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Manitoba

Can a giant pumpkin actually decrease in size within 2 days after cutting it from the vine? I measured and remeasured, but that is what appears to have happened to my poor pumpkin.

Anyway, the weights of my two first-year efforts are 256 lb. & 176 lb.

Oh, well. The good thing is they are both so healthy looking. Never any problem in that regard. I'm keeping the larger one in the garden to admire all winter long from the living room window.

10/11/2015 2:54:47 AM

Central Illinois

Yes they will lose weight I think up to 3 pounds a day,but not all do that much,but if you moved it the surface your starting and stopping your tape from may be at a different level than before causing a "false" reading

10/11/2015 9:04:15 AM

Manitoba

Thanks for your info, baitman. I appreciate your taking the trouble to reply. I haven't moved my larger fruit, but have plans for the little one. 3 people should somehow be able to move a 176-pounder, I think. Maybe if we just kind of tumble it along to the front yard where I want it.

10/11/2015 12:51:36 PM

East Jordan, MI

if its shrinking it may be collapsing, is the CC getting bigger but the ss and ee getting smaller? that is a sure sign of internal rotting

As for moving it.
For anything under 500 lbs, you can roll it up on its side, slide a bedsheet, blanket, tarp, etc under it, then roll it back the other way to pull the item on through. Then up to 6 people grab hold of the item and pick it up and move it where every you want. Roll it up shove item back under it, then roll other way to remove.

10/11/2015 7:28:33 PM

Manitoba

Hi, cntryboy. Tks for advice on moving the pumpkins! I'm moving only the little one, though, the 176 pounder.

About shrinkage: all 3 measurements have reduced slightly, i.e., about 1 inch or so. So, no rotting yet; they've only been cut from the vine a week ago.

I love your wonderful photos of your winner. What a gorgeous fruit. All that work paid off!

I hope there's a freezeup soon, so that my darlings can retain their lovely shape.

10/12/2015 3:03:51 AM