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Why pumpkin won't keep: what to do if the vegetable starts to rot
23.01.2023 12:44
Updated: 13.04.2023 14:33
Harvesting pumpkin is not a problem. But keeping the vegetable whole throughout the winter is not for everyone.
The most reliable way is to process the vegetable, but given the quantity and volume of the fruit, sometimes this is simply physically impossible, and therefore the entire harvest is stored.
Let's try to figure out why pumpkins start to rot during storage.
Reasons
The pumpkin will rot if:
- to harvest ahead of schedule;
- damage the fruit before or during harvesting;
- the plant is sick;
- store fruits in unsuitable conditions.
When to harvest
If you wait until the frost, the frozen pumpkin will only be processed. It will not lie around any longer. Therefore, collect vegetables whose stalks have dried out and become hard, the leaves on the vines have dried out, the peel has become hard and dense, and the color completely corresponds to the varietal characteristics.
Damage
If there are deep scratches on the dense skin, they should be treated with a 3% solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green. The pumpkin will be stored, but you should not delay it too much.
Storage
It is important that this is a room with good ventilation, air humidity of 70-75%, the fruits should lie on the shelves without touching each other, and the temperature in the storage facility should be 5-15 degrees Celsius.
The pumpkin is rotting
Having collected seemingly healthy vegetables, be prepared for the disease to manifest itself later. Poor ventilation and high humidity contribute to the development of a pathogenic environment. Therefore, vegetables should be inspected periodically and, if there is damage, the fruits should be sent for processing or disposed of so that the entire harvest does not rot.
