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Delaware, Ohio

Our County fair is in Mid September and I need to riping the pumpkin. When do I take the tarp off?

8/10/2006 8:16:00 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Sun won't impact color as much as genetics does. When it's ready it'll turn.

That said, if the fruit isn't turning within 2 weeks of the event & you really want color more than weight, then pull the tarp.

Another trick (that could get you DQ'ed at a weigh-off) is to rub the fruit with Olive Oil a day before the event. This always brings up some kind of color.

8/10/2006 10:43:54 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

I know this probably isn't a viable answer, but when you cut it off the vine, as I have culled a few, the start turning orange in a couple of weeks, this is assuming you have an orange pumpkin

8/11/2006 6:46:23 PM

Delaware, Ohio

Here is my problem...I bought my seeds at the Circleville pumpkin show in Ohio and did not save my envelope with the seed name. I'm such a newbie and started this whole new way of life on a whim....I don't know if it's suspose to be yellow or white or orange. Our county fair doesn't ask for breed and does not do a weigh off. They only want best quality, and largest by measurement. HE is starting to turn orange in some places, so I think HE will be orange and I have yellow vines. I've heard that yellow vines means an orange pumpkin...Is that correct. It has been hot here...today was cooler in the low 80's Tonight it's in the low 70's. HE needs to be in place at the Fair on the 15th of Sepember. OTT 234 this morning, slow growing, about 10 to 12 pounds a day. From what I've been reading, everyone is have slow or low growth. We had really bad SVB and I had to cull a lot of the leaves and vines past HIM. The main has not be infected so far. Thank you for your advise, I will see what happens in the next couple of weeks as far as color and then take the tarp off two weeks before the fair. Great site and so many helpful people.
~CityGirl

8/12/2006 1:17:37 AM

Long Island,New York

Awesome....the world's first male pumpkin. Cool.

8/12/2006 10:22:42 AM

Delaware, Ohio

Anything that requires this much attention has got to be a HE!!
CityGirl

8/12/2006 11:25:57 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

Isnt that the truth citygirl lol only the pumpkin cant complain :) sorry G but your still sweet in my book :):)

8/13/2006 1:02:21 AM