Troubleshooting
Pumpkin problems — and how to fix them
Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery mildew
Late-summer fungal disease; choose resistant varieties and water at soil level.
Blossom-end rot
Inconsistent watering, not calcium deficiency.
Squash vine borers
Larvae tunnel inside stems; rotate site and use row cover until flowering.
No fruit set
Poor pollination — hand-pollinate in the morning.
Small fruit
Overcrowding or under-feeding; thin to one fruit per vine for size.
Prevent pumpkin problems before they start
Most pumpkin issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Pumpkin problems — FAQ
Why is my pumpkin powdery mildew?
Late-summer fungal disease; choose resistant varieties and water at soil level.
Why is my pumpkin blossom-end rot?
Inconsistent watering, not calcium deficiency.
Why is my pumpkin squash vine borers?
Larvae tunnel inside stems; rotate site and use row cover until flowering.
Why is my pumpkin no fruit set?
Poor pollination — hand-pollinate in the morning.
Why is my pumpkin small fruit?
Overcrowding or under-feeding; thin to one fruit per vine for size.