Your comments and tips

22 May 10, Shane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

When pumpkins are ready they will have a hollow sound if you 'rap' on the outside. Just don't use "Ice T" when rapping or they'll harden. ;-)

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23 Jul 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

when the imbilicle [ small curly vine from the top] is dead and dried up, then your pumpkin is ready. Goes for all pumpkins. Get a frost on top and you are LOL.

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19 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have dozens of self sown pumpkins, kent variety, the are getting really big, when do I know when to pick them, and also do they continue to ripen of the vine. hope someone can help.. thaks

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21 May 10, pete (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

just leave them until the vine dies. as you are in cool/mountain climate probably the first frost will kill them. harvest them leaving the part where they attach to the vine on the pumpkin and store them in an airy dark cool place. when living in canberra i found up in the top air space of my garage the best place. keep an eye on them and dispose of any that start to rot. they should keep for months.

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21 May 10, Jef (Australia - temperate climate)

Generally, pumpkins should be left until the vine dies back, and the stalk turns brownish. Cut with at least 5cm of stalk, and leave the pumpkins in the sun for a couple of weeks to harden off. They then should keep for months.

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13 May 10, lyn (Australia - temperate climate)

what causes fully formed butternut pumpkins to split along the length?

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08 Mar 21, Andrew (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have 9 Jap pumpkins growing. A lot of the vine has died back but the stems are still green. I noticed a couple of the pumpkins have split. Any ideas why? And are they still edible?

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22 Apr 10, (Australia - tropical climate)

Natasha, have you tried Steve's tip above - maybe clip the shoots so the plant puts more energy into fruiting?

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21 Apr 10, Natasha (Australia - temperate climate)

I had two pumpkin vines grow out of the compost around december in which they are nice and healthy looking vines now and they both started to flower over a month ago. Every morning I check to see if any of the female flowers are opening in which I would then hand pollinate with a few male flowers. Although I have been trying to hand pollinate each female flower, they do not seem to continue to grow. The female fruit just withers and dies off without any progress in size. Can anyone give any advice? Thanks!

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29 Mar 10, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)

Have recently purchased a Kuri pumpkin and ready to plant its seeds I am told it has always been grown in isolation and boasts a pure history. Does this really make a difference if cross pollination occurs or should I maintain a single variety policy

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