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Lexington, Ky

An unfortunate accident yesterday severed a mature 150 pounder from its life support. She was putting on about 1 pound per day when the accident occurred.

What can I do to keep this one around for a while? By no means is she a large pumpkin but it's the best looking specimen I've ever grown and would like to give it away in September....if it is possible to keep one that long.

8/22/2005 2:10:21 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Keep it in a cool, dry place, out of the sun. Perhaps on a pallet or something that would allow some air circulation underneath.

8/22/2005 2:16:43 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

I've wondered about this before. I thought that it would be neat to be able to use a walk-in refrigerator from a restaurant or grocery store. Or, don't beef processing plants have huge refrigerated rooms? Maybe they'd be willing to keep a pumpkin in the corner.

8/22/2005 2:31:49 PM

Long Island,New York

Commercial growers have been getting better storage when fruits are bathed in a calcium bath before storage. Calcium is likely in every growers arsenal of chemicals...perhaps that would be worth looking into.

8/22/2005 2:34:25 PM

White Plains, NY

I kept a 200 lb plus in my basement from 8-l4 to Halloween. The basement was 68 degrees and dry (dehumidified). The pumpkin was in great shape.

8/22/2005 3:19:04 PM

hamilton,Ontario

i kept one on the vine which got its life upport sucked out for 1 1/2 months I guess the tap roots kept er going

8/22/2005 4:14:11 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

You will have no problems if the fruit is really ripe. I frequently keep 100 to 200 pounders in the basement (about 12 to 15°C, 65% humidity) until well into February. That's the time when I usually cut them open to get the seeds as long as they haven't germinated yet. If I keep them longer (into April or so) some seeds will germinate as the temperature in the basement rises...

8/22/2005 4:32:46 PM

Canada

Mr O

why do you keep them so long for?

Dave

8/22/2005 9:40:58 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

because I don't have the heart to cut them open and want to enjoy them as long as possible

8/23/2005 8:08:48 AM

Woburn, Ma

I also store pumpkins in my basement when it is necessary. The only other thing I do is wash them with a diluted solution of bleach first. Never had a problem with any of them.

8/23/2005 7:22:20 PM