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Date Posted

South Dakota

My first long gourd has stopped growing at 68" with no new growth for 3-4 days. The State Fair is in two weeks. Do I leave it hanging for the next two weeks, or chop it now and let it dry out for a couple weeks? I have another already growing nicely. Thanks.

8/14/2022 7:42:14 PM

Colorado

If you leave it hanging the seeds will mature. However you take the chance on getting a black shriveled tip by leaving it hanging.Many of the competitive growers cut and store the gourd. They get condensation which pools in the tip and is what causes the rot.

8/14/2022 8:35:46 PM

Toledo Ohio

Since you have another going I would pick it and let the other one grow.

8/14/2022 8:46:41 PM

I. Falls, Minn

cojoe- How long do they have to hang after they stop growing for the seeds to mature?

8/15/2022 7:12:53 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

You can have viable seeds in as little as 4 weeks old. I leave mine hang til the weighoff. Never had a end rot by doing this. The witches noses seem to come on while the fruit is still growing. Not after they have stopped.

8/16/2022 11:14:52 PM

Merrimack NH

The only thing I would caution you on is if your expecting a lot of rain at anytime in the next week or so, you may want to consider removing it. Once they stop growing length wise, they can still get thicker and also split. Last year I had one around 135 inches, it had stopped growing for a few days, then we got a couple inches of rain one night and it basically split wide open. Check out my diary from last year. I agree with Jay, in my experience the sour tip happens while they are still growing, not after they stop.

8/17/2022 11:33:23 AM

Merrimack NH

A correction- looking back, the one I had last year was still growing very slowly when it blew up- but I have had others that had stopped gaining any length, yet still split.

8/17/2022 11:37:49 AM

Jericho Vermont

Barry cut back on the viagara! We typically harvest 2 or 3 days after growth stops. But that’s just from a paranoid grower.

8/17/2022 12:20:35 PM

Grittyville, WA

This answers my latest question. I can confirm that they should probably be removed when they stop growing unless the absolute best seed viability is the main goal. The long & winding road goes to Splitsville.

9/22/2022 3:28:38 PM