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Durham, NC

Hey folks. My pumpkin is still est 629 lbs and hasn't grown in a few days. Also, the pumpkin is starting to show a slight green tent in some places.

My questions are, should I go ahead and cut it from the vine? Does this mean that it is ripening? I'm just concerned about how long it will last once I cut it. The weigh-off is in 13 more days and the State Fair is in a month. How long do giant pumpkins last? I'll be storing it in a cool garage between the weigh-off and the State Fair. Thanks for any suggestions.

9/14/2009 12:07:32 PM

[email protected]

Leave it on the vine unless there is a serious threat to it's safety. It is probably still gaining weight.

Shelf life varies considerably. If you've been using calcium it could last quite a while.

9/14/2009 1:08:54 PM

Durham, NC

I have not used calcium this year unfortunately.

9/14/2009 1:24:18 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

How long is a "few days"? Make sure you're measuring in the same place each time. You can mark the measuring spots with a small piece of tape. It could be a discrepency in measuring. It also could have quite growing. How old is the pumpkin? The cool garage sounds like a good and convenient storage area.

9/14/2009 1:39:33 PM

Durham, NC

I always measure the same way. I'm pretty sure it has quit growing. I just need to know if I should keep in on the vine or go ahead and cut it. Which is best for the health of the pumpkin? Will cutting it slow down the "greening" process or will it just continue at the same rate if it stays on the vine? So many questions!

9/14/2009 2:51:20 PM

One thing for sure, when you cut the fruit it starts the deterioration process. I've had some fruit last 3 weeks off the vine in the sun, others that went down in a week (probably had something going unknown b4 harvest) others have lasted several weeks in a shaded cool area.

Double, triple check the tape and I'm sure you have done a very close inspection of the whole fruit. Anything other than the "greening" might suggest a problem. I see fruit that change color during late season every year.

I would try and keep it on the vine as long as possible, this is a tough call and hard advice if something happens at this late date.

Best of luck you've done a heck of a job this year. I read the article, it sounds like a great "group" project that you all have enjoyed.

9/14/2009 7:31:24 PM

Upstate S.C.

NDN, I am so glad your pumpkin made it. I have a 400 pounder still on the vine and it hasn't been growing for a month. To my understanding the longer you leave them on the vine the better. The moment you cut them you lose water and weight. Keep it on there until the day before the weigh off and hopefully I'll see ya there. Who knows you might get a pound or two more out of it. Congrats Trooper

9/14/2009 11:33:32 PM

Durham, NC

Apparently with yesterday's heat, the skin has started to split a little more in places.

I'm torn because I don't know if I should cut it now or wait.
My thought process is that if I cut it now it will not continue to split. However, it won't have a chance to heal itself over either. On the other hand, if I keep in on the vine, it might continue to grow a little and the skin could continue to split.

It has done this before and healed itself like a scar. I don't know if this is the end or not. I've added lots of Captan to it.

9/16/2009 10:01:10 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

If the skin surface is cracking, I'm guessing it's growing. If these cracks are only surface cracks, with no danger of going into the cavity of the pumpkin, I'd say leave it on the vine if you want more pounds at the weighoff. If you're not sure if the cracks are dangerous, you could post a pic of them in your diary for us to check out. Good luck!

9/16/2009 1:01:16 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I just saw the new pic in your diary. If I was to guess, I'd guess the pumpkin will be O.K. on the vine, as long as those splits are shallow. But don't trust my judgement, hopefully others with chime in.

9/16/2009 1:11:17 PM