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Lexington, Ky

I have several mature fruit that have stems that are literally turning to mush and rotting. The vines are fine and the fruit is fine. This problem seems to start where the stem attaches to the vine and works its' way toward the fruit. I've tried all I know....liquid fungicides, dry Captan, fan....

Should I cut these off and bring em in? What good is a pumpkin without a stem?!

9/14/2005 1:54:06 PM

Nashville, TN

I've had the same problem here in TN... If I don't harvest them - the pumpkin turns to soup in a week or so!

Another interesting thing since Katrina dumped 6" in one night 2 weeks ago - 1/2 of my GP plants have shed a BUNCH of leaves and look terrible.. though they're still putting weight on their pumpkins! The other 1/2 of my GPs are doing wonderful with no signs of stress... any ideas??

9/14/2005 4:59:30 PM

Montoursville, PA

Oxygen deprivation. Fungal root problems as a result of to much water for to long a time period.

9/14/2005 5:29:42 PM

Decatur, IL

I had the same problem last year. It sounds like gummy stem blight, which progresses to black rot in the fruit. Although I didn't have it confirmed through laboratory testing, another grower told me my symptoms were similar to those that he experienced and his plants had gummy stem blight. I used Quadris at his suggestion, and so far I've had good results. Also, for mild stem rot problems, I scrape out the rotten spots and brush on some Daconil straight from the bottle to treat the area.
Charlie

9/14/2005 5:44:24 PM

Rhode Island

try this before you give up
1. trim away the soft area with a knife until you get to good tissue ( stem and/or pumpkin )
2. spray the area good with straight bleach
3. keep a fan on it 24-7 for a few days and dont let it get wet

9/14/2005 9:30:51 PM

Lexington, Ky

Doc, I think you're right (as usual!). The suspect plants are in the wettest area of the patch...the bottom of the slope. Man, this clay soil is teaching me volumes... Thanks guys.

9/15/2005 11:45:39 AM

Saugerties N. Y.

I have the same problem on my pumpkin looks like silicone coming out of my stem. I been scraping off bad tissue and treating with captan seems to be working some what hope my pumpkin last two more wks.

9/15/2005 10:43:43 PM