Make Your P-Kin Last

[jadewik]

I will admit I'm a bit overzealous when it comes to my carving creations. I treat my p-kins almost like kids. (Scary, I know).... Anyway, I figured I'd give a few tricks I've picked up over the years for making your pumpkins last longer.

1- First thing's first... when you pick out a pumpkin, try to get one with a lighter orange shell. Those with a darker shell tend to rot faster. Those with a lighter shell tend to last longer. I don't know why, but I've just noticed a trend.

2- Before you start to carve your perfect pumpkin, give your pumpkin a bath with anti-bacterial soap. This will help prevent mold later. It also gets all the ucky dirty grubbies off your pumpkin... and makes their shells shine like pearls!

3- To keep your pumpkin hydrated longer, apply vasaline to the cut edges or sections of the shell that have been scraped away. This keeps moisture in.

4- If your pumpkin starts to look a little wilty or dry, let it soak in the tub for a couple of hours. A nice, warm bath will help it relax it's pumpkiny muscles and it will thank you later.

5- If you're very extreme and have lots of extra space in your 'fridge, you might think about doing this (I got a p-kin to last a whole 5-weeks this way.) Place a moist paper towl over the carved face of your pumpkin, seran wrap it in place, and stick it into the 'fridge.

6- Letting wax drip on the inside of your pumpkin also helps it last longer-- it acts as a moisture sealant and prevents mold.

7- I read somewhere this year that spraying your p-kin with lysol will "keep the green baddies away"-- I haven't tried this, so I don't know how effective it is.

That's all the tips I have. If anyone knows any more tips for making p-kins last longer... let me know.

[One Eye'd Jack]

Those are GREAT tips, Jade. I'll be sure and put them into practice!!!
I thank you and all my Lil' Jacks thank you!!!!!!

[Halloween_Girl]

Yes I have a few my family and I try to keep them until THANKSGIVING We actually made it to Thanksgiving one year!

1.When you Pick out a pumpkin knock on it if it sounds a little TO hallow dont get it! It means it will rot fast!

2.To keep teenagers from smashing your babies bring them inside at night this will also help from bugs and the cold.

3. Every now and then wipe them off with a towel (being a pumpkin is alot of work)!

4. Like Jade said bathing them is a great idea1

5. Use real candles the wax will drip and that brings moister to the pumpkin and the heat keeps it from getting cold and cold makes thing wither and rot. + we love our children!

[Stranger with candy]

lol@ being a pumpkin is a lot of work. And here I was thinking that the 'pumpkin mommy' had it rough

So I took a couple of Jade's tips and washed before carving, and vaselined the cuts. Those sounded good :nod:

I'd have thought that the cold was actually better for the pumpkins than the heat would be...? I've been trying to keep mine cool, oh well, live and learn.

[jadewik]

In another community I visit, someone had posted this link, where someone did a science experiment to test the different treatments for pumpkins.

http://www.myscienceproject.org/pumpkin.html

[St0ney]

In another community I visit, someone had posted this link, where someone did a science experiment to test the different treatments for pumpkins.

http://www.myscienceproject.org/pumpkin.html

Yep Yep !

Cold Water and Bleach works best !


Another good tip is spray the inside and carving area and lid with lysol.
after carving. Kills the bad guys.

[Rising Dead Man]

I am happy with having a jack-o-lantern for a few days. I don't care about trying to keep it for a long time. It is sad when they rot (and gross) but I am happy with having it for a few days.

[OctoberChill]

I am happy with having a jack-o-lantern for a few days. I don't care about trying to keep it for a long time. It is sad when they rot (and gross) but I am happy with having it for a few days.

I agree. I just buy the best looking pumpkin I see and carve it, and when it rots I get another one. More fun for me.

[Rising Dead Man]

If I like it I will take a picture to look at for years to come. I would like to try one of those Funkins though.

[Hallow's Queen]

hmm i will defently try this... but if i try to bathe them my mom will have a fit, so ill have to try the other tips

[Andybev01]

Whoa...Lysol?

Don't light the candle until it dries completely!

...or not; it might be cool

[St0ney]

Whoa...Lysol?

Don't light the candle until it dries completely!

...or not; it might be cool

LOL !

Nah never had one go up in flames or go KABOOM !

I know some folks who spray the inside and carving with WD40.
Works like Vaseline with-out the mess.

I still think Cold water and bleach works best.

[Andybev01]

I had put this in the rubber pumpkin thread but it belongs here.

http://blog.feefifoto.com/2007/10/halloween.html

[Hallow's Queen]

Whoa...Lysol?

Don't light the candle until it dries completely!

...or not; it might be cool

... my new goal for this halloween

ill tell you how it ends >:)

lol

[Andybev01]

Tragically is my guess

Whoa...Lysol?

Don't light the candle until it dries completely!

...or not; it might be cool

... my new goal for this halloween

ill tell you how it ends >:)

lol