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Watlington, UK

Well it's happened to me again, this one at DAP43 1123lb so what looked to be a very promising season is over.

The reasoning behind BES have been documented, lack of Ca at the blossom end, sudden surge of irrigation water, but primarily I think it's a genetic trait where the fruit simply doesn't create enough strong tissue in that area to support the swelling fruit.

Anyone who has had a pumpkin that has succumbed to BES will agree that the sudden destruction of a promising pumpkin is nothing less than soul destroying.

We have loads of data on massive pumpkins, but very little data on pumpkins that have failed due to BES. I believe that if such data could be accumulated and assessed, then the rogue genetic lines could be identified and phased out.

It was only in the recent past that a 1000lb pumpkin would be star of the show. Perhaps together we can make BES a thing of the past too.

[Last edit: 07/15/26 6:01:00 AM]

7/15/2026 5:59:07 AM

Connecticut, USA

I could setup a "weigh-off" dedicated to early damaged fruit. When a fruit is brought to a weigh-off and ends up being judged as damaged, that pumpkin gets into the data as DMG. There is no reason why an early BES could not be included as well.

7/15/2026 6:30:27 AM

Nova Scotia

Always a tough pill to swallow, after all the hard work, expense, so forth to come across your prized specimen with a BES staring at you first thing! Sorry to hear. Sudden surges in growth due to weather conditions has always been my main reason as to why these BES happen. Marrows and field pumpkins often happens as well. However growers are forcing these AGs harder than ever thus increasing the risks of splits. I understand the "Grow or Blow" attitude with some growers, but after all said and done, what's the point if you don't have nothing to show at the end of a long season?

That is why with some and their massive plants, early starts now I suggest 2 pumpkins per plant, the second one set couple weeks later to act as a "shock absorber" and back up perhaps?

Far as genetics concerned some top growers seek seeds from exceptional thick heavy ones to decrease the risk of splits. Unfortunately splits have always been part of the game. I know in the past, during 1980s we lost our top 3 one year.

7/15/2026 8:32:50 AM

Nova Scotia

Good idea Ken, maybe start and set up some sort of data section on splits. Eventually may see a common thread as to genetics? Also along with DAP with each one as to see a critical time for growers to be prepared for? Good luck just another job for your busy schedule lol.

7/15/2026 8:58:53 AM

Jericho Vermont

I am sorry Gerald. unfortunately, seasoning ending splits are all too common and we have never completed a season with the 4 pumpkins we start with. A good year and we lose just 1.

Excellent idea Ken! If growers actually used it the numbers would be high I believe. I am hoping to keep my name off of that data base if all possible though. LOL

7/15/2026 12:05:04 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

i think 9t could be the weight pressing down on the blossom which has the thinnest rind so this year ill ''cindarella'' them all

7/15/2026 1:10:14 PM

Plymouth, MN

I think one of the great limitations of our hobby is that our genetics tracking focuses on the successes but there is no record of the failures, other than word of mouth. Tracking outcomes like BES and sterile plants could lead to cleaner genetics and more long term success.
It'd be awesome to track the outcome of every seed that saw dirt/serious grower effort.

7/15/2026 9:54:43 PM

Watlington, UK

@cjb this is true.

For example, seed A from a 2000lb pumpkin might have produced progeny that weighed 2500lb.

Meaning the seed would be in great demand.

But what if it was known that the same seed had produced 10 pumpkins that suffered a BES? Would it be in the same demand? With many other seeds to choose from, I think not.

Gathering BES data will take time and effort but with the right will it can be done.

7/16/2026 5:04:49 AM

Brooktondale, New York

I am suspecting that the big dawg (heavy hitters) chat about those details, in back rooms, in corners, on secret burner phones. Tracking growth characteristics is a great way to elevate the game. I have often wondered about the whole grow. Not just the pumpkin. Germination rates? Recently some high dollar seeds never came up. Did the plant have a quality structure? Or was it missing 3/4 of the secondaries? One that always gets me is the sensitivity to the sun. Does it burn like a bastard? Did it burn at 83F or 92F? Disease resistance? This would require people to be truthful about the grows. Every single person that grows a kin wants to get the next 1501, 1885, 2183, 2144, 2365, 2560, 2731. From what I have gathered many of those top shelf genetics also suffered any number of growth issues. The one's that made it out are now in current seeds selections. I would love to have more data on seeds so I don't waste a summer of my life on some sun burnt plant that goes 15% light. A place where growers who don't have the heavyweights on speed dial could access really important information to help improve genetics across the board. There is a lot more to growing a genetic line than the final fruit. As they say "A high tide raises all boats"

7/16/2026 8:22:25 AM

Australia [email protected]

I don't usually get to many that suffered from bes but I got it in both my main plants last season I put it down to over feeding as I did do that and have seen these seeds grown previously with no bes growers today are feeding to the max I think and agree with Ian paton when he said its all about roots and shoots if your soil is dialed in its easy to add to much as the season progresses and I have read literature that says pumpkins aren't big feeders

7/16/2026 7:26:02 PM

Plymouth, MN

The trouble is you need a seed to be grown by a decent number of competitive growers for you to get enough useful information as to whether the genetics are problematic. This is definitely shared among some in the community (e.g. that the 2144 was very boom or bust), but there's no repository.

7/17/2026 10:46:17 AM

Grittyville, WA

Gerald UK, I love that you posted tissue the tissue tests. Its definitely a challenge to get calcium up. Also I think the low copper became an issue. I have even had tomatoes split because of low boron/copper/calcium. Whether its tomatoes or pumpkins, the fruit has such a huge demand. I think you'll be right up there with the Patons if you figure out how to fully meet the demand. Also the occurrence of splits should go down.

7/17/2026 4:57:42 PM

Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, Quebec, Canada

what seed is it i know that the 2365 wlikes to split and essentially most of the 2145/1885.5 decendents 2641 doesnt look like it does so much

7/17/2026 7:08:04 PM

Watlington, UK

@cjb yes you are right of course, but for anything to be statistically significant you'd need a decent sample size and everything grown under the same conditions.
We don't have anything like that, it's impossible, so we just have to do what we can.

7/18/2026 5:00:35 AM