[chopper]

hi all! i'm something of a newcomer to growing pumpkins,so i can't figure out why my plants are growing fruit up to 6" long but then begin to rot off!any advice would be welcomed.

[Yorkie]

Hi chopper,

Welcome to the forums!  Whereabouts are you gardening (we're a nosy bunch   )

I don't specifically know the answer to your pumpkin question as I've not grown them before, but on the basis that they are the same family as courgettes, you might find that you get some tips from this thread.

Good ventilation is always helpful too, as it will reduce the conditions in which a fungus may thrive.

[chopper]

hi yorkie, thanks for the advice. i live on outskirts of east leeds so the wet weather could be a factor! someone also told me to remove a few leaves around the fruit,have you heard this before?

[jannie]

hi and welcome

[FCG]

Hi chopper, welcome to the forums.

The best advice I've had about pumpkins and to stop the fruit rotting is to keep them off the floor on a semi dry surface. I currently have my miniature pumpkins resting on a bed of straw which in turn is on top of a upturned plastic plate. This may help you a lot with keeping them dry instead of damp, which allows rotting.

[compostqueen]

you always get some that rot off, same with courgettes. The upturned plate is a good idea to keep them off the damp ground (if you get one that looks promising that is)  

[chopper]

hi and thanks for the welcome. just lost another 2 fruits. looks like i'll be buying my daughter 1 from the shop!