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WALES, NEW YORK

i came home from work today and found that my best pumpkin @ around 500# had developed 2 splits at the base of the stem, on top of the pumpkin..about 1 inch long, and about 1/16 wide and appeared to be more than a surface split...i immediately applied captan and filled the small cracks with it as well...any info or ideas would help...

8/26/2003 9:38:20 PM

dry em out with a fan if possible

8/26/2003 10:23:56 PM

Wood River, Nebraska

Brian, I've had two splits opposite each other the same place as you've described for three weeks now. They opened up big enough to put my thumb into. I first began covering ing them with latex caulk when they were the size your's are now, then fearing rot I uncovered them and dried them out with a fan. The jury's still out, there are times I believe keeping them covered and moist might prevent internal cracking... we'll have to wait and see.
dave=stewee

8/26/2003 10:35:15 PM

Syracuse, NY

if you have a handle, unlike me, on how fast it is growing,
perhaps you can balance how fast you want the fruit to continue growing with how the splitting is progressing in the stem...if you're on-target for a new personal best,
you might have to settle for that; splits into the fruit itself might end it for you. though i haven't done it my self, reducing foliage (like removing entire vines or leaves, not just tips) might slow it down; reducing watering/fertilizer for a few days; and, i wouldn't be surprised if simply shading a large portion of the plant would slow it down also. things to try from the brain of 'pal.
ummm, i'm sure you've noticed how bad those stem splits can be, starting to look like a redwood you can drive a car through! but still a fruit viable for competition! good luck--i hope you make out all right---'pal

8/27/2003 5:13:48 PM

WALES, NEW YORK

hey, thanks alot guys...big guy is growing at 15 # a day...fairly steady for about 2 weeks or so...i will reduce the h2o a bit...appreciate it!...is it possible to enter a pumpkin with splits in competition?

8/27/2003 5:37:02 PM

Key West, FL

You can enter them as long as the splits dont go into the cavity.

8/27/2003 5:42:58 PM

WALES, NEW YORK

thanks ben...these look kind of deep...not really sure just how far they go down...actually i'm afraid to look...

8/28/2003 9:31:08 PM