Topic: Ripening pumpkins

[janebb]

I have two pumpkins which are only just beginning to ripen.  They are mainly green with only a few specks of orange.  Trouble is, I have two little boys who want to make pumpkin lanterns for Halloween.  The way things are going my pumpkins are going to be ready in January!

Has anyone any ideas how I might speed up the ripening?

[Stevens706]

Hi
The advice I was given was to remove the pumpkin (only one grew) from its plant and store in a warm light place ie bedroom window sill / greenhouse. I did this 2 weeks ago and it does seem to be colouring up a little.

[Susiebelle]

Your not on your own Janebb I read somewhere that farmers are actually dying pumpkins orange in time for the Halloween demand - no idea how you dye a pumpkin though. :-\ My butternut quash (only got two of a reasonable size) are looking just as pasty - good luck.

[cornykev]

My mate reckons that he heard that farmers were putting them under heat lamps with the demands for orange pumpkins this year.  ??? :-\   ?     ;D ;D ;D