Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin - organic seeds

Pumpkin Jack O'Lantern

The Jack O'Lantern is a creeping and vigorous variety that produces orange pumpkins about 20 cm in diameter with a smooth skin. The thick flesh is light orange in color and of excellent quality. This pumpkin is often used for puree, soups, flan, jam, or as decoration. Hollowed out and lit with a candle, it is perfect for Halloween.

Growing Tips for Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin
Sowing
Sow pumpkin seeds indoors (20°C) in pots from March to April to speed up fruiting and reduce pest damage. After the last frost, around May 15, transplant outdoors at 1-meter spacing, or up to 2 meters for creeping varieties, in small holes filled with compost.

You can also sow directly in the ground in May, but the harvest will be later and less abundant.

Care
Pumpkins need not only a sunny location but also soil rich in organic material. They require regular and abundant watering, especially during dry spells.

Pruning is optional but not necessary.

Harvesting
Harvest pumpkins at the end of the season when the leaves wilt and the stem is dry. For better storage, harvest as late as possible (but before the first frost). After harvesting, leave pumpkins outside for a day in the sun (protected from rain and frost) to dry the skin. Store them in a dry, well-ventilated area indoors.

Tips and Tricks from Semailles
Pumpkin seeds need warmth (20-22°C) to germinate and dislike excess moisture, as this can cause rot. Sometimes, a healthy blooming plant may fail to produce fruit, which could be due to a lack of pollination or female flowers. This could be caused by insufficient pollinators or extreme heat affecting the production of female flowers. Protect your pumpkin plants during hot weather by mulching or providing shade.