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Montoursville, PA

On 28th day, while gaining 18lbs a day 1061.5 TC developed a stem split. The split looks ugly at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock with hole next to stem that goes in. I did not stick my finger in the hole but it is big enough to poke with my little finger. Think it goes all the way. Not sure. Packed them with Captan and came here for the possible last rights. The vine was loose enough to follow the stem up if that was the need. The OTT only went from 195 to 223 in four days. Weight gain 74 lbs or 18 lbs a day. This was day 28 for this pumpkin. I don't see anything wild in that picture. Do you?

So what if any possiblity for a heal exists?

8/11/2003 3:18:47 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

Doc unpack the holes and probe the depth of the splits use a hard peice of straw or a kabob scure wooden and blunt the end of it.mine went in a little over 1" deep but stopped their,if the hole doesant go to the cavity set up a small fan and dry dust as deep as possible with Captions,the fan will dry any leakage,my fan has benn going for a week now.good luck.John

8/11/2003 7:28:06 PM

I used a tiny makeup brush to prod in while I was applying captan with it. unfortunately mine goes in about 2" but doesn't seem to enter the cavity. i have a fan rigged up too. great minds think alike john.

8/11/2003 8:27:46 PM

Montoursville, PA

The comment "all the way" meant into the fleshy fruit not into the air space of the cavity. I will let the wet pack in place and check it closely. If it does not weep and cry real tears the wet packing of Captan will enable the fungicide to migrate deeper than if it was puffed in dry. I was able to tap and jiggle the fill to burp the fill and determine that air had to come back to the surface and could not go on into the pumpkin.

I base these comments on the fact I was able to fill the hole. If the hole was into the air space of the cavity I would not have been able to fill the hole. The wet Captan pack would have just oozed on into the air cavity.

I will dig out the wet pack if she crys and wants to be dry.

These suckers are amazing critters! Stem cracks have not been a known problem with this pumpkin. Some year!!!

8/11/2003 8:42:56 PM

Montoursville, PA

Sorry, I may have errored in not photographing but the day was not supportive of using one's head. Another wet dark day is not what we need they say! There may be no crack cavity to see unless I deside to dig it out and dry pack it.

8/11/2003 8:50:41 PM

Idaho

I just went out and packed a stem crack tonight I didn't probe it just filled it. already cut off 2 pumpkins from stem cracks and this one I will have to try and keep as it is the last pumpkin on any vine and my last chance as to keep something growing.
dang the dry hot Idaho desert air!!!

8/11/2003 8:51:00 PM

Western Pa.

Doc,

If the crack is wide, I've found that a cotton ball coated with wet Captan works wonders. It will dry out, but more Captan can be added.

8/11/2003 10:23:52 PM

Townshend, Vermont

hi folks, this is my 3rd year, still learning. i've got a problem. these posts reflect what one might do with splits near the stem area. i unfortunately have one on the blossom end of a big pumpkin. i was away for 6 days and my 'caretaker' didn't notice. i quickly covered the hole with captan/paste form. at first it went in. then the paste covered the hole. i never checked the depth. i do have a fan on it. reading stellpflugs info in the 'how to' page, he describes scraping material from the stem end and working it into the crack and then covering with latex caulk. with my condition i think i may go his route. my split is 3/4" x 1/4". my questions are: is it to late, three days after it was noticed? can i take material from a 50lb pnkin i culled 3weeks ago, that is still solid? is the scrape material actually the flesh beneath the skin or does it include the skin? do i need a fresh pnkin for this material? bottom line, what do i do? its my only pnkin. thanks for any input - jeff macquarrie

8/12/2003 12:24:17 AM

Wood River, Nebraska

I developed two cracks one on either sides of the stem a week ago after culling another.. They were as big as my little finger in diameter. I immediatly covered (not filled)them with latex caulk. Been gaining 16-20 lbs./day with no apparent ill effects.
dave

8/12/2003 8:31:17 AM

Montoursville, PA

I'm really new but often end up just sitting down and weighing the options whith help from here and my local coaches.

I am of the opinion that a wet, really wet fungicide, should go in first to sink and migrate into the deepest part of an injury.

The wet pack or dry touch with Captan then becomes arguementative and worth some pondering.

For the dry side: The surface damage may scab over and heal more quicly.

For the wet pack side: The surface may have a longer period of time prior to healing to absorb or permit migration of the fungicide into the plant fibre or flesh.

My position is to go in wet on wet. Watch it closely. If it crys make it dry. This would then involve digging out the wet pack, puffing or brushing with dry fungicide and turning on the fans. Maybe even a hair drier on low heat and far enough away that it created a warm flow of air.

8/12/2003 9:00:04 AM