What are the causes of pumpkin rot?
Fungal/ Mold attackBacterial attackMoisture augmented with pressureLow exposure to sunlight at early stages of growth
How to keep pumpkins from rotting?
Here are some methods to prevent pumpkin from rotting. The methods can be categorized into physical and chemical methods.
Physical Methods
Pumpkins, while growing in their vines, rest on the ground and meet the soil that houses a wide variety of microbes including fungi, molds, bacteria and microscopic bugs. Humidity and different ranges of temperature supports the growth of different microbes.
There are three physical methods to prevent pumpkins from rot.
To slide something underneath the pumpkins
This is the simplest way and takes minimum effort. Place pumpkins over something that does not absorb moisture and remain consistently dry throughout for a longer time and the surface needs to be checked intermittently and must be wiped off of moisture or water droplets that wet the surface when it rains or when the pumpkin climbers are watered.
Plastic bags, dry and sturdy wooden planks like that of teak or white oak which are not in shape for use in woodworks, Thin concrete slabs from any destructed buildings could be used for the purpose.
The latter two solves the problem of plastic and also helps reusing wastes, you see!
Trellising
it is basically a frame or support on which the climbers are directed to grow. From the climbers, pumpkins dangle and thus stay airborne avoiding encountering ground and thus prevents from microbial attack. This also avoids pressure due to the weight of the pumpkin falling on to the bottom surface. Pressures accelerate the growth of existing rots.
Trees or plants with strong trunk can also be used as natural trellises, for example sunflower plants.
Artificial trellises made of variety of materials like iron, ceramic or concrete and with various designs can be used, according to users’ taste and requirements
Storing in mildly cold and humid-free places
Postharvest, it is more difficult to preserve pumpkins, as the physical connection with their climbers cuts the inflow of substances that, to an extent, keep them immune against rot.
Provided humidity and even a minimal nutrient such as simple sugars, fungi/molds, in the form of airborne spores, attack and grow luxuriously and set in the roots. So avoid placing pumpkins on damp wood as they provide sugars to fungi.
Higher ambient temperatures favor rapid growth of fungi. Typically, temperatures of upper 50 and lower 60-degree Fahrenheit keep pumpkins safe from rotting.
Chemical Methods (Carved Pumpkins)
Do you love Halloween? And do you love jack-o’-lanterns?!!
Well, it takes a lot of effort to make one and even more efforts to preserve and protect them from rotting and keep them looking fresh!
Following methods help preserve carved pumpkins.
There are numerous antimicrobial agents. However, not all chemicals are not feasible in terms of cost, usability, etc. The following ones are most feasible, easy to use and access and cost effective.
Bleach
Bleach/Bleaching powder is a mixture of chemicals with sodium hypochlorite as an active ingredient. It is an antimicrobial that acts on a wide range of microbes, including fungi.
Dissolve a teaspoon of bleaching powder in a gallon of water or and submerge pumpkin in the solution for 5-6 hours or mix 1 tablespoon of liquid bleach in 2 cups of water and spray every day.
Every preservative has its own shortfall. Likewise, bleach leaves a thin layer of white precipitate, and it doesn’t reduce shriveling. And the pumpkin does not remain edible anymore as bleach is toxic.
But there is a simple solution to reverse shriveling; Just immerse the pumpkin in water for about 8 hours.
Caution! Wear safety glasses and gloves while handling bleach.
Vegetable/cooking oil
Unlike Bleach, Vegetable oil is a natural substance. Non-toxic. Vegetable oil keeps the pumpkin moist and doesn’t allow water to encounter the fleshy part of the pumpkin.
Using vegetable oil is simple. Just apply the oil as a smear and let it do its work!
It also keeps pumpkin from shriveling and retains smoothness and keeps it shiny.
Petroleum jelly/Vaseline
Petroleum jellies are hydrophobic! They do not allow water to pass through.
Apply Vaseline or any petroleum jelly in a thin layer all over the fleshy parts of the pumpkin. It keeps pumpkin moist but not water-wet that favors rot.
In addition, it slows down shriveling of pumpkin and improves shining.
Baking soda
This is the best chemical to keep the rot away, as it is nontoxic.
Dissolve two tablespoons of baking soda in about 200mL of water and sprinkle all over. In addition to rot control, it keeps the fleshy part fresh for longer, but it makes the surface a little rough.
Combinations
Every preservative has its own shortfall. Bleach doesn’t reduce shriveling; baking soda makes the surface rough; vegetable oil makes rind fluffy. These shortcomings can be addressed by using other agents like vinegar, tea tree oil in combination with anti-rot agents.
There are various such combinations. But the best is the combination of baking soda and tea tree oil.
Combine 2 tablespoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon tea tree oil in about 200 ml of water, mix well and spray pumpkin daily.
Conclusion
Pumpkins need both physical and chemical methods at different stages through its life from cultivation to postharvest use and storage. Choosing methods should be based on requirements and convenience.
