I have some good news. I didn't tell you guys this, but I have been growing pumpkin seeds since about late May and June. I planted the seeds in my little garden in the back and to be honest I didn't think they would grow, so I didn't follow their little progress and now I wish I did because they are stunning and full of life.
I planted about 4 little mounds and put about 4-6 seeds in each little hill mounds in the back garden. I have this nice size garden in the back and nothing was growing in there except garlic and I love pumpkins and wanted to try growing them this year. So I bought a pack of pumpkin seeds in the beginning of the summer waiting till the frost ended at night and then I went to work and made the little mounds and watered them heavily.
I turned my little back on them for a few weeks and then we noticed that they sprouted, they were so tiny, but something grew.
A few weeks later, almost out of nowhere, I saw the largest leaves I had ever seen. From my tiny little sprout grew long strong leaves. I couldn't believe my eyes.
Once again, a few weeks later to our disbelief the leaves became wild and were long and beautiful yellow flowers began to take form. They have been blooming almost daily ever since.
This past weekend I decided to go to them and see what was going on. I didn't want to bother them because I knew that nature would take of them and I let them be to see what and how they grew on their own. And they grew so much. The roots took hold and large long vines grew about 5-6 feet long at opposite directions and I see tendrils taking hold of the grass. These little tendrils hold the grass and secure the vine. I never see anything quite like it. I tried to pull one of the long vines but the little tendril held tightly to the ground like little hands. I moved him around so that way he doesn't grow up the house :)
This morning when I woke up one of the yellow flowers bloomed so large and vividly. I was so happy to see that.
So now that they are all on this stage in their lives I am going to start monitoring them from their flowers to when they transform into pumpkins.
I have learned so much from them. Every part of them is necessary to live and grow. Their huge large (and very prickly) leaves shade them and keeps the soil moist. They need alot of water (luckily for me its been a rainy few months), their trendrils securing their vines to the ground, and even bees are so important. The bees are the ones that will pollinate them male flowers and female flowers.
Though I was so happy to see the flowers bloom, I was sad to hear that each flower only blooms for a day and then by tonight they will close forever. But its necessary part of the pumpkin process :)
I will keep you updated and take a photo every week from now on so that you can see them grow with me.
Take care,
Kim
Papier Mache Sugar Skull, "In the Pink", by Kimberly
Papier Mache Sugar Skull, "Negro y Blanco"
Papier Mache Sugar Skull, "Verde", by Kim
I am currently working on the purple one on the right and the yellow and orange one on the left.
Below is how she looked before.