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How and When to Harvest Casperita Pumpkins

Casperita pumpkins are winter squashes and are considered small squashes as they weigh no more than 1 lb. (450 g). These pumpkins are often used for Halloween decorations, but they are also edible pumpkins with a pleasant flavor.  Continue reading to learn how and when to harvest Casperita pumpkins correctly.

The flavor of Casperita pumpkin is very similar to acorn squash, which means that Casperita pumpkin is a very tasty variety. With a slightly buttery and sweeter flavor than other pumpkin varieties, Casperita pumpkin is ideal for a variety of dishes.

When to Harvest Casperita Pumpkins

When to Harvest Casperita Pumpkins? Casperita pumpkins take approximately 75 days to ripen, but you should not only count the days of ripening of the pumpkin to know if the fruit is ripe. In the Northern Hemisphere, you will harvest Casperita pumpkins between September and October, with the possibility of harvesting in November if you plant late.

Also, you should look at the color of the Casperita pumpkins to see if the fruit is ripe. A ripe Casperita pumpkin will have a deep color. Note that not all Casperita pumpkins will ripen at the same time.

A ripe Casperita pumpkin will also have hard skin. Press with your fingernail on the skin of the Casperita pumpkin, if it leaves a mark on the pumpkin, it is not ripe yet. Finally, you will notice that the vine begins to dry out as the pumpkins begin to ripen.

So, to know when to harvest Casperita pumpkins you should observe the color, and the hardness of the skin and count the days of ripening of the pumpkin. Harvest all Casperita pumpkins before frost begins.

when to harvest casperita pumpkins
When to Harvest Casperita Pumpkins? Pick Casperita pumpkins when you notice that the skin of the pumpkin is hard and count the days of ripening.

How to Harvest Casperita Pumpkins

How to Harvest Casperita Pumpkins? To harvest Casperita pumpkins, you will need pruning shears or a sharp knife. Before harvesting pumpkins, disinfect the tools with alcohol to prevent vine diseases. Not all pumpkins will ripen at the same time, and that is why care must be taken to ensure that the vine does not become infected with a pest or disease.

Always leave a 1” to 2” (2.5 to 5 cm) stalk when harvesting Casperita pumpkins for better preservation of the pumpkin. Never pull Casperita pumpkins off the vine to avoid damaging the vine and the stem of the pumpkins.

Harvest all pumpkins before frost begins. Brush Casperita pumpkins to clean off any soil that may be on them, but do not wash the pumpkin. To preserve the pumpkin, the pumpkin mustn’t be wet.

How to Store Casperita Pumpkins

How to Store Casperita Pumpkins? Now you know how and when to harvest Casperita pumpkins, now I will explain how to cure them to be able to store Casperita pumpkins for a longer period.

To cure Casperita pumpkins, select a well-ventilated place and place the pumpkins without stacking them. Stacking the pumpkins may damage the skin and the pumpkins will not last as long in storage.

The pumpkin curing process takes between 10 and 14 days. The ideal curing temperature for Casperita pumpkins is between 80 and 85 °F (27 to 29 °C). Avoid getting pumpkins wet during the curing process.

Once the curing process of Casperita pumpkins is finished, the pumpkins can be stored for up to 6 months approximately. The ideal temperature for storing Casperita pumpkins is 50 and 55 °F (10 to 13 °C). You can store the pumpkins in a garage or basement.

Avoid stacking pumpkins for both curing and storage to prevent damage. If you are going to use these pumpkins for a Halloween decoration, curing is not necessary. I recommend our article about how to make a Halloween pumpkin last longer.

how to store casperita pumpkins
How to Store Casperita Pumpkins? You can store Casperita pumpkins for up to 6 months in your basement or garage.

Final Conclusions

Casperita pumpkins are an excellent choice because they ripen faster than any other variety of winter squash. As the Casperita pumpkin has a flavor very similar to the acorn squash, it is very good for excellent garnishing dishes.

I hope this article about how and when to harvest Casperita pumpkins will be useful, and you will have an excellent harvest. I recommend our article about how often to water pumpkins.

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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