Elle Charlton in Leeds emailed us and said:
Hi, I have some pumpkins growing, and I live in an apartment with a balcony, I know they need planting in a big pot soon but how deep?I know some roots can grow pretty deep, so I'm wondering what size I should go for?
Also I've attached a photo :) This is day 9.
Ellie Charlton
Tam Battell Writes:
"Hi Ellie, your pumpkins look really healthy so this is good. It looks like your first true leaves have not yet begun to show on your pumpkins ( you probably know that these have more angles and are a spikey to touch) but they do look like they will be needing more space to grow soon. They will need plenty of light now so you are right to be thinking of putting them on the balcony.
Your pumpkins will need a large pot the largest pots that you can reasonably fit on your balcony really. It may be that you only grow 2 or 3 of your pumpkins to full size as a result. Pumpkins are hungry feeders so they will need a rich and fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. A good all round multi-purpose compost will be good, but because they will be in a container (and slightly stressed) as a result I recommend that you liquid feed your pumpkins once a week. Seaweed fertiliser is readily available at garden centres and will give your plants a teriffic boost.
Do not allow your pumpkins to dry out in their pots, when you water, don't water the leaves. Water the plant at the base of the stem.
I would recommmend that you train your pumpkins up some kind of strong support or alternatively you could allow them to trail out of the pot and down on to the ground. Pumkins tend to grow long runners with lots of leaves on.
If you need any more help during your pumpkin growing fun, just let me know."
