Question re: longevity of duration aspects (pumpkins, squash, etc)

[nao57]

Hello again,

Where I live the soil is very good for pumpkins especially. But also for squash and zucchini to a point. Those kind of vegetables. I can get others to work but it takes much more effort.

I wonder...

Last winter, I didn't like how some of the pumpkins and squash didn't last as long in storage as they had in previous years.

This when I was considering it today I wondered, which minerals and nutrients might affect the storage duration of those kinds of vegetables the most?

Thanks.

 

[Soiled]

I believe it mainly involves luck. For many years I had butternut squash that lasted 4-5 months. This year, many are lasting a full year for some reason. Same growing bed. Same nutrients. Of course if you want long-term storage, you need to wash with dilute bleach solution to disinfect the skin.

 

[Meadowlark]

This when I was considering it today I wondered, which minerals and nutrients might affect the storage duration of those kinds of vegetables the most?

My research points to calcium and magnesium being the important elements to shelf life. To a lesser extent perhaps, potassium, iron and phosphorus. Properly prepared soil rich in organic matter high in nutrient density enables the availability of these minerals...not luck.

Water may arguably be the biggest variable in determining storage success or failure. Too much before harvest usually means poor storage in my experience. Washing any veggie post-harvest accelerates decay, in my experience.

 

[nao57]

My research points to calcium and magnesium being the important elements to shelf life. To a lesser extent perhaps, potassium, iron and phosphorus. Properly prepared soil rich in organic matter high in nutrient density enables the availability of these minerals...not luck.

Water may arguably be the biggest variable in determining storage success or failure. Too much before harvest usually means poor storage in my experience. Washing any veggie post-harvest accelerates decay, in my experience.

That is very interesting. Thank you. And thanks also Soiled.

Would using a hydrogen peroxide solution to clean and get rid of mold, fungus before it shows once in awhile cut shelf life also?

 

[Soiled]

I would assume that a hydrogen peroxide dip would serve the same sanitizing purpose as a dilute bleach dip. Can't imagine why that would cut shelf life. The latter certainly doesn't. The surface of winter squash, in particular, does not absorb water. I would agree that too much water before harvest might affect storage, though.

I test my soil regularly, and the nutrient content doesn't change appreciably. So variable shelf life does not seem to depend on those, for me at least.