I'm a first-time pumpkin grower trying to cultivate Sweet Pies in my Ontario garden (zone 5b), and I've noticed that my pumpkins seem especially thirsty. It's been really hot, and I've been watering all my plants at around 5:30 am daily. However, by noon, my pumpkin plants are flopping over. I water them again at noon, trying to avoid getting water on the leaves, and they perk back up by around 4:00 pm. Everything else in the garden seems fine with just one watering per day. Has anyone else dealt with this? My garden is set up in raised beds with a mix of 1/3 peat, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 compost, known as Mel's Mix from Square Foot Gardening. Thanks for any insights!
3 Answers
I totally get that! Mine look like they've fainted in the midday sun, but they spring back once it cools off, even without extra water.
It sounds like they might be thirsty, but also keep an eye out for bacterial wilt, which is common with pumpkin plants and can be spread by cucumber beetles. Make sure to check carefully; if they're infected, you'll have to pull them out. Here’s a link with more info: [Bacterial Wilt Info](https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g2023/2010/html/view).
Yeah, pumpkins can really be thirsty, and they're kind of dramatic. They droop in the heat but bounce back once it cools down a bit.