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Tx

well I have only 3 jacks left, started w 5, but thats ok, I really want to save those jacks, cause as u will remember I am trying to save them for my grandson and he is coming to visit us on sept. 8th. and he is excited to see his jack o lanterns. he's gonna be 6. well it's been pretty hot here in tx and the plant is going FAST!!! I have been spraying for powdery mildew and feeding the plant also. but I can't stay ahead of the PM. everday I go out and cut off more new leaves covered w the stuff. the jacks seem to be doing ok, they have kinda slowed down the growing. my question is when do I cut the jacks from the plant,seems the pm has pretty much taken over and if I was to go out and cut every leaf w pm off now there would be nothing left! I need to save those jacks for my grandson-- one tired grandma here.

8/14/2007 6:42:42 PM

Cincinnati,OH

I would keep them on the vine until all the leaves are dead. Then store them in a cool dry place. If the pumpkins are mature you can harvest them now they will keep a month easy.

8/14/2007 7:04:25 PM

Tx

how do I know if they are mature???????

8/14/2007 7:23:46 PM

Farmerville, Louisiana

i cut a pumpkin on june 23 put it on the porch and its still good turned a darker orange but not in a cool place been over a hundred 5 days in a row but has been kept dry if it gets wet turn it so it will dry mosture = rot

8/14/2007 7:50:57 PM

So... when you cut off the leaves, you're probably whooshing the powdery mildew into the air from the movement of the leaves... spreading it even more! I would leave the leaves on the plant. As long as they're green, they're contributing to the plant and pumpkin health.

8/14/2007 9:23:38 PM

Tx

still no answer----- how do you know when to cut your pumpkin from the vine???????????

8/15/2007 2:18:16 AM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

you can cut it when you want, if it is orange cut it, store in a cool place. pumpkins can last over 6 months if kept in tact

take a string, wrap it around the pumpkin mark how big it is, check again in a couple of days, if no growth it is mature

8/15/2007 9:10:23 PM

Tx

thank you.

8/16/2007 1:18:56 AM