Cinderella pumpkins are also known by the name Rouge Vif d’Etampes, these pumpkins are very beautiful to decorate and also tasty to eat. These pumpkins are named for their resemblance to the pumpkin in the fairy tale “Cinderella”. Learn all about how and when to harvest Cinderella pumpkins in this article.
Cinderella pumpkins originate from France and are a type of winter squash. These pumpkins can weigh between 15 and 35 pounds (7 to 16 kg) and are up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. Cinderella pumpkin is a very beautiful pumpkin, which is highlighted by its deep orange color. Continue reading to find out how and when to harvest Cinderella pumpkin.
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When to Harvest Cinderella Pumpkins
When to Harvest Cinderella Pumpkins? Cinderella pumpkins should be harvested when fully mature, approximately 110 days after planting Cinderella pumpkins. But it is not only the ripening days that must be counted to know when to harvest Cinderella pumpkins.
A ripe Cinderella pumpkin will have a deep orange color and hard skin to the touch. Press with your fingernail on the skin of the Cinderella pumpkin, if when pressing leaves a mark on the skin that the Cinderella pumpkin is not yet ripe. Cinderella pumpkins when ripe will have hard skin.
Also, you will notice that the vine begins to dry when the Cinderella pumpkins are ripening. You will mainly observe the stems of the Cinderella pumpkins that are starting to become drier.
So, to know when to harvest Cinderella pumpkins you should observe the color of the pumpkin, the hardness of the skin of the pumpkin, and count the days of ripening. Not all Cinderella pumpkins will be ripe at the same time. Harvest all your Cinderella pumpkins before frost.
How to Harvest Cinderella Pumpkins
How to Harvest Cinderella Pumpkins? Harvesting Cinderella pumpkins is a very easy and quick process. You will need a pruning shear or sharp knife to harvest Cinderella pumpkins. Since not all pumpkins will be ripe at the same time, only select ripe Cinderella pumpkins. It is important to disinfect the tools used to harvest the pumpkins with alcohol.
Cut the stem of the Cinderella pumpkin 1” to 2” (2.5 to 5 cm) from the base of the pumpkin. Leaving a 1” to 2” (2.5 to 5 cm) stem in the pumpkin ensures that you can preserve the pumpkin longer. Never pull the gourd off the vine so as not to damage the vine and the pumpkin.
Then brush the pumpkin to clean any dirt or insects from the garden, but do not wash it for the next process, which will be the curing of the pumpkin. Curing Cinderella pumpkin allows the pumpkin to be stored for several months.
How to Store Cinderella Pumpkins
How to Store Cinderella Pumpkins? If you are going to make any Halloween decorations or decorate with your Cinderella pumpkins it is not necessary to cure, curing is done only to store and consume the pumpkin.
Place the Cinderella pumpkins in a well-ventilated area and protect the pumpkins from rain. The curing process takes about 10 to 14 days. The ideal curing temperature for Cinderella pumpkins is between 80 and 85 °F (27 to 29 °C). Curing allows the skin of the pumpkin to be tougher and to be stored for a longer period.
Once the Cinderella pumpkin curing process is complete, you can store the pumpkins for up to 6 months. Pumpkins can be stored in a garage or basement. The ideal temperature for storing pumpkins is 50 and 55 °F (10 to 13 °C).
For both curing and storage, avoid stacking pumpkins to prevent damage. I also recommend that when storing pumpkins, store them in a place where they will not get wet for better preservation.
Final Conclusions
Cinderella pumpkins are ideal for making decorations or preparing delicious meals such as soups or pies. Many people carve these pumpkins to make their Halloween decorations. If you are going to make a Halloween decoration with these pumpkins, you may be interested in our article about how to make a Halloween pumpkin last longer.
I hope this article about how and when to harvest Cinderella pumpkins will be helpful. We recommend our article about how often to water pumpkins.
