Help with pumpkin

[Dee]

Hi

My 3 year old daughter has a mission to plant lots of seeds, as a result we have a huge pumpkin.

I am worried that the slugs will eat it, I really have little idea on how to care for it or when I need to pick it.

How do I tell if it is healthy? I have sat it on a plastic tub to stop it from touching the soil.

I have attached a picture, Please help, my little girl may get cross with me!

Dee!

[Hollie the Wollie]

wow that looks great! its the first time ive grown pumpkins this year and i have two big ones aswell. I think, well, from my experience, the skin is very tough when they get to that kind of size so the slugs and snails can't penetrate the skin (I may be wrong though!).

The only advice i was given was to keep them off the soil, like you have done, so they do not rot. i started a thread earlier today to see who can grow the biggest one on the forum - measure yours and lets compare!

[Dee]

I will measure it tomorrow, its got to be in with a chance its huge Any ideas when they are to be taken off the vine?

[Hollie the Wollie]

Well im not sure. Ive heard that when the main branch feeding into the pumpkin starts to crack it should be cut away. I was also told you can store them for months on end. i just want mine for halloween, so I am going to hold out as long as i can!

[Dee]

I only want this one for Halloween, a decoration for the garden! Think its to big to sit on the table!

[Dee]

Anyone else with some care advice?

[Thomas W]

Originally Posted by Dee

... My 3 year old daughter has a mission to plant lots of seeds ...

Off-topic, but where did she get that idea? Did you do something to motivate her, or did she pick it up on her own?

[Dee]

I didnt give her the idea, she picked up the pots with seeds and compost in, strawberrys first, prob because she likes them and seen the picture, then she wanted to plant more!

[allotmentlover]

place dry straw under the pumpin, it keeps it off the ground and allows the bottom to harden,stopping the slugs (and in my case )the woodlice from eating it

[Maralyn45]

You should put some plastic stuff in order to prevent your daughter from slugs...please careher..

[vegetable-gardener]

I would think it's ready to be picked now. I have picked all of mine.