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Bay Area, California

Hi, this is my first year growing pumpkins and I don't know a lot. For example I didn't learn until now that it's best to shade them. I planted my seeds in pots in May, they went into the ground in June, by mid July I had baby pumpkins and they ones that made it went through rapid growth for about 3 weeks. Mid August they slowed or stopped growing and went from lemon yellow to a deep orange. They have been deep orange for 3 weeks and most of the leaves on the vines have died back. Should I pick them now and cure them and store, or leave them attached until October?. Your Help is appreciated, will shade next year.
Thanks, Goblin

9/6/2003 4:02:44 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Hi there. I would leave them on the vine as long as possible as long as the fruit is raised up off the ground and not in a threat to rot.

9/6/2003 4:13:05 PM

Nova Scotia

if your not putting them in a competetions pick them.

9/6/2003 4:40:57 PM

Oz

LOOK FOR LITTLE HOLES,,,BB SIZE
IF YOU SEE HOLES, PULL THEM AND GET THEM SOMEWHERE COLD!
BUT NOT FREEZING.
THIS SHOULD KILL ANY GRUBS INSIDE,,,SO IM TOLD...

MY AGs HAVE TEE PEEs ON THEM...SO FAR SO GOOD,,,,,
THE COVERS KEEP THE FLYING GRUB ADULT FROM LAYING EGGS.
"THE BORER" TOLD ME THEY ARE MELON GRUBS.
THEY WILL EAT THE INSIDES OUT OF A PUMPKIN!

9/6/2003 5:07:36 PM

Bay Area, California

Thank you all for replying but I quess from the variety of responses I'm no clearer on what I should do then ever.
I examimed my pumpkins for BB size pin holes, none.
As I said it's my first year growing pumpkins, I have only 3. They are by no means prize winning pumpkins, but 2 are certainly bigger than what you normally see in stores and i'm feeling proud about them. 1 I would say might be 150lbs the other around 100lbs, the third much smaller but nice round shape. They are my babies!

I've always been a gardener for many years, and my senses have been telling me, this week to pick them as they don't seem to be getting any larger for at least the last couple weeks.

I just don't know for certain but I don't want them to rot on the vine. Most of the leaves have browned and shriveled but there are still a few green ones.

The stems, connecting stalks, look good, no splits, are pretty sturdy,strong and tough, so what do I do? Any other opinions? It's not a life and death situation, but I'd like to know.

Further recommendation or explanations, would be very much appreciated for now and future reference.

Thanks, Goblin

9/6/2003 11:10:24 PM

Southern WI

I would keep them as long as you still have green leaves. My pumpkins have been on 'holding patterns' several times this season, just when I'm ready to finish up, they grow some more. I'm only a second year grower. GOOD LUCK !

9/7/2003 12:06:59 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Good advice Stormy.

9/7/2003 1:43:51 AM

porterville,california usa

goblin, i too, have 3 pumpkins about the same size and in similar conditions as yours. ALL leaves have been gone since the end of july. the vines on 2 plants deteriorated long before that so i picked both pumpkins august 1st. i rolled them into some tall grass (3' high) that`s under a shade tree nearby to keep them cool. i "borrowed" my grandsons inflatable pool toys to put under them.( like a small inner tube with a head of some sort on top-99 cents at wally world)this keeps it off the dirt. tonite i thumped both hard and they are still as solid as when i picked them. the other pumpkin is still on the vine (what`s left of it) and it`s just as solid as the two picked ones. i can`t offer any advice, but i hope this helps you somewhat. i`m going to leave one under the tree until it rots so i`ll have an answer next time this question comes up. lets get bigger next year!

9/7/2003 5:15:03 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

New to fruit, so my observations are like yours, the leaves are dwindling and my OTT measurements haven't changed but the pumpkin is still doing something...cantaloping amd ribbing are evident so I'm gonna leave it on and let it mature....not sure if this is good or not or if the ribbing and physical changes while not adding inches outside isn't adding more meat inside.

9/7/2003 6:34:49 AM

Oz

i am using potash..
ill measure today and see if its working.

keep them cool and screened if possible. and on the vine.
remove any rotted fruit from near good fruit.

9/7/2003 4:31:51 PM

porterville, calif.

I had 1 that i thought had quit growing but it is still going. I last measrured it on Aug 24th. I measured it today and it had gained about 65lbs. It is almost at 200. Going to carve this one. Im leaving it on the vine as long as the vine is still alive. I have another new 1 that is at 98lbs and is about 15 days old.Im leaving this one on till Halloween. My main 1 is still growing , and i might still make 400lbs... Greg

9/7/2003 7:11:41 PM

Syracuse, NY

yo--a thought....my first good one today (LOL)

in lieu of actually taking a measurement, and just to SEE easily if a fruit is still growing,
CAREFULLY
hand-pound a 1/2-inch sharpened dowel, like 2 feet long, into the ground about 1/4-1/2--inches away from the widest side-point of the fruit....in about 3 days or so you'll see that the gap has closed-up and it is still gaining....or not...... 'pal

9/8/2003 1:49:29 PM