From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Berlin,mi.([email protected])

I wonder if anyone has ever tried this on a split pumkin. My uncle used to pump co2 inside of fuil oil tanks to remove the oxygen so he could weld them. I wonder if a doing this to a split pumpkin would slow down or stop the rotting that is associated with the cavity getting air inside. My 670 fruit split last night at 482 lbs and i sealed it up to see what i can get out of it. I can get a co2 tank today. Am i crazy? or maybe this might be worth a try.

8/18/2006 6:04:12 AM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Steve:
Yes, you are crazy.
But I'd like to know how it goes if you do it..so does that make me crazy, too? :)

I'm thinking that pumping out the oxygen will eliminate aerobic microbes, but not anaerobic. But it in theory it should at least delay the rotting process.

Sorry about the split...

8/18/2006 6:55:18 AM

SF Bay Area, California

Steve: Yes, yes you are crazy.... Breaking your seal to put the co2 in will potentially add more bad guys inside your pumpkin. Many do not need O2 to do their dirty work. The anaerobic ones seem to create the worst smells....

I'm sorry for your loss. My daughter's 670 is also looking like it's gonna split at a sag line/deep rib. Which kills me because it is one big and beautiful pumpkin.

If you caught the split early, it can last up to 3 weeks if you keep it sealed well...

8/18/2006 10:21:04 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I had one split last year(blossom end... into cavity). It split about mid Sept. I sealed it with cauking, and it stayed intact through Halloween. I think it could have stayed together for quite awhile more, but I cut it up. No good seeds inside though. I'm guessing that the later split ones with last longer, due to cooler temps.

8/18/2006 4:06:04 PM

Mn

you could put helium or argon in the pumpkin they are nuetral gases and would help with preventing rot.

All though the helium may make your pumpkin go light, or worse yet when you cut the vine it could float away.LOL

Now if you put a gas like xeon in the pumpkin it might make it go heavy

8/20/2006 10:14:36 PM