There are good reasons to grow pumpkins indoors. First and foremost, the chances of a great harvest increase thanks to the growth advantage. This is how you grow vital young plants from the seeds yourself.

The ideal time window for cultivation opens in April

Schedule a date for sowing in mid-April. If everything goes smoothly, the seedlings will be ripe exactly 4 weeks later for planting in the bed and on the balcony. From mid-May there is no longer a threat of ground frosts that damage pumpkin plants.

Sensible preparation improves the mood for germination

By nature, seeds that thrive in a fruit are sprout-inhibited. With the help of a targeted pre-treatment, you activate the seed and put it in the best mood for germination.

  • roughen hard-shelled seeds with a file or sandpaper
  • then soak in lukewarm water for 24 hours
  • begin sowing without further delay

If you are striving to grow a particularly robust variety or species, we recommend the following pre-treatment: You can buy 3 percent potassium nitrate in the pharmacy. Soak stubborn seeds in it for 12 hours at room temperature.

Proper pumpkin seeding step-by-step

Once the pre-treatment is complete, start the actual sowing:

  • Fill small growing pots (€16.68) with nutrient-poor seed soil, peat sand or coconut fibers
  • Plant a seed approx. 1-2 cm deep
  • Moisten with lukewarm water from the spray bottle
  • cover each pot with foil or glass

You can achieve the shortest germination time in a partially shaded location at 25 degrees Celsius. After just 1 week, the seeds are alive and the cotyledons sprout. Now place the pots a little brighter and cooler at 18 degrees Celsius.

In the next 4 weeks you can admire the rapid growth of the seedlings. During this time keep the substrate well moist. A cover is no longer necessary at this stage. Cultivation is complete at the beginning of the planting season.

tips and tricks

Rarely do you grow the desired variety from seeds that you harvest yourself. The majority of all squash plants in cultivation are hybrids. In this case, breeding is more like botanical roulette, because nobody knows which attributes of parents and grandparents will prevail. Therefore, only use certified seeds from specialist retailers.

Category:

Vegetable garden