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Kenyon, Mn.

Ok, anyone with knowledge, please advise. Saturday is the weigh off here, Have the trailor, the forklift, and pallets, have friends from work coming to get the pumpkins On the pallets, BUT, sometimes when You have a woman, and you are a soft-hearted old man like me,,,You BEND your plan a little, so my problem is: My Fiance's school class, wants to SEE the pumpkins,,,On Friday-NOON, how much weight,if any, will I lose if I cut them friday around 11 a.m. and the weigh off at 10 a.m. Saturday, And if there will be any loss, is there anyway to lessen the potential, like maybe keeping them cool as possible till saturday? Thank You In advance

9/22/2004 7:51:28 PM

Western Pa.

Leave the vines a few feet long on both sides of the stem. Put each one into a gallon jug of water and fasten with duct tape. If you're traveling a distance, a tarp or something like wilt pruf will lessen surface moisture loss. I can't conceivably seeing you lose anymore than 5# over that period, (unless it splits open!) I believe typical is 5-20# per week. (Fiance's are nice, but don't get married!) I feel like Dr. Phil!

9/22/2004 8:01:30 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

I lost 6.5 pounds in 36 hours last year. During that time the pumpkin traveled 1100 miles in the back of a pickup uncovered with no special treament of the vines. Unless you've got a canidate for 1st place I wouldn't worry about the weight loss. Trying to explain all the jugs of water on the vine ends to a bunch of kids will be more work then a few pounds is worth.

9/22/2004 10:40:46 PM

Choctaw, OK

Well, last year Joe Ailts had his 1056 fruit wrapped in plastic, like shrink wrap or the stuff you use to cover stuff in the fridge. I would think that kept the mositure in. Best thing to do is keep the fruit cool and have damp cool towels on it to keep the moisture in plus the jugs on the vine. that should provide for minimal weight loss.

case

9/22/2004 11:02:44 PM

Sequim, WA

Field Trip!!!

9/23/2004 12:18:22 AM

Wichita, KS

what about NEXT Friday?

9/23/2004 1:14:19 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

Thanks again everyone...Yeah I had a couple groups here in the years past,,,Field trip style, Had the lil darlins running amuck! It was ok, but then, I had eneough Jack-o-lantern type pumpkins for them all to take one home, would have to have them compete in some way for the few I have this year, Hmmm, must of spent too much time concentrating on the Ag's...imagine that!

9/23/2004 6:15:37 AM

Rapid City, SD

Why don't you take it to show them after the weigh-off? Then you will have "prize show and tell".

9/23/2004 12:10:09 PM