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Ohio

If there is a pumpkin that is done growing and the leaves are all dead with no signs of growth how could this help keep the pumpkin longer by keeping it on the vine? Or even if the leaves have some green in them and the pumpkin has been done growing for weeks whats the reason? I do believe in keeping it on the vine but just dont know the logic of why.
would it be the same as to leave a pumpkin on the vine after its done growing verses cuttting the pumpkin off the main but just leave the stem in a bucket of water?
Does the pumpkin still circulate water even if its done growing? Naw couldnt be could it?

Brooks

9/16/2006 12:16:30 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I don't know the answer Brooks, but theres still roots in the ground. Also, I pulled a whole plant out by the roots, and small pumpkins continued to grow on it. About ten days later, there were still females opening. Some of the leaves still looked healthy after ten days with no roots.

9/16/2006 1:12:57 PM

Ohio

Yea, I know what ya mean Doug, my 1354 Checkon has been done growing for about a week or so but the main and stump seem like they are getting bigger and bigger week by week. A person would think once the pumpkin quits growing the stem, at even half dried out that there would be no water absorbed. So if a pumpkin stops growing what would make the difference if it was left on or left off the vine, no water is getting to it anyway and if it was it would still be growing and gaining inches,right?

With the size of the main vine and stump on my 1354 Checkon Id think it would never stop feeding the pumpkin, lol. I think all my energy went to the stump and main instead of the pumpkin. Id think with a main and stump this big Id be gaining 60lbs a day and have a 2000lb pumpkin, lol, I'm half serious though, the main vine that feeds my 1354 Checkon pumpkin makes it look like a field pumpkin especially in pictures if i don't put a Pepsi can or something next to it for size comparison. WOW, That last part had absolutely nothing to do with what we are talking about. lol.

9/16/2006 3:50:30 PM

sevierville, Tn

even if not growing, its still alive and as long as its healthy(the fruit and vine), the plant will work to maintain its health. If its cut, even if in water, the decline to rot will start. Now if the patch conditions were bad, it may be better to remove to a better location, but thats the only reason i would cut it before i was ready.

9/16/2006 3:50:36 PM

Unknown

brooks

by keeping the pumpkin hooked up to the plant even after it has stopped growing helps maintain the statis quo.
the fruit will hold its present weight until picked.
our 500 wallace from 2003 sat hooked up to a shread of main and a few leaves for two months before picking.
pap

9/16/2006 6:43:48 PM

Linwood, NC

Well, if nothing else, we know who TUG us now for sure, and have a good idea who the others are.

9/16/2006 7:43:48 PM

Deer Park WA

Keep the fruit covered with a warm blankie and the water off of it, as long as its SOLID it will hold for a very long time.

9/16/2006 9:28:58 PM

SF Bay Area, California

pap is now impersonating the UnknownGrowers....

9/16/2006 10:50:26 PM

Beach Park, IL.

What if frost hits??

9/16/2006 11:56:04 PM

Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

Me is told: if you cut the pumpkin it will dehydrate about one lb per day.
Anough reason to keep it online. :-)

9/17/2006 3:25:59 AM

[email protected]

Leave it on Brooks. If losing weight @ 1 lb/day isn't reason enough, consider too that the "rot rate" goes up after harvest. Somehow the fruit just knows (hormonal or gaseous triggers?) it has been harvested & the final step is to return seeds to the earth. Just try to keep decaying vegetation away from the pumpkin.

9/17/2006 9:49:51 AM

Unknown

brooks

you could cut it up and put it in your fridge. that way it will stay preserved longer lol

9/17/2006 11:35:33 AM

Deer Park WA

lamo @ tug!

9/17/2006 5:45:01 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Brooks ship it to Colorado, its too warmr in the refrig.

9/18/2006 4:08:39 PM