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Virginia Beach, VA

I know it is early, but all the leaves on my plants have turned brown and the pumpkins have stopped growing. With all of the rain Virginia Beach has had, I'm scared that my giants will rot on the vine. I heard that by putting shoe polish on them, the moisture will stay in longer. Has anyone on this site done this? I'm open for suggestions
Thanks,
Amanda

8/15/2000 12:09:28 AM

Western Pa.

Hi Amanda!

What do you plan on doing with these pumpkins? If they have stopped growing altogether, they most likely won't start up again. If you want to try to keep them longer, put in a cool, dry place, like a basement. I have sprayed my pumpkins with lemon pledge and a product called wilt proof.These act as an antidessicant which keeps them from losing as much weight to the atmosphere. They can lose moisture through their skin,especially riding in the back of a pick-up. I do this the day before weigh-off, but do not think it would make the pumpkin last any longer!
kilr

8/15/2000 7:57:06 AM

Virginia Beach, VA

My eighteen giant pumpkins weigh about 150-350 lbs, so they are not record breaking weights, but they have perfect shape and color. I mostly want them to last till Halloween so I can carve them and show them off. We already harvested 12 smaller breed of pumpkin. They are stored in our cool garage. I hope they will last 2 months. I never had pumpkins ripen this early. Thanks for your idea.

8/15/2000 10:53:48 AM

Connecticut, USA

I have put early fruit in my basement in the past. They will last awhile HOWEVER if there is any sort of damage on the fruit don't do it. Have you smelled a rotten 350 pound pumpkin before? My wife has. She has a new rule for this season "No more pumpkins in the basement!" She and my son sing this to the "No more monkeys jumping on the bed" song. Halloween is a LONG way off. Beware. Your house might end up smelling until Thanksgiving!

8/16/2000 6:43:34 AM

Virginia Beach, VA

Thanks for the advice. Today we harvested the ripened giants and they all looked perfect except for one. We called it "Crusty the Magnificent" because it had some weird crust growing on it. Our neighbor really wanted one, so we gave it to her! I guess our problems are solved. I planted about three plants much later and they still have babies on them. So, I know that I'll have a few for Halloween.

8/17/2000 4:36:49 PM