Germination Before attempting to germinate seeds they should be filed on the outside edges to allow for easier water absorption, and help the roots and leaves emerge from the hard shell.
Germination usually takes about 3 to 7 days if the soil surface temperature is around 80* F.
This is not a requirement, but it is a rule of thumb. Once the seed germinates the root will begin to head downward at a very fast pace.
Seeds started indoors should be planted in a 4” peat pot or larger similar type of pot with a hole on the bottom for drainage.
A larger pot is better as the roots will have more room to spread. A plant in a 1-gallon pot will not have to transplanted in the near future.
I recommend buying a high quality seed starting medium with equal parts peat moss, vermiculite and perilite, purchased at your local nursery store.
Do not waste your time buying the cheap stuff. Do it correctly and "buy a quality product" such as Promix.
This three-part mix will help you to control the right mixture of oxygen and water that giant pumpkin plants roots require.
The experts say not the let the pumpkin roots become bounded within the pot. Pumpkin roots grow very fast, plan to get the plant hardened off and in the ground shortly after the first true leaf appears.
If you plant your seeds directly outside after last frost mound the soil in a hill about 5’ in diameter 6” to 12 “ high and place the filed seed pointed edge down and cover with about an inch of soil.
Remember pumpkins like direct sunlight and this giant will require 500 square feet or more to be able to produce a pumpkin in excess of 500 pounds or more.
Space and growing area is one of the biggest factors in helping the plant and pumpkin grow to a very large size.