Your comments and tips

04 May 09, Michael Stapleton (Australia - temperate climate)

My butternut pumkins flower and then start to grow a small pumkin around 4 cm across then they turn yellow and rot.Can you tell me why? I am only a novis gardener.

Reply or Post a new comment

19 Apr 09, dette (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

My pumpkin isn't getting any female flowers at all. 4 plants and not a female among them. The squash etc which grow in the same area under same conditions are doing great. Any ideas. Should I rip them out and try again? Or should I just be more patient?

Reply or Post a new comment

17 Apr 09, Robert B (Australia - temperate climate)

I have been growing Queensland Blues & Jap Pumpkins here in Sydneys West for a while and would like to know the following : Male flowers are plentiful usually at the start of the vine & female flowers are not as many but as the vine lengthens more females appear, so how far do you let the vine grow. If cut does the right ratio of flowers continue shoot or that stops everything, what you have is all you get and do you plug the cut end to prevent disease getting into the vine (read that on the net) Also everyone says when the vine withers pick your crop, mine was going great and green but I picked them (stem still green & firm) as I felt they were large enough but several had started to rot inside, we saved them luckey as another couple of weeks would have lost the lot. So how do you know when to pick. heard about tapping it sound hollow its ripe, pick a piece of skin with fingernail the skin can give you an idea. Noticed in the fruit shop many pumpkins have fingernail pieces dug out ??? somebody know something !!!!! As the pumpkin is pollinated & starts to grow do you sit it on a tile or similar keeping it off the ground ( for air & warmth circulation) sometimes when left on the ground the under side looks soft and worms and bugs seem to love that position.

Reply or Post a new comment

16 Apr 09, tony bray (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have plenty of Ironbark Pumpkin seed. They grow very well in Canberra. Also have "crosses' of Iron bark and Qld Blue which is afar superior pumpkin to both it's parents. Martha May give me a call on 62310508

Reply or Post a new comment

10 Apr 16, Evelyn (Australia - tropical climate)

I am looking for "Spookie" Pumpkin seeds. Can you help me please? I understand the Spookie is a smallish, hard skinned, long keeping flavoursome pumpkin, that WILL grow well in South Queensland (Gold Coast) ?? Any advice would be valued, Thank you, Evelyn

Reply or Post a new comment

20 Sep 13, Seila (Australia - temperate climate)

Yes I would like some seeds too

Reply or Post a new comment

26 Jan 13, Sue Richards (Australia - temperate climate)

To Tony, I tried your number because I would like to get some seeds of the cross between the Iron bark and Qld blue, can you let me know what your email or website is so I can order, thank you. Sue

Reply or Post a new comment

25 Mar 09, Genine (Australia - temperate climate)

Just wondering if anyone has some advice, I have some butternut pumpkins which have been growing really well, but now the leaves have started to die in the middle, am I going to loose my pumpkins which are nearly ready to pick??

Reply or Post a new comment

22 Mar 09, Martha May (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have been looking for the Ironbark Pumpkin too. I would appreciate Ray Selby pointing me to who has the seeds I would like to buy them as I don't have any seeds to swap yet as we recently moved from the tropics to Canberra and I have just made 3 large above ground beds. Not sure what pumpkins do any good here but happy to give them a try, come September?Oct. I have other pumpkins lined up to see what survives here. But would like the Ironbarks as they are a delicious pumpkin for all cooking. If you can help thanks.

Reply or Post a new comment

21 Mar 09, Ray Selby (Australia - tropical climate)

We have hundreds of Ironbark Pumpkins and sell them at the markets in Beenleigh, Brisbane...if that is any help Elle. Alternately we can organise seeds for you.

Reply or Post a new comment