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Morris, Illinois, USA

Well, i had a bug up my a** this year and wanted to grow my own pumpkins for Halloween so i bought some Big Max seeds from the store and planted them. At the time i didnt know anything about growing pumpkins at all. Since then i discovered this website and have learned alot. I wish I had found it sooner. I guess im not doing bad I have just let the plant do what it wants most of the season and with my trusty bathroom scale, my biggest is at 143 pounds. Im pretty sure its still growing at least a little but im not sure when i should harvest for halloween. Any help would be great. BTW next year i will try my hand at an AG. I had no idea growing pumpkins was this fun and addicting. JIM

8/30/2009 8:12:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Glad you had fun learning.

There is no rush to harvest for Halloween unless the fruit are in danger of vandals or rotting.

Howden can be picked green or left to turn. What color are they now?

8/30/2009 9:07:01 PM

Morris, Illinois, USA

My biggun is very orange and has been for a month now, i have several others that are smaller and still green. My main reason for asking is that the stems are still very green and seem quite healthy. Ive been growing watermelons for years and i know when they are ripe the stems turn brown and woody, not sure if pumpkins do this or not. I cant wait till the weigh offs at Dieder Farms in October, hope to meet som local people whos brains i can pick . LOL

8/30/2009 9:16:48 PM

Reed Point Montana

try and leave it on the plant for as long as possible or untill the plants have frosted. a light frost will help harden it up and it will keep longer if you want to save it for halloween although big max pumpkins dont save very good and arnt the best for carving. howden is a good variety to grow for carving pumpkins and they store alot longer and are better for making pies with.

8/31/2009 12:18:35 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Big Max often have a very thick shoulder and thinner bottom. I cut the bottom to clean out and carve, just pretend you're cutting the top instead, and IF you're using a candle, make sure it sets okay on top of the bottom access hatch. I find it safer too, light candle then set the carved carcass on top than reach in to light and try to put lid on. Do cut a hole by the stem though for candle venting if you use one. (a long shaft masonry drill bit does a short job of that and isn't hard to clean off after)

8/31/2009 12:58:38 AM

Pataskala,OH

143 is huge for a Big Maxx.

9/2/2009 3:49:56 PM

Morris, Illinois, USA

Is 143 really that big? its not alot bigger than the other 4 i have growing, but like i said before, i really dont know alot about pumpkins "YET" Its an addiction, and i cant wait till next spring . thanx for all the advice everyone

9/3/2009 2:21:14 PM

Ct

143 is great for a big max indeed!

9/8/2009 10:57:08 AM