During
drought, some plant species will abort their blossoms and fruit in order to
preserve the primary plant, I wasn’t sure these vines would produce the tiny
pumpkins I love. Luckily, the vines
produced a plethora of vivid yellow blossoms, and bees continuously worked
among the pumpkin flowers. I was
pleased our hearty vines “gave birth” to four dozen delightful mini pumpkins in
AUG/SEPT.
If you are
thinking about growing mini pumpkins next season, consider the space required
for a successful crop. Even with a vertical
support available, tenacious vines also traveled horizontally and encroached
upon other plants in their vicinity.
Also, since pumpkins are open pollinated, you should not plant
other varieties of pumpkin or squash nearby.
(Long ago I made this mistake and the unsightly “mutant” pumpkins
produced were the result of cross pollination.)
Growing mini
pumpkins is especially fun for children since they watch the progression of
growth, and one day they can harvest the tiny orange bits of joy.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmfYA9GTbVjVjD34J1uPUR0DXR3ztMemSMhhbWKLz2exfs0oMlSC_sgRA8CfhTWGLSAFcokrvK1pEGU_4U7RCRpGi_oGgDzxueoboDxBXj6IG9z7cG7E9JdJ4EnDbAB-VucKH3ZXikNMJ/s1600/jack+be+little+pumpkins.jpg)
M. Lynn
Schmid, Certified Master Gardener
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture
A.A.S. Landscape/Horticulture/Arboriculture