This file is one of the Wolfstone archives of the Halloween mailing lists. You can find out more, and reach the entire collection here: http://www.pobox.com/~wolfstone/_r/HalloweenArchive.html This particular archive deals with "pumpkins" topics. This includes: o pumpkins - carved and not o real pumpkins o pake pumkins o growing pumpkins - - - - - Subject: Re: Howl - Pumpkin Report From: "Mark Harvey" Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2001 21:58:58 -0700 (PDT) They should last. Just make sure you store them well. Low moisture, low = heat, low noise...uh wait...no...noise doesn't bug 'em. I grew some last = year and they lasted quite long outside here in Northern California. Mark --- "Steven Strong" > wrote: Does anyone know if >the pumpkins and gourds will keep til Halloween this early or will they >rot?? - - - - - Subject: Re: Howl - Pumpkin Report From: "Goblin" Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001 08:20:41 -0700 Go to http://www.pumpkinnook.com/ for a description and pictures of the pumpkin flower sexes as well as info on pollination. Goblin Home Haunters Of America http://HomeHaunt.com > ----- Original Message ----- > How do you tell if you have male flowers or female flowers? I have lots of > flowers but no pumpkins. One start to form but it just broke off of the > vine. I'm not sure if it is the heat or what. - - - - - Subject: Re: Howl - Pumpkin Report From: "Joli Forth" Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 09:01:28 -0700 If you have a 'root cellar' they might last. I think the gourds are OK - = you might check out some of the gourd websites for tips but the pumpkins I'm less sure about - again pumpkin websites... If I can find my pumpkin = lesson from the convergence, I'll post the recommended sites. BTW, where do you live that your are so far ahead of my area? Toadling > I've already cut all my pumpkins off the vines and also my gourds. The > vines were dying so I went ahead and pulled them up. Does anyone know = if > the pumpkins and gourds will keep til Halloween this early or will they > rot?? - - - - - Subject: Re: Howl - Pumpkin Report From: "Iron Kingdom" Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001 11:42:56 -0400 Subject: Re: Howl - Pumpkin Report > How do you tell if you have male flowers or female flowers? I have lots of > flowers but no pumpkins. One start to form but it just broke off of the > vine. I'm not sure if it is the heat or what. > > The Gray Ghost The male flowers usually hang out in groups. If you listen real close you might be able to acctually hear them make statements like: "Whoa, = check the petals on that one!" or "Yo baby, nice stems!". The female flowers = will then be heard responding with: "Jerk!". It's a little known fact, but some species of female pumpkin flowers chew the heads off of the male flowers after pollination. Ironman - - - - - Subject: Re: Howl - Pumpkin Report From: "Wraith" Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 11:35:27 -0700 I finally got rid of our uncarved pumpkin from last Halloween when we = moved this last month. The secret? Easy. Keep them active. If you want your gourds to last, roll them every day so that the moisture inside them doesn't congregate in one place. That's why they rot prematurely. Put it on it's side one day, it's top the next. After that balance it diagonally. Change the position of the pumpkin and it will = stay dry and pretty for many months. It may even dry out completely like mine = did and leave you with a permanently preserved Halloween prop which can then = be carved, decorated and polished. - - - - - Subject: Re: Howl - Pumpkin Report From: "Joli Forth" Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001 21:03:38 -0700 Here're some clippings from the 'pros'; Punkins: Pumpkins and winter squash should be mature when harvested. Harvest them before frost and cure them in a warm, well-ventilated location for 10 days before they are placed in storage. "Cure" by exposing the produce to temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 days to toughen or suberize = the skin before long-term storage. Winter squash and pumpkins can tolerate some frost before harvest without harming their quality. If they are both stored at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and at a relative humidity of 70-75 percent, they should keep = for 2 to 3 months. Wash and dry produce gently before storing it. Be gentle, as handling can abrade the skin and open it up to bacterial or fungal infection. To prevent rot, leave part of the stem on each fruit. All immature = pumpkins and squash or those damaged by light frost should be eaten soon after harvest or cooked and frozen. Gourds: Gourds should be "cured" or air-dried prior to use. First, wash them with warm, soapy water and then place on layers of newspaper to dry for about a week. During this time, the outer skin hardens and surface color sets. Replace the newspaper with fresh sheets and allow the gourds to finish drying for an additional three to four weeks. To encourage drying and good color retention, dry gourds in a warm, dry, dark area such as a closet or under a bed. Decorative gourds can be displayed in their natural state for three to = four months. Applying wax, shellac or varnish can prolong shelf life for = several more months and will lend a shiny coat to the exterior. - - - - - Subject: RE: Carving Foam Pumpkins From: "Halloween" Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2001 20:39:17 -0400 An update on foam pumpkin carving. I just finished my first carving. I started with the pumpkin master saws, but found it tough to start the cut and then it left a jagged edge. I then tried a disposable surgical scalpel that I got from a nurse friend of mine. It worked incredible well. It has = a sharp point on the end so it is easy to push it into the foam and start = your cut. The blade is very narrow so you can still push the blade through the foam (it's about 3/8" thick) getting a clean cut and still make the cuts = in short distances. The other nice part is they are razor sharp which allows you to carve with great detail. These pumpkins are a great alternative to the real thing because its lets you do your carving now, not three days before 10/31. Also they don't rot. - - - - -