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California Bay Area

Last year I had a 500lb'er and it was white. dont get me wrong, first year growing and I was happy. So this year I got a good one growing and it is still a yellowish white cream color. I want Orange!!:) I planted in late may so I should be seeing some color by now. I have heard that rubbing olive oil will bring out some color. Should I do this later before picking or can I put some on it now? Will olive oil damage the pumpkin in any way? thanks, yomama

8/30/2005 6:51:27 PM

Southington Ohio

I would just leave it be.

8/30/2005 8:58:15 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

It can also bring out the green....I would give it a few more weeks before massaging olive oil in.

8/30/2005 9:00:30 PM

Cheshire Ma USA

Canola oil two weeks before the weigh off, heard it works great, never tried it though.

8/30/2005 9:42:46 PM

Montoursville, PA

An oil that is designed for feeding and spreading will more safely do the same thing. Oils that can not be broken down in water may cause general skin health problems. Yes the oils will bring out the colors but not specifically any color. Feeding oils will not make the fruit slippery unless over used. They will absorb into the fruit and wash off when you clean the fruit, for the weigh-off.

Waxing or oiling is not permitted. I would think due to inhanced dangers, to handlers, at the weigh-off.

8/30/2005 10:25:19 PM

Long Island,New York

many wieghoff will not allow a fruit that has been oiled.

8/30/2005 10:31:27 PM

Indiana

whats the rules for contest on this anyway? I cant see why its any different than Calcium spray, but hey thats just me...

8/31/2005 1:12:38 AM

San Diego

if you don't plan on going to a weigh off where it is banned, olive oil will bring out more color. But don't olive oil it until it's close to being done. After oiling it, give it full sun for a few days and you will see a big difference. I have used it and it works, just go easy on the oil, not too much. Jimmy

8/31/2005 1:14:36 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Wash them well before the weigh off.

8/31/2005 9:17:31 AM

Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Olive oil works great to bring out orange color. I've done it twice before. Don't think it will change a yellow pumpkin to orange, but it will change light orange to darker orange. Better check rules if you plan to bring it to a weigh off.

8/31/2005 3:41:19 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

If it's going to be on display, such as at a fair, would it
make sense to oil it right after weighoff?

8/31/2005 5:46:26 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Seems to me that putting olive oil on your pumpkin is like putting water or wax on oxidized paint. They both enhance the color that is already there.
I put olive oil on a couple of my pumpkins a few days ago but I don't see any additional color beyond what it had on day 1 of oiling. (They sure are pretty!)
If oil actually causes the pumpkins color to increase beyond what it already has for color...I'm not sure.

8/31/2005 8:09:36 PM