Carving a great pumpkin as a Halloween decoration takes a lot of time and effort. Many people end up disappointed when they see their art work starting to get moldy just before Halloween night. There are several things you can do to prevent your Halloween pumpkin from getting moldy and keep it mold-free even well after Halloween. Read further to find out how.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Silica
Step 1. Look for silica gel in small packs
Silica is used as a water absorber, where this material will absorb excess moisture in the air. What causes your pumpkin to rot and mold? Excess moisture! Silica is a simple but very effective solution to this.
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Check your desk drawer or cupboard, as you may still have some silica packaging left over from buying it some time ago. If you can't find one, you can buy silica in bulk at very economical prices online. You can usually get silica in small packages with the following items:
- Beef
- Shoes and shoe boxes
- cat litter
Step 2. Remove the silica granules from the packaging
Don't leave it where your pets can reach it, because although silica itself is not toxic, manufacturers sometimes add toxic ingredients (such as cobalt chloride) to packaged silica products.
Step 3. Put the silica in the flask
Cut off the top of the pumpkin. Take the silica granules and glue them to the inside of the flask. Don't glue the grain too far so that it causes the outer appearance to change.
When gluing silica grains, use 3/4 gram of silica for every 1600 cubic cm of flask
Method 2 of 4: Bleach
Step 1. Mix 1 teaspoon of bleach to every 1 gallon of water to make a pumpkin bath
You'll need a barrel and a bleach-water mixture that's appropriate for the size of your pumpkin.
Bleach has antimicrobial properties while water will moisturize the pumpkin skin like a moisturizing lotion on human skin
Step 2. Soak the pumpkin in the bleach solution, until it is completely submerged
Soak the pumpkin for about 8 hours.
Step 3. Remove the pumpkin from the bleach solution and pat it dry with a tissue or sponge
Step 4. Moisten the pumpkin with a bleach solution
Spray the same bleach solution on the inside and outside of the flask. Absorb excess moisture after spraying. Moisture is the cause of mold.
Method 3 of 4: Pumpkin Preservation
Step 1. Purchase pumpkin preserves
Pumpkin preserves, such as Pumpkin Fresh, are available online and at Halloween specialty stores. Pumpkin preservatives may contain water, sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax), and/or sodium bezoate (a preservative as well as a fungicide). This preservative has the ability to kill fungus.
Step 2. Spray pumpkin with preservative or soak in it
Spraying is easier to do but soaking has a longer effect.
If you choose to soak the pumpkin, be sure to pat it dry. Keep in mind that mold will attack in damp conditions
Step 3. Continue spraying the pumpkin with pumpkin preservative every day
Spray pumpkin preservative on the inside and outside of the pumpkin and watch for its ability to fight spoilage and mold growth. Pumpkin preservatives can help keep pumpkins relatively mildew-free for up to 14 days.
Method 4 of 4: The Way That Didn't Work
Step 1. Do not use white glue to preserve the pumpkin
White glue is thought to create a layer around the inside of the pumpkin, thereby inhibiting the growth of mold due to damp conditions. But sadly, white glue only speeds up pumpkin rot.
Step 2. Do not use tar oil to preserve the pumpkin
Tar oil is thought to prevent the pumpkin from dehydrating, so it doesn't rot. Unfortunately, this method also accelerates the growth of fungi.
Step 3. Do not use acrylic spray to preserve the pumpkin
Again, this is thought to coat the inside of the pumpkin, creating a barrier for mold growth. This assumption is different from the reality: pumpkins sprayed with acrylic did not last much longer than pumpkins that were not treated with anything.
Tips
- You might also consider gluing silica packets into the inside of the flask. This will work against the moisture in the bottom of the pumpkin.
- If you need to dig small hollows in the flask to keep the silica grains intact while gluing them together, you can do that.
