From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

As the orange of a pumpkin is produced by Carotene, which is a hydrocarbon, is there anything we can feed our pumpkins to enhance the orange? Anybody know?

6/7/2008 12:02:49 PM

Rapid City, SD

hmmmmmm.........food coloring............he he

6/7/2008 12:25:49 PM

Rhode Island

just a few weeks before picking if you wanted to you could wipr the outer surface dowm with a rag moistened with cooking oil.

will turn pumpkin skin deeper color of orange, also will turn green into a mustard color.
not advised for pumpkins that will be shown on seed packets because it would be false advertizment to the grower receiving the seeds

pap

6/7/2008 1:21:00 PM

Minnesota

I think alot of nitrogen makes your leafs really green (I think)

6/7/2008 1:40:30 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Paint? Great question though. I am often disappointed with the Yellowish color of AG's. This is a project for those who really like getting involved in Genetics.

6/7/2008 1:57:22 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Phil,
I'm thinking it's all, or mostly all, in the genetics of the seed. If you grow a buttercup squash, it ends up with green skin. If you grow a Howden pumpkin, it ends up with orange skin. I think it's the same with A.G.s, just the genetics expressing themselves.

6/7/2008 2:30:32 PM

Annapolis Valley Nova Scotia

Thanks for the replies, I was thinking along the lines of , if we looked at 10 diferent 998 plants they would all produce a slightly different colour and therefore in my thinking, the soil conditions will have an effect on colour. I realise Genetics will determine it mostly but maybe there is something we can do to our soil to get more orange? If you want more that is!

6/7/2008 2:34:28 PM

Frankfort Oh

Phil I grow alot of orange and the best advice I can give you is ,,keep pumpkin covered by the sun much as possible,,and the last two weeks before your weigh off ,,,let the sun hit it before and after high peeks of the sun,,this is what I do and it really brings out the color ,,,,hope this helps Rob

6/7/2008 4:35:31 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Phil,
I'm just guessing, regarding your 998 example....but my guess is that the varying color is from genetic variation in each 998 seed. Good question.

6/8/2008 1:21:50 AM