Every year that I Carve a pumpkin, the face always starts to rot with in a few days. I heard that there was something that you could put on the area that was cut, but I can can not remember what to use!! Please Help!!
2006-10-10 06:41:20 · 6 answers · asked by Ashley S 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
How To Make Your Carved Pumpkin Last Longer
Two things happen to pumpkins once they are carved: 1) they dry out and shrivel and/or 2) they mold.
To protect against dryness and mold cover the carved pumpkin with plastic wrap and put the pumpkin into the refrigerator when it is not on display. You can also use specialized spray-on treatments that fight mold and help pumpkins last longer. To reduce shriveling, coat the cut edges of your carving with petroleum jelly. You can revive a shriveled pumpkin by soaking it in water for 1 to 8 hours in a bucket or bathtub. After removing it from the water, let it drain for ½ hour then dry it carefully. If your pumpkin molds or turns soft, there is nothing you can do.
2006-10-10 06:46:57 · answer #1 · answered by Backwoods Barbie 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
When picking out your pumpkin, first check the stem. If the stem appears extremely dry, the pumpkin has already aged and will not last long no matter what you do. It should also be smooth as possible, and free of scratches, dents or gouges as this will cause it to rot faster. Once you find a good one, carry it by the stem to prevent bruising during transporting and storage as this will also shorten their lifespan. If you find a perfect pumpkin but it's missing it's stem, have no fear! You can still use it! Just carve the bottom out for the opening the same way you would do the top. Then, you just sit your light source on the cleaned bottom piece and sit the pumpkin over it. Works great and you don't need the stem for a lid handle! Pumpkins shrink or shrivel up because they loose their moisture. Sometimes you can soak them in water overnight and it will restore their original shape. After carving the pumpkin, rub the entire inside and any cut areas with petroleum jelly. The petroleum jelly acts as a barrier to seal in the pumpkins internal moisture to help slow down the dehydration process of the pumpkin. Another thing you will want to do, is move your pumpkin inside or in the shade when the sun is out because this also encourages it to dry out.
2006-10-10 07:03:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put the pumpkin in a wash tub of cold water. If the pumpkin is carved, put the carved part face down. Let the pumpkin float, and let the insides fill with water. The pumpkin will absorb the water and become very firm. If you have fine detail work to do, you may want to let your pumpkin soak over night. This will firm up the pumpkin flesh and allow you to do intricate carving. For long term storage, put a thin amount of petroleum jelly on the exposed, sawed edges. This prevents water from getting out. If water gets out, your pumpkin will shrivel. Anytime your pumpkin shrivels, soak it in a bath of cold water for one to eight hours, longer is better. Over night doesn't hurt. Putting a little unscented Clorox bleach in the water will prevent your pumpkin from prematurely molding by killing off evil pumpkin germs. Use a plant mister to spray your pumpkin and keep it moist. If you put it in plastic wrap to hold the water in and place it in the refrigerator, not the freezer, you can keep the pumpkin looking good for a long, long time. Once you remove a wet pumpkin for display, you should immediately dry it off. This prevents mold from hanving a chance to grow.
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2016-04-14 04:52:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet is to soak your carved pumkin(s) in water over night before diplaying. Then, once they are dry, use some Vaseline to coat the inside and the carvings, this will help keep it moist and will keep it fresher and mold free for longer!
Good luck and happy Halloween ;-)
2006-10-10 06:55:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should mix up a package of PLAIN gelatin as the package directs. Place in a small spray bottle and spray any exposed areas of the pumpkin. You may have to use a few packages to treat the whole pumpkin. Less messy than petroleum jelly.
2006-10-10 17:53:13 · answer #5 · answered by Pat C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Petroleum jelly .. We use it every year and it works great! Just rub it inside the pumpkin and around the carved parts.
2006-10-10 06:51:15 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the guys in my office uses vaseline.
2006-10-10 08:26:35 · answer #7 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use your gourd. It will come to you.
2006-10-13 19:01:02 · answer #8 · answered by motevoli 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋