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Lexington, Ky

I have several 90 day old Big Max pumpkins that are very orange. Think I can get by with yanking them 30 days early or should they sit?

8/24/2012 8:57:06 AM

Princeton Kentucky

I leave mine on the vines as long as I can but depending what your wanting to do with them. If the vines are healthy I leave them on for wheight gain if the vines are dying I get them off so the kins don't lose weight with the dying vine. Field pumpkins will last quite a while out of the hot sun and get them off the dirt if you can. Some one else may have better advice on here. Check out Pumpkin Nook.com, they delve into Field Pumpkin Info pretty deep.

8/24/2012 9:54:37 AM

Corryton, TN

I havent' figured a way to keep them from now till near halloween with the heat. I've tried pulling and puting them in the shade. The handles dry up and break off, even separate from the kin. Stored some in crates. Many collapsed. Left them in the field where they soon sunburned and collapsed. Disease and insects also took over which presented problems for multiple YEARS. Thinking back many of the handles would detach after the vine had died in the field.

As a side note, many had Black Widow spiders adound the stem area. This was an anual situation whether we harvested early or late. Probably just location related but keep your eyes open if they're in your area.

8/24/2012 10:16:52 AM

Lexington, Ky

Thanks Joesph. Dave, I had one of those big nastys under an AG a couple years ago......I still shiver thinking about that!

8/24/2012 12:55:09 PM

Westford, MA

Wipe them down with an anti-desicant, like "Wilt-pruf", seals the pores on the fruit to slow the fruit from drying.

8/24/2012 1:01:55 PM

Princeton Kentucky

Just realized you were talking of "Big Max" (Maxima) not (Pepo) sorry for the field Pumpkin reference..but you got some good input from others and it would be about the same guide lines lol. so very good

8/24/2012 9:31:22 PM

Lexington, Ky

Thanks Joseph, I think your advice is good for either variety.

8/25/2012 10:22:16 AM