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Mount Prospect,illinois

How do you know when to cut the pumpkin and store it till Halloween? One of my pumpkins has a soft part on the stem that looks like it is or what starting to rot. It appears to be dry. I put Captan on it. Is the stem supposed to be a certain color right now?

The pumpkin does not appear to have grown over the last 4 or five days. No OTT change.

thanks

Kyle P

8/26/2007 4:22:33 PM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

I'd like to know too, I have one that is turning soft and hasn't moved in about 3 days. Both sides of the stem are very soft and turning brown. Should it stay on the vine as late as possible or cut it now, it's well over 200 pounds.

8/26/2007 7:38:45 PM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

Kyle when did you put the captan on it? If it was recent, give it a day or two and see what happens. We've had some really extreme temps the last few days too so that may be a reason too.

8/26/2007 7:39:53 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

It has been a while since I put captan on it. I just put a bunch of captan on it today, first day of somewhat dry ground. Our extreme weather came in the form of about 10 inches of rain this month and the last three days without power in the Chciago area. Lots of people still don't have power back.

My pumkin is just about at 200 lbs. I would like to gain more, but I don't want to loose it either.

8/26/2007 7:47:34 PM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

Sorry to hear about all the extreme weather. I am at a loss as I am only a second year grower. Maybe someone else can provide some input. Loads of helpful folks out here.

If your weather is like ours, it may not hold til Halloween. I know mine lasted quite a while but not sure if it really warms up for an Indian Summer it may spoil before then. Keep it growing as long as it doesn't come off on it's own. I'm trying to keep mine going as long as possible. It grew very little today, but am hoping that it's due to the extreme temps we've had. We've had temps in the 60's and then up to the 90's again in a matter of a week.

Good luck.

8/26/2007 8:06:52 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Thanks. Good luck to you too. This is my first year growing pumpkins. I just need to know if there is anyone out there that knows when it is a good idea to take it off of the vine.

8/26/2007 8:42:48 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

Cut out all the soft stuff and rinse with a 10% bleach and water. A good scrubbing with a tooth brush may help. Put your paste on, or straight daconil. Run a small fan 24/7 on the stem. If the plant is still healthy, It will continue to grow.
Good luck

8/26/2007 9:46:07 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

leave it on the vine as long as possible...keep it dry and cool....

8/26/2007 9:46:25 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

if you can keep it cool indoors cut it, it can last a long time.

8/26/2007 10:01:09 PM

Toms River, NJ

JoAnnB Toms River, NJ Have one pumpkin or squash that has survived. How do I know if it is a true pumpkin? It was yellow in color for a long time. Is turning a dark gold/light orange. Lost others to white spots developing and rottening. Why? Cut at first frost - right??

9/2/2007 8:21:49 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Good question JoAnn. If you can wait till first frost I guess. My two do not seem to be growing anymore and I am worried about how long I should keep them on the vine. I have been spraying for PM, but I am still getting it. I am almost at the point of cutting my pumpkins just to make sure I have them for Halloween.

What did you mean "true" pumpkin?

Diamondlady, what happened / is happening to yours? Last you wrote one was over 200 and the stem was getting soft.

9/2/2007 9:16:38 PM

Westford, MA

I'm getting the white rot too.
I now still have 22 kins beachball size and up
on 5 plants.
I'm afraid to cull any as they seem to do it them selves
every 4-7 days I loose 1 with the white rot.
All the 1's I've lost were sitting on play sand on roof shingles. I noticed the sand was always still damp.
I had been covering them with cloth & not protecting them from wet. Pouring bleach solution once in a while.

I lost 2 oversize basketballs last weekend, & spent the weekend building tarp tents & clearing out the sand & replacing w/new dry shingles or plywood no sand.

Is the wet sand my white rot prob?
How do you keep them dry with just sheets?
Is there any treatment once the rot starts?

I did scrap a lot of the white off the 2 basketballs & coated w/Captan to see what would happen.

thanks Kevin

9/4/2007 10:05:59 AM