My Pumpkins

[cacran]

This year is the first time  have any success with my pumpkins. I do not know the variety as I was given the seeds. I have four of them growning nicely but they are dark green. I am told they came from traditional orange halloweeny ones. Will mine turn orange?? Do I need to leave them on the plant or take them off and put them in the sun?? ???

[cacran]

[betula]

I think you are supposed to leave them on till the foliage goes,probally soon with frosts.

[PJW_Letchworth]

Gardenersworld said you can harvest pumpkins even if they're not fully ripe.  Make sure when you cut them you leave as much stalk as possible, cutting either side of the main stem into the pumpkin.  I've done this with my butternuts as the leaves started to go crispy.   The squashes are in an unheated conservatory and they are slowly ripening, just make sure you keep turning them to ensure an even ripening.

Of course, when Jeannine reads this, I'm sure she'll tell you exactly the right answer as after all, she is the Pumpkin Queen!   ;D

[Jeannine]

Leave them on the plant if they are still growing and the the weather stays good as they will draw some goodness from the foliage right up to it  dying off, however the weather is what I would be worrying about, you don't want them to be hit with a frost so keep your eyes open. If they get frosted thet won't store. They will turn green in storage . Cure them in a WARM place , then store them in a COOL one. Oh and don't carry them by the stem.

Well done for your success this year.

XX Jeannine