Pumpkin vines started withering/died overnight. Harvest?

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Moonpye Paducah, KY Aug 05, 2008

Hi all,

I've been growing three "cinderella's carriage" pumpkins on two vines since late May. One of the pumpkins is a deep, deep orange (characteristic of the variety) and difficult to dent with my fingernail, though I can still make a small impression. The other two pumpkins are catching up with the deep orange one, but still seem a bit immature, imho. Unfortunately, my pumpkin vines started dying off about a week ago, and then, seemingly overnight, they completely kicked it. The largest pumpkin weighs about 20 lbs., and I'd say the other two range between 10-15.

I've been watering them deeply once a week, because we're in the midst of a huge, horrible heat wave right now, but yesterday they wilted and never came back. I would absolutely hate to lose my pumpkins, and I'm wondering (since the vines have died) if I harvest them now, will they continue to ripen? Should I leave them on the vine? Should I go ahead and cut them/cure them?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I plan on storing a couple in my root cellar and canning the other. I'd hate for my pumpkin dreams to be be so cruelly dissipated.

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linux_guile Pueblo, CO Aug 06, 2008

im not sure. i had the same thing happen with one of my big max vines but the fruit was still way too small and immature. i wish i knew what caused it i didnt find any squash borers or any other bugs for that matter and they were getting pleanty of water. the strange thing is the other two vines growing on the same hill seem to be unaffected. could this be a disease or late blight ? i hope the other two vines survive. if your fruit already started ripening i would give it a shot and cut/cure them.

Andrew

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Moonpye Paducah, KY Aug 07, 2008

This morning,the vines were back!! I think the heat wave just about did them in...but it looks like the vines may yet survive to see the full ripening of my pumpkins. :)

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linux_guile Pueblo, CO Aug 07, 2008

your lucky, there was no hope for my vine. i hope they turn out well

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) Aug 07, 2008

Sounds like you need to put up some sort of temporary shade for them. Cukes, pumpkins, squash, etc., lose lots of water through their leaves so shade during very hot weather really helps them a lot.

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