For my October 20th wedding, i am wanting to buy the tiny mini pumpkins for the guests. They will also double as a seat tag as i am tying the guests names around the stem. My question is, how long do pumpkins last once they are picked? Can they be perserved somehow? In your opinion, how long should i wait to purchase and where should i store them until the wedding? Would a garage be ok?
Ok, well, that's 5 questions. lol
Thanks so much for your input
2007-08-24 00:12:48 · 3 answers · asked by mom to be 6/27/09 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
They can last a long time.
Store in a cool, dry place, such a spare room (root cellars are too damp) at 45 to 60 degrees F. up to a month even longer stored in a cool, dry and dark place(if possible) 50 to 55°F. Refrigerate for up to three months
Wash skins in a solution of about a tablespoon of chlorine bleach to a gallon of water to disinfect the skin and discourage mold or rot. Dry immediately as dampness encourages spoilage. If you find mold, wipe with vegetable oil to remove the mold and seal the spot.
Make sure your pumpkin has air circulation to help prevent moisture from forming on the surfaces of the fruit and to retard the growth of decay fungi and bacteria.
Avoid hot and humid places
Pumpkins are best stored on a board or piece of cardboard.
Do not store on a cement floor or with apples to prevent rot. Your garage might be a little too warm, depending on where you live.
There will be a glut of pumpkins at the end of September, so you won't have to hurry to buy them early.
Your tiny pumpkin idea sounds great...& unique!
Good luck! Congratulations!
2007-08-24 00:18:46 · answer #1 · answered by ANGEL 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh, they definitely should last until your wedding if you buy them -- they are meant for Halloween, after all! If you are buying them from a trusted merchant, just ask when you should buy them. They should be "cured" already, which is what keeps them good for so long. The garage would be perfect, as long as the temperature doesn't go below freezing -- 50 F would be perfect. Keep them out of the sun, but make sure they get good air circulation. Store them in one layer -- not in a pile. Otherwise, they could ferment (air circulation, again).
Actually, your pumpkins could last as long as the beginning of December as long as they were cured nicely, and never go below freezing.
How do I know this? I've grown mini-pumpkins, regular pumpkins and sugar pie pumpkins, and have stored them in our basement. Mini-pumpkins were still good just before New Years!
Oh, do buy some extra, just in case you get some pumpkins that have been handled roughly. Bruised pumpkins are more likely to rot.
Very cute idea, and have a happy wedding!
2007-08-24 07:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by Madame M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Years ago, I bought a mini pumpkin from the grocery store, during the fall.
That little thing lasted a good two months, just chilling out in my room. >.> I bet that keeping in a dry area might be best, but that's just my mind thinking that moisture wouldn't be too great for them. I could be wrong.
I remember keeping it for so long before it started to get moldy. :p
On another note, I think that's so cute! :D Good luck, and congrats!
2007-08-24 07:23:03 · answer #3 · answered by Erin M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋