Ornamental Pumpkin Plant

Solanum Integrifolium (Pumpkin on a Stick) is an intriguing tender perennial boasting large blue-green leaves and charming miniature pumpkins on dark stems in late summer to early fall. Grown as a decorative stem for the cut flower industry, Pumpkin on a Stick enjoys a long vase life, up to 2-4 weeks.

What plant looks like mini pumpkins?

The most intriguing fact about these miniature pumpkin-look-alikes is that they are ornamental eggplants. Pumpkin on a stick is planted in the spring, grown over the summer like other eggplants, and ready to eat in the fall.

How do you grow ornamental pumpkins?

Seeds should be sown one to two inches deep in groups of four seeds each, spaced in mounds at least five feet apart in rows spaced eight feet apart. Seedlings should then be thinned to two or three per hill after true leaves emerge. A top tip when sowing these seeds is to plant them with the edge facing down.

How big do miniature pumpkin plants get?

Their vines normally reach between 24 and 30 inches in length, and each plant can be expected to yield about eight mini-pumpkins. You can space the plants 24 to 60 inches apart. To save even more space, you can grow them vertically on a fence or trellis.

Can pumpkin plants survive winter?

Pumpkins can remain in the garden through a light, vine-killing frost. A light frost will not damage the pumpkins themselves. However, all mature pumpkins should be harvested before temperatures drop into the mid to low 20's.

Can you eat ornamental pumpkins?

Tips to avoid poisoning Ornamental gourds (colocynths): These are all toxic and should not be consumed.

Can you eat ornamental mini pumpkins?

For several weeks we've enjoyed them displayed on a white platter in the middle of the dining room table as a simple centerpiece. So lovely. But it turns out that mini pumpkins are not just decoration—they're edible!

Are decorative mini pumpkins edible?

The varieties that are bred primarily for decorative use and Jack-o-lanterns may not be quite as flavorful or might be a bit stringier than pumpkins bred specifically for pies and other culinary uses but they are all edible.

Can mini pumpkins grow in pots?

Grow smaller pumpkin varieties in containers, such as Spooktacular, Baby Bear, Baby Pam, and Small Sugar, which yield 2- to 5-pound fruits roughly 6 to 10 inches across. Wee Be Little, Baby Boo, and Jack Be Little, miniature pumpkins, also grow well in containers.

How long will ornamental pumpkins last?

With proper preservation pumpkins and squash will last two to three months.

How do you keep ornamental pumpkins from rotting?

Spray carved pumpkins daily with water that's mixed with a few drops of bleach. This will help with hydration and protect against rot. If your pumpkin starts looking sad and wilty, perk it back up with a cool bath. Submerge the pumpkin in a large container filled with cold water, and let it soak overnight.

Do ornamental pumpkins have seeds?

They're also not grown for eating, so some of them aren't the most tasty variety. However, if you do find yourself with these ornamental gourds, most of the seeds are still edible.

Do mini pumpkins need a trellis?

Pumpkins are traditionally grown on the ground where the plants take up a lot of space. Tiny pumpkins, however, can also be trellised or grown up fences, tunnels, and other vertical supports.

How long do mini pumpkins last?

On average, Specialty Produce cites that petite white pumpkins, like White Gooligans and Casperitas, will last between six and 12 months, given the right storage conditions.

How much space does a mini pumpkin need?

Space full-size plants 5 feet apart, and mini pumpkins 2 to 3 feet apart. Plants need ample water when flowers and fruits are forming. It is best to use a drip system or soaker hose to directly water soil at the base of vines so as to avoid wetting foliage.

How do you keep a pumpkin alive forever?

Keep It Fresh

1. Spray daily with a bleach solution (use ratio above)
2. Spray daily with a pumpkin spray (either store bought or homemade)
3. Spray with WD-40 (just once or after each soak)
4. Rub with petroleum jelly (just once or after each soak)

Do pumpkins come back every year?

Since the growing season for pumpkins is from early spring to fall, it's important to harvest your plants before the first hard frost of winter. These fruits must be replanted every year—your pumpkins will not come back in the spring on their own.

How long is the lifespan of a pumpkin plant?

Plant Longevity Pumpkins are annual plants. The seeds sprout, grow into mature plants, bloom and produce fruit in one growing season that lasts between 80 and 120 days, depending on variety. Once the fruit matures fully and the seeds inside them are ripe, the pumpkin plant dies.

Are Decorative pumpkins poisonous?

The simplest answer to whether or not you can eat gourds is technically yes; decorative gourds aren't poisonous or toxic.

What can you do with ornamental pumpkins?

What To Do With Pumpkins After Using Them As Seasonal Decor

1. Eat them. You can eat the pulp, seeds, and (sometimes) even the skin of pumpkins!
2. Give them to animals to eat. Many of our favorite wildlife centers will accept pumpkins to feed to our furry friends. ...
3. Compost them. ...
4. Go to a squash smash. ...
5. All of the above.