Pumpkins and the patch look a bit tired?

[TonyM]

Hi, I have a few pumpkins (hundredweight variety I believe) that look to be coming along ok, but....

The skins have a tired look, a few cracks like old leather. Is this the sun or over / under watering? The marks are not deep just on the surface. I never covered them with cloths or anything.

Also, the patch is a mess, a few vines have the old white mildew look and some have died back. Again, is this just nature and time taking it's toll. I presume the fruit will grow and ripen ok.

Not looking to win any beauty contests just grow a few big uns.

Cheers
TonyM

[TonyM]

[saddad]

The netting effect of cracks is quite normal... think netted melons.. don't worry about the mildewed leaves by now as they have a very limited life span now the nights are cooling down..
;D

[Squashfan]

Yup Tony it's all winding down now in the pumpkin patch. Let them sit out and ripen as much as you can. I've cut a couple because the vine was completely dead. They're busy curing in my back garden now.