I recently returned from a hospitalization that kept me away throughout July, during which my neighbors kindly took care of my garden. When I got back, I found that a small pumpkin I had was now huge—it had pulled the whole plant over, twisting and damaging the vine it was hanging from.
I've made a makeshift support for the pumpkin and put a small pot beneath the damaged vine in hopes it could still grow roots and absorb nutrients. The pumpkin is bright orange now and seems ready to harvest, but I read that the stem should be woody when picking it. Unfortunately, it's not woody at all, probably due to the damage. There are still healthy leaves and growth beyond the affected area, so I'm unsure if I should go ahead and harvest or wait a bit longer.
1 Answer
It's great to see your pumpkin thriving despite the challenges! You're correct that it's best to wait until the stem is woody for the best harvest. A non-woody stem could mean it's not fully mature, so it might be wise to give it a bit more time. Keep an eye on it and make sure it's getting enough support to prevent further damage. Also, your supporting setup looks cool, but just make sure it’s stable!
Yeah, that's a solid point! Having a stable setup is key, especially since it’s already been through a lot. It might help to use a wider base like a baking tray to avoid any potential accidents.