Crown Prince Query

[chris]

Haven't grown any squash before, but my CP seem to be doing well. I've one large (10inches in diameter roughly) pumpkin on the vine, and it seems to be growing well. I've now got it on a slab, but reading around it says to turn it a quater turn every day to ensure it ripens... won't this snap the vine?

I've removed the leaves around it which were shadowing it... is it just a matter of waiting until it goes grey/blue before picking or is there another way to know it's ok to pick?

Thanks.

[piskieinboots]

I never turned mine - as to when it's ready, I picked when I'd had enough of seeing them and wanted the space

[gojiberry]

You only turn them when they have been picked and need curing in the sun before storing. If you intend storing then leave on the vine as long as possible.

Ian

[chris]

So if I wanted to eat it tonight, I could pick it tonight?

I thought you cured them TO store? Curing being helping the skin thicken up?

[Brengirl]

Thanks Chris for posing this. I have squash/pumpkin of heinz variety. There are just one to a vine, sound hollow when tapped but the vine is still green. Does the fruit develope after it is fully grown? Or can you pick and keep for the flavour to improve?

[ginger ninger]

Test it first Chris...if it sounds hollow you can pick it and eat it, but if you want to store it cut it off the vine when it reach's a size you want, leave it in the sun to finish ripening/harden up the skin but don't let it get wet. Best outside but a sunny windowsill works as well. Hope this help's. xx

[Two_Sheds]

it says to turn it a quater turn every day to ensure it ripens... won't this snap the vine?

Not if you turn it one way then back the other way, ie don't keep on turning in a continuous circle.

However, I think you are way too premature to be thinking about storing and curing. When is your first frost? You don't need to bringing them indoors until then (mine is November, so long ways off yet).

If you want to eat it now, go ahead, but it will be bitter if it's not ripe. Really, only experience will help you. Don't be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way.

[zazen999]

The idea of winter squash....is to ripen and eat during the winter. If you wanted to eat squash fresh; then summer squash is the way to go.

So leave on for as long as possible, until just before your first frost date, or one is forecast; then harvest and put somewhere frost free to cure.

[chris]

Thank you. Does it need to be in the sun to cure? Apparantly my first frost date is mid-november.. so come november would an unheated GH be ok? Or just indoors on kitchen windowsil if it'll fit?

[Two_Sheds]

Somewhere frost free Chris. Where is up to you.

[chris]

Sweet, cheers ! I've found 4 others hiding away under the mass of leaves. Deary me, i won't be planting as many next year