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Sydney, Australia

I have the 1260.4 Weir fruit at 752 pounds est on day 43, and growing steady! Its a good shot at 1000 pounds, if only I can stop both stem and blossom rot..... The stem rot is shallow and about the size of a thumbnail. The blossom rot is only one of the 5 lobes going squishy. What would be the best way to stop this?
I have ensured dryness to the areas, fungicide and fan blowing.... Any other ways to stop it? Would spraying wet calcium on the areas be better?
Any help would be much appreciated, would be great to see the fruit make it to the end! Thanks Ben

1/17/2006 5:53:57 PM

Ohio

Just incase you havnt tried this take some deconil (spelling?) and paint it on with a small brush,use it straight from the bottle with no water. Helped me ALOT last year Ben. When i used Captans in a past form it didnt seem to help and it stayed wet because of the sepage.

Brooks

1/17/2006 5:59:42 PM

SF Bay Area, California

Be sure to first scrape all the rotten, soft or discolored flesh off. Scrape until you find firm and unblemished flesh. If you don't do this and simply cover the affected area with fungicide, the rot will continue to thrive.

I use a small spoon to scrape away all signs of rot, then I brush the area with a 10% mixture of bleach and water with a toothbrush. Finally coat with fungicide and keep the area dry with a fan or blow dryer.

If possible, also let the affected area get some direct sunlight, this helps dry it out and also kills the bad bugs....

vince

1/17/2006 6:23:46 PM

Norton, MA

Whatever you do, DO NOT use baking soda. It seems like a great idea (a dry, edible, disinfecting powder) but in a couple hours it will make a crater right where you put it, and it won't heal. As mentioned above, scrape away all the bad stuff first. Good Luck! AleX Noel.

1/17/2006 6:46:30 PM

Syracuse, NY

yeah, i used Clorox and water at one tablespoon per gallon
of water on the 575 (950.4 X 767) to PREVENT any bad things from happening, and i was in agreement with the Clorox
(or, bleach) statement above as well. SOMEDAY, when i also have a
"spot-rot" (tm) situation, i am wonddering if, on a
cull fruit anyway, a nice propane torch would have any
beneficial effect on the rotten spot..it WOULD dry it out! EG

1/17/2006 7:45:48 PM

Montoursville, PA

Clean the area, of all soft material, dry it up, and mist with your Vigor Cal Phos. Keep a fan in the act if need be to keep it dry.

1/17/2006 7:58:13 PM

Sheridan . NY

boily get that thing uncovered and keep it shaded with the tarp egdes straight out like wings --go to 2 0zs to the gallon of water vcp one day and vc the next --scrap the rot and hit the spot 2 time a day---craig

1/17/2006 9:12:56 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Kinda hard to argue with anything pumpkin related that Craig would suggest, especially when I haven't actually tried it, but I do know from personal experience, the process outlined by Vince is exactly what has worked for me in the past and what I will do in the future when your situation arises again for me. Good luck Ben, BF

1/17/2006 10:54:55 PM

[email protected]

Vince's procedure is the only thing that has ever worked here but I've never tried the other methods.

1/17/2006 11:20:54 PM

Ohio

Yeah, id do what Vince said first Ben, then put the deconil on( Recomended to me from Tom Beachy). I never thought about using the bleech and water on splits before,thanks for the posting Vince.

Brooks

1/17/2006 11:29:49 PM

Sydney, Australia

Thanks very much guys for the timely reply! I have performed the surgery as Vince described, 10% bleach all scrubbed with a toothbrush. Fan is blowing, hope it will dry out and heal over. Half the blossom knob is gone, the stem spot is cleaned about the size of a golf ball. Will give it a mist with vigor cal phos and post a couple of close up pics. Thanks again, Ben

1/18/2006 4:05:51 AM

Western NY

Ben - the pics look great. great closeup shots, and it looks to me that the fruit is very healthy. as long as it stays dry, i don't think you have anything to worry about.

1/18/2006 8:21:40 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

open up those sides too....keep it dry but needs some fresh air flow...

1/18/2006 8:25:03 AM

Sydney, Australia

Good idea Chuck! Done, thanks!

1/18/2006 3:37:23 PM

Belmont, NH

I have been using discarded computer fans on my pumpkins that have problems. Some are 110v but the ones that are 12v will need an adapter. They are small about 4" sq and can be attached to a stick and then easily positioned at any angle you want.

1/22/2006 7:12:30 AM