jaco17
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Is the Pumpkin Ready to Harvest?

Hey everyone! It is my first time growing pumpkins in South Florida and boy did I get lucky. I have pretty large pumpkin on the vine right now that measures 24 inches from stem to the bottom (half of the circumference). Its fairly orange (I have had it covered under a towel ever since it started to get big) and it was pollinated on 2/21), but I'm not sure if I should pick it yet. It resists my fingernail a little bit but I'm not sure if it sounds "hollow"

It is Burpee's Prizewinner Hybrid.

Does anyone have an idea of some other signs I should look for? Can I leave it on for too long?

Here are links to the images:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0im6 ... TlEd1pKdGM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0im6 ... Hl0M1p5ZWs
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0im6 ... HJWa1A1UzQ
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0im6 ... WwzQkdqTnc
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0im6 ... 25Uem9RQXc

Thanks everyone!!!

(I really want to make pumpkin pie!)

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digitS'
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Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:10 pm
Location: ID/WA! border

That first picture looks like it shows a mature pumpkin.

I just trust the green netting which goes away during the final days. But, most of my Jack o'Lantern pumpkins are destined for that use ... I will make pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread with some of them, however. They actually store quite well if they are mature.

Harvesting a pumpkin in March is almost beyond my comprehension. Maybe if I lived in the southern hemisphere and the autumn equinox came this month.

A person who can grow pumpkins at this time of year and/or someone who grows them for eating should respond!

Steve

jaco17
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Well my pumpkin didn't start off as green. When it was smaller it was like a pale yellow and slowly developed into a darker orange. Other input would be greatly appreciated!

Does anyone know if it is possible for me to leave the pumpkin on the plant for too long?

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jal_ut
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Location: Northern Utah Zone 5

Nice pumpkin. You could leave it on the vine for a while yet. I like to turn the pumpkins when they are small and sit them on the blossom end, and put something like a stack of newspapers under them, then they form nice and round and the bugs don't chew holes in the bottom. For me pumpkins are decorations. If I want something to eat I plant a Hubbard or Banana squash. Have fun!

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!potatoes!
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this pumpkin looks more maxima than pepo, probably closer to hubbards than most jack-o-lantern pumpkins! the stem looks like it could dry out more (not quite ripe). agreed that putting something under would help keep it intact.

jaco17
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Thank you everyone! I do have some flat metal bars underneath the pumpkin to keep it off the ground. But since this is my first time, I didn't want to manipulate the pumpkin, but I would definitely sit it on the blossom end. After what I have learned, I will leave it on the plant for a bit longer. Should I wait for the stem to tart turning brown??

jaco17
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I have reached the conclusion that it is maxima after looking at pictures of them online. When it was just a flower, the before-pollinated "pumpkin" was yellow, not green like pepo varieties.

imafan26
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Location: Hawaii, zone 12a 587 ft elev.

I got a pumpkin one year in June, but it took another two months to turn orange. I rotted before Halloween though. I never got one that big but my days are short so very few plants are "giants".

It is a nice pumpkin. I only know how to check the same way as a squash. You look under the pumpkin where it rests on the ground and see the pale spot will turn more yellow as it ripens and the vine attached to the pumpkin starts to shrivel up.

You must still get cold there. Pumpkins here rarely color up on the vine unless they are very old.

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applestar
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I generally use the thumbnail test. No marks / nail slides off the slick hard surface = rind is tough enough.



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