queensland Blue Pumpkins.
So that my overseas readership doesn’t get too confused, in Australian English, the word pumpkin is what we use for all form of winter squash. These beauties are no exception.
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| Queensland Blue to the left and right (Australian butter top and bottom) |
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| Qld Blue seedlings on the left |
However, there are a few more conditions necessary for this vegetable to thrive.
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| Pumpkins on left after two months growth (early Nov) |
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| Qld Blue three months growth – starting to run everywhere |
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| The first fertilised pumpkin |
Space – Most pumpkins or winter squash need lots of room to grow. Not necessarily where the roots are located, but enough room to allow the plant to send out runners on which the pumpkin grows. The great thing about pumpkins is that the vines will grow vertically as they have tendrils that grip on to objects really tightly. You don’t need to train them upwards, they just do it all by themselves. However to promote lateral growth on which the female flowers of the pumpkin develops, you need to pinch off the growing tip of the runner after it reaches about five metres long. This tip really does help to increase the plant’s output.
Ok , the last few years I have had no luck with pumpkins, thanks for the tips, I have mine planted in a different spot this year so I have my fingers crossed x
No problem Sharon. Keep trying as that is the way of the gardener!
Gav x
LOL! Last spring, I planted some Australian Butter Pumpkins because you’d written about them and they sounded so good. Well, the entire garden was a complete disaster: 6 months of rain in 6 weeks’ time (and very little sun), followed by nearly a week of 90+F temps. I planted four hills of squash, and from that, I finally got two…count ’em two squash: one small buttercup, and one ABP. When I went to pick the ABP, I found the entire insides had already been eaten out by something, probably a squirrel or maybe voles. Sigh. I do have a hard time with squash in normal years even, because I always lose at least a few plants to squash vine borers, too.
I figure next year has GOT to be better.
Hi Kathy. I have some Aussie Butter pumpkins growing as seedlings, which I will put in very soon. Sounds like you have a wealth of critters that want to do your pumpkins in.
Hope you have better luck next season. x
Several years ago a coworker brought pumpkin back from a holiday in Vancouver. A friend of hers had grown these strange coloured, funny shaped pumpkins. She had too much and gave me a piece, which I used to make the best pumpkin pie I had ever tasted. They were Queensland Blues. I now have some seeds and when we get our new garden organized this spring, they will be given a nice sunny spot to grow. Keep your fingers crossed. 🙂
Excellent work! They are really delicious when fresh, but great roasted after being stored for a while. The skins turn tough as nails, which aids its longevity.
Gav x
hi Gavin, I never seem to be able to get anything to grow pumpkin wise. I think it is the lack of heat from what you have said.
I thought you might like to read this.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/9523903/Saudis-may-run-out-of-oil-to-export-by-2030.html
15 years to get my little homestead up and running
Could be, you live in the UK right? Give it a few years and your climate will warm up! 🙁
I think you may have a little less time than you think. Most oil geologist predict “the 2017 drop off” as oil demand outstrips global production as it begins to drop away. Sorry for the bad news.
Gav x
Excellent tips, thank you! Do you suggest pulling off some of the developing pumpkins if there are a lot of them? Last year I had a huge pumpkin plant that only produced ONE pumpkin. I couldn’t believe it! Now I think it might be because there were too many trying to grow on the one vine so they all died when quite small. If you have any advice on this I’d really appreciate it, thanks!
unfertilized flowers will get to golf ball size then wither up. You need to wander out into the garden with a cuppa before breakfast, pick a male flower, strip off the petals and … ahem.. do the business with the ladies. This also avoids nasty cross pollination problems as well.
The wonderful rain has been most helpful with the garden growing but sadly the accompanying temperatures in those 350 metres further above sea level than Melton means it’s been too cold for much action in the pumpkin patch. I so have plenty of seeds up – around 60 at last count out the front and a further 20 out the back (all different varieties and more to go in yet) but most of them are at the cotyledon stage alone, or just discovering their first true leaves. Last year they were up and growing a lot sooner and the weather I think was a little more friendly as far as temperatures went but even so our pumpkins were small and a little lacking in flavour. Last year was warm and dry, this year cold and wet. I can only hope that the temperatures next week hang around to stay (26 here) so I can have some hope of a harvest. Still, a little worm wee might encourage them somewhat. 🙂
I live in Los Angeles, and this is my first year planting these Australian blue “pumpkin” seeds. Had them in the ground in February under water bottles that I bottomed out, like little greenhouses. Now they are from the end of my patio to almost the back fence. WAAAY over the 5 meters you mentioned, but still producing flowers and squash along the way. Some are as big around as a dinner plate. Thank you for your article on them…precious little information in my neck of the woods here.
No problem Kat, happy to help out. You will also find that they are delicious when ripe! They make a mean pumpkin soup.
Hey Kat they can get bigger than dinner plates 🙂 and yes Gavin. QLD Blues make the best pumpkin soup
Hi Gavin, I’m a bit concerned about the hay that a friend got for me. I don’t know what kind it is and I’m mulching around all my fruit trees etc. and my vegie bed. I’ve just read an article in the Grass Roots magazine saying about Sorghum hay killed all his vegies, as it has spray residue on it that does it. I’ve just been out looking at my plants and the lemon tree lower leaves are yellowing and I’m just wondering, as I don’t know what kind of hay I’ve got. Any thoughts?
Hi Gwenda,
I certainly have heard of this happening, but have not experienced it myself. I only use organic sugar cane mulch around my garden, so don’t have the issue of residual pesticides.
Gav
I have had a Queensland blue break off the vine at its stalk. It was growing over a fence and the weight was too much. It is 16cm across and still a dark green colour and stalk. Will this be suitable for eating? It is the first time I have tried this method and ther are numerous others on the vines.
Hi Patrick. Yes, I have eaten pumpkins early that have broken off. They are fine if big enough. If the flesh is orange inside then all is good. If not, give it to the chooks.
im in west texas i planted my qweenland pumpkins im April 1st they took off in may and still going in august but the heat is slowing them down some but my chicks love the pumpkin eaves to eat as i need to trim back some of the dieing leaves .
Hey Doug, how many pumpkins did you get per vine? Mine usually give about two per plant which is about average for that variety.
I got four blue pumpkins on my one vine! Amazing!
Excellent!
will these pumpkins grow in Phx AZ? If so, when would you plant them?
Ron
I reckon given a bit of warmth and right watering they would be fine. They are pretty resilient. I once had thirteen enormous ones off a few vines that grew out of seed in compost heap
for some reason my queensland blue pumpkin broke off the vine and i dont think it has ripened its still a very light green colour , how can i ripen it ? or cant i ?
How do I know when they are ready to pick? We have 3 vines with 6 pumpkins and it’s the first time we’ve had them grow so well. As you say they love full sun.
My name is Gottie Myburgh from Villiersdorp in the Western Cape South Africa, I gave the Queensland Blue Pumpkin a try and had huge success with it. Not a lot of people here knew about it, but raved about how nice the taste and texture of the pumpkin is. I am going to plan my veg garden better this year for more production as the 1st try was fantastic.
I live in Ontario Canada. My son sent me Blue pumpkin seeds early this year and one vine survived, it grew about 15 ft then attached itself to a tree. I now have a beautiful pumpkin growing about 20 ft. above ground, wish me luck!
I planted quite a few seeds I salvaged from a farm bought QLD Blue. They have just sprouted. How many plants do you advise for a family of 2? I live in south east QLD