Mini Pumpkin

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Mini Pumpkins require pollination. Pumpkins are monecious meaning they grow both male and female flowers. Male flowers have thin, straight stems and open first, while female flowers have round, swollen stems (like a baby fruit) and open later. Both must be present to make fruit. When flowers appear, hand-pollinate them by alternating between male and female flowers, gently disturbing the inside of blossoms with your finger or a small brush. If the plant is stressed, it will drop its female flowers almost immediately.

Mini Pumpkins require pruning. Snip away yellow or brown leaves if they appear, and trim back the main stem if it grows beyond 2 feet. This allows for lateral branches to grow, making the plant bushier while ensuring the vine stays within your Gardyn’s light. Mini Pumpkins have a robust root system, so we recommend checking the roots twice a month and trimming any that are brown or extending past the yPod. Once flowers start to fade, remove any that don’t have a fruit forming by pinching the stem below the base of the flower head. This helps the plant refocus its energy on producing the next wave of blooms. Foliage may show signs of stress as fruit begin ripening, which is normal.