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Ypsilanti, MI

Hello! I can’t seem to find this answer so I’m going to see if the experts can weigh in! First time grower, I knew this would be a big trial year. I’ve been geeking out on this site for the last year and used a seed from an 889lb howard dill winner I got at seed auction. My goal was not as much to get the biggest this year but to get a large, symmetrical, “pretty” orange pumpkin that I could display in the front yard for the trick or treaters. We live in a subdivision and I had ~ 25x 20 ft area with the pumpkin planted on a large mound with amended soil and the vine mostly on grass.

This year I had a lot of heartache. Lost 2 pumpkins earlier in the year (1 due to rot and 1 to a groundhog). I thought I was done for, but the vine still looked decent so when I had a female flower that pollinated on Aug 31st I said what the heck lets see if I can still get a pumpkin. Well it was growing great the first 3 weeks until the temps started dropping into the 40s and 50s at night (in Michigan). I’m at DAP 40 today with the pumpkin estimated ~ 105lbs (goal at this point to break 100lbs). Unfortunately we had a frost while I was gone this weekend and short of 3 leaves that were under the cover with the pumpkin, the whole vine is brown and wilted from the frost.

At this point the pumpkin is still yellow but has a hint of orange (maybe a very light orange but starting to turn). The outside is firm and so is the stem. The blossom end is still protruding quite a bit so unsure if I can stand it upright without that breaking off (not sure what to do about that). BUT my real questions are:

1) Is there a chance I can cut the pumpkin off and it will make it to halloween or continue to ripen if I cut it now ? Bonus if I can carve it

2) SHOULD I cut it off at this point (I think yes) or leave it on vine?

3) What to do with the blossom end?

Thanks! —Laura

10/10/2022 7:01:39 PM

Are you growing an AG?
If you are and that pumpkin is solid you can cut it off now and move it to the front yard. The odds of it turning real orange between now and Halloween is pretty slim.
I use sand to help hold the pumpkin up if it cannot stand up on its own.
Posting pictures in a diary with links to it always helps big time so people can see what is going on and maybe give better answers

10/11/2022 3:41:25 AM

Syracuse, NY

As soon as you cut it off it will begin to degrade no matter what, at any time of year, so, logic tells me to leave it on the plant and cover the fruit with a not-necessarily-thick blanket (I used mattress pads, King and Queen in years before - I cannot find them without cleaning my garage; Grrr, lol)
...a Twin would work for you (THIS year) and 'on by night and off by day' if possible. I suppose keep a third eye out for rodents because from what I've read, they will like you even more now.
Just wait to cut off until you can't anymore, as AGs seem to go really quickly especially when of this size once terminated;
Concerning the blossom stub/stump/stickie-outie, you can dig a hole at the display where it will be into the ground or a

weight-supporting donut

on Google if you wanna really protect that stubby-wubby, lol.
I did so just now but the link is so long that you can just look at the ones available at Home Depot once you Google the above term.
'Fernco 3-inch' was to be my example here;
At least you'll get an idea about it.
The hole in the ground should suffice, as you'd also have to maneuver the pumpkin to make use of the special donut-thing. Also, any ring around the rosie will leave an impression, I suppose, but
as of November 1st?
Forgetta 'bout it!

Good luck with it all and combine my tips with others' for the best results---eric g

10/11/2022 3:45:29 AM

Syracuse, NY

Man, I gotta type faster, lol, but it's all good!
Later---eg

10/11/2022 3:46:22 AM

Here is what I mean with the sand, taking into cosideration the shape of the blossom end along with using lie of the land.
If your pumpkin is very pointy consider digging a small hole for the point to rest in

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=322210

10/11/2022 3:48:42 AM

Here is a picture from VTJohn diary. The pumpkin on the left has been on the front yard since Sept. 18 and the one on the right since the 25th and that display is meant for more than a couple of weeks

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=335272

10/11/2022 4:10:58 AM