Jul 2, 2026 - News
An update on Hope
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Linh here. I'm growing a giant pumpkin named Hope, with the goal of showing it at the Iowa State Fair this year.
Driving the news: At long last, we have some female flowers.
Context: Female pumpkin flowers are fickle, but they're where the actual pumpkin grows from after they're pollinated.
- They open only once and for a few short hours in the morning. They're hand-pollinated to make sure the job gets done.
- Meanwhile, male flowers are a dime a dozen on a pumpkin plant. Their petals are peeled off and their pollen is rubbed onto the female flower.
The bottom vine: I'm hoping they open soon or else I'm going to be staring at my backyard this weekend instead of a mojito at a lake house.
Countdown: 42 days until judgment day.
