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Antwerp, Belgium

Hi,

One plant has little flowers already next to the second and third leave while there are only five leaves on the plant.

I would think this is because the plant isn't "feeling very well" and tries to reproduce as rapidly as possible.

Or is there another possible reason?

Thanks in advance for your reaction!

5/2/2020 12:58:55 AM

North Of The Border

Are they pumpkin plants? If they are, you shouldnt be worried inless they are female flowers, because male flowers show up early in the season, so that the plant attracts bees, and is completely normal. If they are female flowers (identifiable by the mini pumpkin at the base of the flower), then i would just pick them off. You could do the same for male flowers, but there is no real point.

5/2/2020 7:13:19 AM

Long Island,New York

usually a sign of stress.

5/2/2020 10:17:32 AM

Lloydminster/AB

That’s a sure sign of plant stress. If your seedlings were too large when they were put out in relation to the previous pot size it sometimes takes some time for the roots to catch up. If the soil is compacted or dry it could cause it.
Once you have meter or two of vine it should be ok. If you have a couple of meters of vine it’s time for flowers. Pick the females off until you get to a length of vine that can support a pumpkin.

5/2/2020 10:21:05 AM

Grittyville, WA

The male flowers will be the last part to die if there is drought or lack of nutrients nothing will develop except the male buds. Try to boost the health of your roots. Add nitrogen maybe...

5/2/2020 12:44:06 PM

Antwerp, Belgium

Thanks all for your answers!!

Indeed, it's an AG pumpkin. I don't think there's a lack of nitrogen.

The pot the plant was in, was big enough, I think. It had a diameter of about 5 inches.

But stress in itself is surely a possibility. There were some cold nights with temperatures of about 5°C/41°F. Maybe that caused some stress to the plant.

By the way, what would be the ideal lowest temperature at night to put plants outside? I still have a few in pots inside...

5/3/2020 3:37:29 AM

Syracuse, NY

when there is absolute certainty that it will not get down to anywhere near freezing, unless they are in secure greenhouses.
i don't even think biological activity in the soil begins cranking along until about 75 degrees or so, but, it's unlikely anyone could wait for THAT, so, somewhere in-between with the provision to switch on a light if needed during a cold spell = my guess is 55* F. PS - no need to really WORRY about the itsy-bitsy flowers, and that question has been answered nicely already; generally, if you take a plant out of a pot and you SEE roots? the pot was too small, lol---think of it - it's like a fly on a window...eg

5/3/2020 5:02:05 AM

Grittyville, WA

Five leaf plant needs about five gallons of dirt in my experience. I can get to one leaf in a one gallon pot... When that second leaf starts to grow its already getting rootbound and (for me anyhow) this usually means the plant will begin to struggle to get a sufficient & consistent supply of water and nutrients.

5/3/2020 6:38:49 AM

Grittyville, WA

The other possibility is that its a genetic dud. But I think your plant just needs more dirt. A lot of folks are starting a bit too early. Always start back ups so you end up with a good plant. I have lost my very first plants three years in a row. There is actually no reason to start early unless you are trying to pick a fully mature pumpkin in August.

5/3/2020 6:58:41 AM