From

Location

Message

Date Posted

When growing a pumpkin, how do you know for sure when to remove it from the vine??? It seems this could be tricky if you have a weigh off 3 weeks away...but if you leave the pumpkin on the vine it may blow up...or do you try to slow it's growth and just hope for the best??

Are there any outward signs when it is *time*??

10/28/2002 11:21:10 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Hi Michele - most growers harvest their pkins a day or two before the weigh-off.

Most use a safty valve technique. They leave an addt'l pumpkin on the vine just in case there are any spikes in the growth.

A spike could be caused by over fertilization, or a heavy rain etc.
Good question.

Cheers.

10/28/2002 8:11:15 PM

Caceres, Spain

Hi Michele. In my opinion the Ceis idea is wise. Other thing to do: Stop fertirrigation and irrigate softly but often, in order to prevent a lot of water came suddenly into the plant and fruit in case of strong rain, the first day the measuring tape don't show new increases,

10/29/2002 1:10:37 AM

Frankfurt, Germany

The german pumpkin winner that was weighted at 298,6 Kg, was on the "european" weigh off 7 days later (and made it second), and lost in the meantime 5 Kg. (11lbs) you know, a pumpkin consists mostly out of water, wich will evaporate if it has a "hole" through wich it can leave.

10/29/2002 4:34:10 AM

Udine, Italy

Hi Michele,
I collected a pumpkin the 9th of September and the weigh was 213, I weigh it once a week and after 1 mont it lost 10lbs (about 5%). The maximum loss of weig was on the first two weeks (7lbs).

10/30/2002 1:44:40 AM