From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Western Pa.

Last Friday, (the 13th), while in the patch I noticed an abundance of fruit flies! Saturday morning brought with it a foul odor. Sunday morn, I noticed a small "stream" running from the bottom of my best pumpkin ever. Because the pumpkin had "grown over" the blossom end, I could not see a crack even lying on the ground with a flashlight. But with my hand, a felt a small hole the diameter of a pencil, from whence the "stream" flowed. Stick a fork in her boys, cause she's done! Final OTT measurements: 155-100-87, on the new Stellpflug/Martin chart that would be an 800.4# EST.
Don't you just LOVE this hobby?

kilr

9/18/2002 1:01:44 PM

Edmonton, Canada

Sorry to hear that Kilr. What a heartbreaker!

9/18/2002 1:38:04 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

Kirl sorry to hear that, that smell is usually the first thing that tips me off!! when i head towards the patch i always dread that smell.

Glenn

9/18/2002 1:54:57 PM

Connecticut, USA

Ouch Kilr. Sorry to hear.

9/18/2002 2:34:57 PM

Knopp, Germany

sorry to hear that Kilr...owen

9/18/2002 3:10:12 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Ouch is right. Sorry to hear that story.

Hope you got a couple more on the vine.

9/18/2002 3:38:27 PM

North Ga

What a bummer!

9/18/2002 4:12:30 PM

Tacoma, WA

A most discouraging discovery! A real "bummer", Jim!!
As I wrote on another post, 2002, The Year of the Perforations!

9/18/2002 4:21:23 PM

Key West, FL

that sucks

9/18/2002 5:46:26 PM

Commack, NY

oh maaaaaaaaan, sorry to read that kilr.....but that's still a HUGE ass fruit!!

Scott

9/18/2002 6:05:21 PM

Indiana

Sorry to hear Jim, I agree with Scott though....That is still a Huge a.......

Did you weigh what is left?

Tom Beachy

9/18/2002 6:50:27 PM

Massachusetts

sorry to hear that Kilr.... Steve

9/18/2002 7:43:30 PM

Key West, FL

by the way what was the pumpkin on and did you get seeds?

9/18/2002 8:24:58 PM

Ga.

Kilr,,,sorry to hear......

9/18/2002 8:29:49 PM

Roanoke Il

sorry to hear jim i know how you feel
mark

9/18/2002 8:38:45 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Kilr, Form all the newbies you and Mark,Scotty,G and all the guys who have helped us out...We might never know the pain of losing that big un's you guys grow but believe me were with you 100 percent...sorry to hear about that but I know I've heard this from you guys...Go out and get em next year...Grow em Big buddy! thanx Chuck

9/18/2002 8:46:20 PM

Ann Arbor, Mi

Kilr, so sorry for your lost.... Bob

9/18/2002 9:27:55 PM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

So my question is why all the splits?? I've lost 4 of six this year. Three in the 700# class. I'd like to know what to do different next year. My three big ones have gone down due to splits in the ribs. Two of which is where dill rings intersected with ribs and the third is a deep rib. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this? Are these kind of splits due to rapid growth or is rapid growth more typically associated with blossom end splits (never had one of those yet)?

9/18/2002 10:54:41 PM

Puyallup, WA

I am planning on doing at least two things differently next year. First, I am planting later. Two, I will tip the blossum end downward.

9/18/2002 11:07:43 PM

Choctaw, OK

hey jim....from one broken heart to anohter...i feel yer pain....

casey

9/18/2002 11:24:53 PM

Western Pa.

Guys,

Thanks for the condolenses! The pumpkin was grown on my 440# seed from last year. (Mombert 940 (2000)x Stelts 801). It was a beautiful round, high, fruit, and was that unmistakenable bright "Mombert Orange".(Pictures will follow!) Last year when I cut into my 673#, (which developed a small crack after the weigh-off), it was at least 2/3 full of water and mushy stuff. This year's pumpkin, however, lost a lot of weight through that hole in the period of a day or two. This season has created a lot of casualties from what I've heard. Splits, holes, rotten vines, insects, drought, too much water too soon, all the things that I even hate to mention at this point of the season! I've still got 3 more in the 600's, but THIS girl was special! After 5 years of growing these things, I MAY just take a year off, to enjoy some of the other things in life! Don't worry, I'll be back, and thanks for all your support!

kilr

9/19/2002 12:32:33 AM

Stony Plain, Alberta (near Edmonton)

'lo kilr,
Your did a fantastic job only to lose it at the last moment...what a heartbreaker... we feel for you here in Canada. Hope you can save some seed.

Dave

9/19/2002 3:30:50 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Sorry to hear.... Tom

9/19/2002 8:31:11 PM