Growing a pumpkin inside another pumpkin is a fun gardening project that produces an impressive result The “pumpkin in a pumpkin” appeals to kids and adults alike when they see the smaller pumpkin sprouting leaves and vines out of the carved pumpkin shell.
This unusual way of growing pumpkins does take some advance planning and care to get it right. With the right preparation and conditions, you can have success growing a vigorous mini pumpkin that peeks through the carved face or openings of a larger, hollowed pumpkin
Why Grow a Pumpkin in a Pumpkin?
Beyond the novelty factor, this project helps teach basic plant biology. Kids will love checking the progress of the sprouting seed and emerging vines. It’s an interactive way to show how seeds germinate and grow into a mature plant.
The contrast of life sprouting from the carved pumpkin, which is slowly decaying, also makes for a neat science lesson. Young gardeners observe the full life cycle of the pumpkin, from seed to sprout to mature plant.
When displayed on the porch or lawn, your pumpkin in a pumpkin creation also makes a fun conversation piece and unique fall decoration. It adds festive flair to harvest-themed parties or activities.
Tips for Success
While certainly possible, there are some pitfalls to avoid when attempting to grow a pumpkin inside another pumpkin. Follow these tips to ensure your pumpkin in a pumpkin thrives:
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Select small pie pumpkin varieties. Some of the best types for this project are miniature pie pumpkins like Baby Pam, Jack Be Little, and Sweetie Pie, as well as small sugar pumpkin varieties. These produce smaller vines and fruits that won’t outgrow a carving pumpkin.
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Allow time for sprouting. Plant the seeds 1-2 weeks before you want to display your carved pumpkin, to give them time to sprout first. Check daily and once the seed sprouts, it’s ready to go inside the carved pumpkin.
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Clean out pumpkin thoroughly. Scrape out all the flesh and seeds, then disinfect the inside using a bleach solution to kill any bacteria or fungi that could cause rotting. Let dry completely.
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Provide good drainage. Fill the bottom inch or two of the pumpkin with gravel before adding potting mix. You want excess moisture to drain out to prevent stem and root rot.
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Use quality potting soil. A sterile, nutrient-rich potting mix gives young plants the best start. Do not use garden soil, which could harbor diseases.
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Give strong light. For robust growth, situate your creation in a sunny spot outdoors or provide full-spectrum grow lights indoors for 12-16 hours per day.
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Monitor watering. Check the soil daily and provide just enough water to keep moderately moist. Take care not to overwater or let soil dry out completely.
Follow these tips, and your pumpkin in a pumpkin display should last for weeks and impress all who see it!
Step-By-Step Guide
Here is a more in-depth walkthrough on how to grow a mini pumpkin in a larger carved pumpkin:
Supplies Needed
- Carving pumpkin (medium to large size)
- Mini pie pumpkin seeds
- Potting soil
- Gravel or pebbles for drainage
- Bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water)
- Spoon and knife for scraping out pumpkin flesh
- Toothpicks or plant stakes (optional)
- Sunny window or grow light
Directions
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Select your pumpkins. Pick out an uncarved, medium to large pumpkin that will be the planter. For the inner sprouting pumpkin, look for mini pie pumpkin seeds, such as Baby Boos or Jack Be Littles, that produce compact vines.
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Plant seeds early. Plant your mini pumpkin seeds in small pots 1-2 weeks before you’ll carve the larger pumpkin. You want them to sprout before being transplanted into the carved pumpkin planter.
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Scrape out the pumpkin. Cut off the top of your carving pumpkin. Thoroughly scrape out all the stringy flesh and seeds, making sure to remove all traces. This prevents rotting and bacteria.
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Disinfect interior. Make a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Swish this around the inside of the pumpkin and let sit 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. This kills any lingering bacteria. Allow to dry completely.
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Add drainage. Place 1-2 inches of gravel, pebbles, or stones in the bottom of the pumpkin to allow drainage.
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Transplant sprouted seed. Once sprouted, carefully transplant your started mini pumpkin into the prepared larger pumpkin. Gently loosen roots before planting in the potting mix.
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Fill with soil. Fill the pumpkin 2/3 full with high quality, sterile potting soil. Pack it down firmly around the seedling. Leave 1-2 inches at the top.
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Support the seedling. Use toothpicks or plant stakes gently placed on either side of the stem to help support it if needed.
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Display in optimal light. Give your creation a prime sunny spot outdoors, or provide full spectrum grow lights indoors for 12-16 hours daily.
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Water carefully. Check soil daily. Water lightly to keep the soil moderately moist but not sopping wet. Take care not to overwater.
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Watch it grow! Then enjoy watching roots form and vines emerge from the carved openings and face parts!
Troubleshooting Issues
Even if you follow the best practices, there can be challenges growing plants in a pumpkin. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:
Seeds failing to sprout: This may be due to improper planting depth, low soil temperature, overly wet/dry soil, or using old seeds. Sprout a new batch of seeds in pots first before replanting.
Vines emerging weakly: Low light, improper watering, or poor drainage can limit growth. Try a sunnier location, adjust watering, and add more gravel for drainage.
Pumpkin rotting: If wet, slimy spots form on the pumpkin, bacteria or fungi are causing rotting. Scoop out affected areas and spray remainder with hydrogen peroxide or copper fungicide.
Leaves yellowing: This can indicate overwatering or underwatering. Check soil moisture and roots for signs of problems. Adjust watering accordingly.
White powdery mildew on leaves: Improve air circulation and reduce water on leaves. Spray with a baking soda solution to help control the fungal disease.
Vines dying back: The carved pumpkin itself has a limited lifespan. As it slowly decomposes, the vines will decline but should last 2-4 weeks.
Be diligent about checking your pumpkin daily and taking corrective measures as soon as any problems arise. Proper preparation and care will give you the best chance at pumpkin in a pumpkin success!
Fun Ways to Use Your Creation
A sprouting pumpkin in a pumpkin not only makes a festive outdoor Halloween decoration, it also offers fun opportunities for crafts, activities, and imaginative play:
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Paint faces or designs on your carved pumpkin planter to give it personality.
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Name your sprouting pumpkin plant. Create a storyline around its growth.
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Turn it into a puppet show stage or vignette. Cut windows and decorate the outside.
-Use as part of Halloween science lessons for kids on decomposition, life cycles, etc.
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Have kids journal about the changes they observe as vines emerge over time.
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Use as a centerpiece at your Halloween celebrations and parties.
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Enter it in a pumpkin carving contest in the “Most Creative” category.
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When finished growing, smash it open for a messy pumpkin exploding science experiment.
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Scoop out the vines/seeds, roast and eat the mature mini pumpkin. Make pumpkin pies or bread.
The pumpkin in a pumpkin offers almost endless possibilities for a fun-filled fall activity that engages both kids and adults. Follow the growing tips here, and create an intriguing living centerpiece that will be the highlight of Halloween.
Author Description Hey there, We are Blossom Themes! We are trying to provide you the new way to look and use the blogger templates. Our designers are working hard and pushing the boundaries of possibilities to widen the horizon of the regular templates and provide high quality blogger templates to all hardworking bloggers!As a veterinarian turned homeschool mom, I love creating fun, hands-on learning experiences (especially science experiments) for my kids as well as sharing them with others!
How to Grow Pumpkins at Home From Seed
FAQ
Can I grow a pumpkin from a pumpkin?
Yep. All you need to do is remove the seeds, add dirt, . plant the seeds right back inside, and with some water and . sunlight, you’ll have new pumpkin plants growing in less than a week.
Can pumpkin seeds sprout inside the pumpkin?
Last week while carving our pumpkin we were amazed to find that one of the seeds inside had actually sprouted and was growing! Talk about a teachable moment lol. In all of my years carving pumpkins I have never seen this before! We were able to see how it grew out of the seed, the roots, stem, and leaf.
Will a single pumpkin plant produce pumpkins?
First off, pumpkins, like other cucurbits, have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. That means that it takes two to make fruit.Jan 16, 2023
How do you plant inside a pumpkin?
Use a trowel to scoop out the innards, then fill the hollow pumpkin about one-third or half full with lightweight potting soil. Remove the plants from their nursery containers and set them on top of the soil, then fill in around the plants with more potting soil.
How to grow pumpkin seeds?
Grow the perfect pumpkin, from pie pumpkins, tiny pumpkins to use in your fall décor, or giant pumpkins that will impress your fellow gardeners! Start: If you live in an area with a long growing season, then you can plant pumpkin seeds directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
How do you grow a pumpkin in a garden?
Select somewhere a bit apart from other plants in your garden, since pumpkins tend to stifle most other nearby plants. Alternatively, plant pumpkins in large, 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) containers to save space or grow them indoors. Weed the planting site and prepare well-draining soil.
How long does it take to grow a pumpkin?
Once you’re ready to plant, create a pumpkin hill (a low mound of soil) and sow three to five seeds in it, evenly spaced from each other. The seeds will germinate in about a week. When they reach about 4 inches tall, snip off all but the most robust couple of seedlings on each hill.
How do you plant pumpkin seeds?
Here’s how to plant pumpkin seeds so you get a great harvest in the fall. If you’re planting seeds that you removed from the inside of a fresh pumpkin, there’s some prepping you’ll need to do before you plant them in the ground. Clean off the pulp. Place the seeds in a colander and rinse them with cold water.
How many pumpkins can a pumpkin plant grow?
You can expect about three to five pumpkins from standard-sized pumpkin plants. Smaller pumpkin varieties, like sugar pumpkins, may produce as many as ten pumpkins per plant. To get optimal growth from each plant, keeping your garden free of weeds, adequately watered, and giving your plants enough room to grow is important.
Are pumpkins easy to grow?
These exuberant, sprawling plants and their large, colorful fruits are easy to grow and they’re always a favorite with children. These tips will help you grow perfect pumpkins, whether you have a large garden or you’re growing pumpkins in a small urban yard. Darrell Geissler is a farmer who grows thousands of heirloom and hybrid pumpkins in Iowa.