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Hooper, NE

Hi all, first time posting.
This is my third year growing pumpkins. I grow a small patch on a 7 acre hobby farm. I grow mostly to supply a “fall festival” I throw each year for family and friends. Everyone come out and picks a pumpkin and goes for a hayrack ride. So far my patches have done well, barring minor problems with pests and environmental conditions.
My question is this, I always have pumpkins maturing at different times as I’m sure everyone does. I was just wondering if you folks have better luck cutting your early pumpkins off the vine and removing them from the patch, or just leaving them out there to avoid rotting. I’ve always had plenty of pumpkins, but hate seeing rotten ones out there and always wondered if it was inevitable, or if I had cut them and removed them they’d keep better out of the patch.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

9/17/2018 1:00:25 PM

Syracuse, NY

Hi, and welcome---My belief is that if the PLANT is alive, with even a few leaves that look like they are doing OK, the pumpkin(s) will be better off attached TO the plant(s); as soon as any fruit is removed from its vine, it begins to deteriorate, however slowly it may be. I have heard of my own 340-pounder i sold to a neighbor and he sold/gave it to the 'customer' and that HE then kept it in his living room for MONTHS and i just could not believe it. Guess that fruit knew it had it good (Stem down, don't ask questions!); Either weigh, i'd say keep them on any basically-healthy-looking plants. otherwise, plant no good, well, do the other---eg

9/17/2018 11:19:49 PM

Hooper, NE

Thanks for the reply. That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing,just didn’t know if there was a “trick” I’d been missing. I suppose it’s inevitable to have a couple get past their prime. Again, thank you for the reply!

9/19/2018 1:12:58 PM

Syracuse, NY

sure---i'm surprised no one else chimed in, though maybe i spoke the truth for the masses---not a common occurrence, lol---i DID see the same reply to another similar question, and my own plants are a few of them JUST hanging-on, practicing what i preach! and, good luck----eg

9/19/2018 10:48:56 PM