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Boyertown, PA, USA

I have been reading alot of valuable advice on this site and I was hoping someone could clue me in on a subject I can't find much information on. I have a "baby" pumpkin (found it softball sized on Aug. 10th) It's 64" cir. and the two mesurements OTT add up to 95". How do you know when to take it off the vine? How and what do you do? I have a shade over top and it's a pale color. I was told last night in a chat that soon it's time to take off the cover and let the sun start turning it orange. Can anyone tell me when to do that? Do you only uncover it for a certain amount of hours a day? I'm sorry this is loaded with so many questions but I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

9/5/2003 1:05:23 PM

Ypsilanti Michigan

Does your pumpkin have a shiny yellow coat on it? If it does, then it's still growing, I would let it grow some more. As far as taking it off the vine, I would leave it on as long as possible untill you need it. When it stops growing, start removing the tarp, cover it in the noon day if the sun is too hot or you'll have a sun burn on it. I had this happen to some of my fruit. (White spot burns) Ask all the question you want, I ask questions all the time on this site. This is a cool site!

9/5/2003 9:13:44 PM

Montoursville, PA

Leave it on the vine as long as you reasonably can. Cut it off leaving the stem and two inches of vine on both sides if you are going to weigh off. If not cut stem close to where it meets the vine. It will last about two months in front yard display if it is sound. Anytime after display period befor it begins to rot up you go in and get the seed out for cleaning and saving. Take your trimmer along to weigh off. Some one will help you trim the vine off properly.

9/11/2003 12:29:17 AM