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Mill Bay, British Columbia

I have noticed a very small soft spot on the stem of one of my fruit. What could it be and what should I do. I'm hoping to keep it on the vine for at least 1 more month

9/6/2003 3:26:05 PM

I have soft spots on a stem too. I have been removing the parts that turn mushy and putting on Daconil sometimes, and a bleach mix (5:1 with water). It seems to slow the spread of the mush. Also a fan to dry out the area.

9/6/2003 4:05:37 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks Brigitte. What causes it? Daconil,is that a fungicide? Looks like our pumpkins are giving the old growers a run for their money.

9/6/2003 4:11:22 PM

Oz

i used powdered sulfur,,,stinks and drys up slugs also

9/6/2003 5:16:37 PM

Spanish Ontario

HI NSB had small spot on mty 845 scraped it off an put garden sulfer on it an plenty keep it dry i use fan mine healed up . My 2 cents worrh KEN

9/6/2003 6:13:48 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks Brigitte, MCPumpkin and mudflap. Did what you said. Mushy part was not too deep and applied sulphur. I,m assuming it will scab over like other things have. Is that correct? Now we have thunder showers, I'll re-dust if the powder washes off.

9/6/2003 7:05:03 PM

Key West, FL

That could be your problem, I would cover the pumpkin or atleast the stem, you want it to stay completly dry or it will start to rot again.

9/6/2003 7:09:55 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks Ben, I've covered the area and when the thunder showers blow towards Seattle, you can let me know.

Glenn

9/6/2003 8:03:09 PM

Whidbey Island

I had a rotten spot at a split on my vine about 8 feet from the base. I figured it was just too wet. I quit watering and fertilizing in the area and put a little plastic tepee over it to keep the rain water off. It dried out nicely and the pumpkin beyond the rotten split is doing just fine, gaining 10# or more per day. I think keeping things dry this time of year is very important

9/6/2003 11:04:19 PM

Whidbey Island

I had a rotten spot at a split on my vine about 8 feet from the base. I figured it was just too wet. I quit watering and fertilizing in the area and put a little plastic tepee over it to keep the rain water off. It dried out nicely and the pumpkin beyond the rotten split is doing just fine, gaining 10# or more per day. I think keeping things dry this time of year is very important

9/6/2003 11:05:58 PM

New Brunswick

I noticed fruit flies around one of my pumpkins stem. Sure enough, it had stem rot. I scraped the mushy stuff off with my jackknife and applied sulpher (stuff from the drugstore) and it kept right on rotting. I decided to try "wonderdust" it is stuff to stop bleeding and remove proud flesh on livestock. It contains lodoform, potassium alum, flowers of sulfur, tannic acid, activated charcoal, copper sulfate, and hydrated lime. (sounds like garden stuff to me) *grin*. I dusted it on and crossed my fingers. The rot had spread right to the base near the pumpkin itself. I lifted its tarp to let the sun at it. I have no idea whether it will work. There was another slight soft spot on another pumpkin stem. I dusted it as well. What causes this rot anyway??

9/7/2003 9:49:05 PM

Grants Pass, Oregon

Does this rot on the stem after you take care of it with whatever was needed to fix it does this cause a problem for weigh-off time?

9/9/2003 3:32:50 PM