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Vancouver Washington

I have at two part question. I have some Big Max pumpkins that are completely finished. Dark orange and no longer growing with tough thick skins. How long can i leave them on the vines? The plants are still healthy. Should I cutthem off and store them in the garage until the end of October or leave them on the plant?

Second question... My leaves are getting really ratty on my Atlantics. I have two plants. Both fruits are still grwoing about 10 or 15 pounds a day, but i fear the leaves will not last all the way into Oct. My club weigh off is the 7th of Oct. If the leaves get real bad and the fruit stops growing, should i leave it on the vine? Or should try to take it inside and just wait for he wiegh off... How long can the fruit survive on very little leaf support?

9/3/2006 1:48:23 AM

Nikiski, Alaska 99635

Provided your stem and blossum end are in good shape with no other problems, I would opt to leave your pumpkins on the vine. Once your pumpkin has stopped growing, provide total shade at the same time allowing for plenty of air flow to keep pumpkin cool and dry. If for some reason your not able to provide shelter to keep pumpkins cool and dry, it would probably be preferable to take them to the garage or the coolest driest place you can find, rather than have them sit in the rain or be baked by the sun. And it goes without saying, if a hard freeze is in the forecast, cover very good or bring them in. The weather may end up making the decision for you in the end.

9/3/2006 3:28:41 AM

Midwest

newway2go, I have a plant like that too. Once again, I'm my plants worst enemy... applying a phyto-toxic combination of foliar ferts. It's hard to look at the brown dying leaves. J.D. thanks for the suggestion. I have thought about ending the plant's life and getting on with soil preparation. But, newway2go, that fruit is growing several lbs a day with a potential 100+ lbs this month? Regardless of appearance, some leaves must still be producing the food for growing!

9/4/2006 1:22:22 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Last I had a plant that was estimated at 800# in late Aug. It only had about 20 decent leaves left on it. The others were torn off by the high winds or burnt by the extreme heat of last summer. Anyway, I kept it going & watered it regularly & it finished off at 1011#. If the pumpkin is healthy, keep it on the vine. If you cut it off now it will start to lose weight. Good luck.

Phil

9/4/2006 7:58:27 AM