CARPELL: It’s still a pumpkin, even though it’s not supposed to be. It has to do with sex, though. The pumpkin plant has both male and female flowers. The male flower is tall and has yellow pollen inside it, while the female flower has a little bump on top of it. The female flower thought it had been pollinated, so it started to grow, but it hadn’t been pollinated at all, so she said, “Oh heck.” So thats as far as it got and then it ripens and falls off. First, make sure that the plan has both male and female flowers. If it only has one, which can happen in the summer, there’s nothing you can do to get the other ones to come. So, look at the male flower, cut it off if you see one, take it to a female flower, and dust the pollen into the middle. Do this for a few days, and blow me down, you’ll get real pumpkins.
I have a beautiful Sir Walter Buffalo lawn, but I have a lot of weeds on it. Is there a way to get rid of them without hurting the lawn?
JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS: Ok. Well what youve got, in this hand here, is a native Euphorbia. Its Euphorbia drummondii. It is hard to get rid of because the leaves are flat, very gray, and very waxy. And Creeping Oxalis which is everywhere.
JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS: Everybody has a problem with it. The first thing is a quick fix. Equal parts white vinegar and water can be mixed together. Add one drop of dish soap to a full watering can, and then spray them with water. This will kill them. But to get a lasting result, these are telling you something about your lawn. They’re telling me that your lawn is acidic, so you need to add lime, that you cut it too low, so you should cut it as high as possible, and that these weeds do best when they don’t have enough food, so once a season, put down a handful of chicken manure and blood and bone per square meter of grass. Your grass will be so thick and green that it will beat out these weeds and you won’t have a problem.
As a popular fall crop, pumpkins hold an iconic place in backyard gardens. But their iconic leaves can sometimes be mistaken for weeds by novice gardeners. To help avoid confusion, here’s an overview of common weeds that resemble pumpkin leaves so you can accurately identify what’s growing in your garden.
Key Characteristics of Pumpkin Leaves
- Large, triangular leaves up to 1 foot wide with 5-7 pointed lobes
- Alternate leaf arrangement on hairy, prickly stems
- Dark green color above and pale green below
- Coarse texture with shallow cracks
- Distinct pumpkin aroma when crushed
Weed Lookalikes to Watch For
Burdock
- Oval leaves with wavy, crinkled edges
- Woolly underside and reddish stems
- Taproot grows deep into soil
- Considered an invasive weed in many areas
Common Mallow
- Round, lobed leaves up to 4 inches wide
- Notched leaf tips with rounded teeth
- Hairy stems and leaves
- Shallow root system spreads by seeds
Prickly Lettuce
- Lance-shaped leaves extend up stalk
- Fuzzy, gray-green color with prickles on midrib
- Oozes white latex sap when broken
- Grows as a rosette and bolt-shaped flower stalk
Common Ragweed
- Deeply lobed leaves like oak leaves
- Branched, upright growth to 3 feet tall
- Leaf undersides densely hairy
- Notorious allergy-triggering pollen
Velvetleaf
- Large, heart-shaped, velvety leaves
- Pointed leaf tips with prominent veins
- Coarse hairs on stems and leaves
- Funnel-shaped yellow flowers
Wild Cucumber
- Sharply lobed leaves like maple leaves
- Look nearly identical to pumpkin early on
- Climbing vines with tendrils
- Produces prickly green fruit
Tips for Positive Identification
When an unknown plant appears in your pumpkin patch use these tips to correctly identify it
- Compare leaf shape, texture, arrangement and other details against known pumpkin leaves
- Crush a leaf and smell for the distinctive pumpkin scent
- Look for other identifying marks like flowers, fruits, sap, and growth habit
- Monitor the plant’s growth and note any changes over time
- Consult gardening references or experts to confirm ID if unsure
Catching pumpkin leaf lookalikes early allows you to remove them before they spread seeds or roots. With close observation and the right tools, you can keep your pumpkin patch weed-free and avoid having your pumpkins mistaken for weeds!
In 2 months, you could have your own pumpkin patch too Try it! #howtowithjessie
FAQ
What other plant looks like a pumpkin plant?
How do you identify pumpkin leaves?
What do pumpkin seedling leaves look like?
Are pumpkin plants spiky?
What leaves look like a pumpkin?
Zucchini – before flowering and producing fruit, zucchini leaves have a similar shape and color to those found on pumpkin plants. Watermelon – leaves look very similar to those on pumpkin plants. Their leaves are large and dark green, sprouting from long stems that creep on the ground. Cantaloupe – looks similar to pumpkin.
What are the best types of pumpkin seeds to buy?
The best pumpkin seeds to eat are hull-less, also known as pepitas. They are naked, they do not have any cream-colored hull covering them. They contain healthy fats, protein, and minerals. Always avoid salted pumpkin seeds.
What plants look like pumpkins?
Pumpkins is another vernacular term used in place of squash or winter squash and form part of the Cucurbita genus. Pumpkin leaves are large and green and sprout from long viny tendrils that creep across the ground. Several plants share characteristics that are similar to pumpkins. These plants include: Chinese Lantern – looks similar to a pumpkin.
What kind of squash looks like a pumpkin?
Pumpkin On A Stick – looks almost identical to pumpkin. Their shape, size, and color resemble immature pumpkins. Straightneck Squash – looks similar to pumpkin leaves and is almost indistinguishable when the squash hasn’t started forming yet. Surinam Cherry – has fruit that resembles tiny pumpkins. They are small and range from red to orange.
What fruit looks like a pumpkin?
Surinam Cherry – has fruit that resembles tiny pumpkins. They are small and range from red to orange. Zucchini – before flowering and producing fruit, zucchini leaves have a similar shape and color to those found on pumpkin plants. Watermelon – leaves look very similar to those on pumpkin plants.
Do pepitas in pumpkin seeds contain lead?
Pepitas in pumpkin seeds should not contain lead. If soil is contaminated, pumpkin seeds can have high levels of lead, becoming toxic for human consumption.