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Ray, North Dakota

I found a tiny split today on my largest pumpkin, in a rib right where the pumpkin meets the stem. Damage is about 1/2" wide and 1/4" deep. I dried the area and applied straight daconil. Pumpkin gained 24 lbs last night, and the split was not there yesterday, will it continue?

I posted a picture in my diary, but it won't be on just yet. Please read my questions with the picture of the split and email me or post the answers here.

I feel a bit of failure here, but I do have a spare about 1/3 the size of this one. First year if it ends at 386 lbs, I would be very happy if I can keep it until Halloween.

At around day 37 can I get good seeds from this, and if I have to cut it from the vine, will it keep until October?

8/17/2006 6:17:15 PM

San Jose [email protected]

good seeds may be had, but the longer the better, also if you cut it off, take it out of the patch, to somewhere preferably cool and dark, assuming air doesnt get in the cavity it should last

8/17/2006 6:27:36 PM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

If the split is only 1/4" deep, you might be OK. The stem end is the thickest part of the pumpkin and hopefully it won't get to the cavity. My son's pumpkin has a split like that last year that wasn't a problem: the one near the blossom was. Don't give up on it yet.

8/17/2006 6:42:12 PM

Montoursville, PA

Hang in there.........it may heal and you will still be OK.
Try to keep the area dry. Rig up some protection and put a fan on it if you can.

8/17/2006 8:52:39 PM

Ray, North Dakota

You know what, I find that the ten same people respond to tragedies like this (rookie problems etc.), and I appreciate that alot.

Day by day monitoring is what I am committed to now. Worried yes, but I know if I have a question, it will be watched and answered quickly.

As I do this and get more knowledge of growing these damn things, I will do the same.

I will measure the depth of the split a couple of times a day and keep the experts posted. Keep looking for updates here, and the post in my diary. North Dakota record is 615 lbs and I want that sucker bad (personal competitive issues). Right now I will be putting a band-aid on the wound and reading a soothing story to Tony (my pumpkin) to get him through this.

Lord Calvert is comforting me now, so I will get some good sleep tonight......

In closing I will say.....SHIT! (Exscuse my indecency)

Murphy's law I know, but I didn't expect to get one even close to this big.

8/17/2006 8:54:34 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Herbie,
Please do not feel like a failure. Here is some perspective. I now have 4 "punkins" going. The biggest one is about the size of a 16" softball. Everything before that aborted. These guys were pollinated on 8/6 and later. Why? I am new to this and screwed up big time. Plus, i have limited space/sun etc........... The point being, you are not in as bad a shape as you think. there are worse (me). Of course, there are MUCH better too. Take Mike Frantz for instance. The guy lost a 1010 lber in EARLY AUGUST!!!! We (at least most of us) can aspire to be disapointed to lose a pumpkin like that. Guys Like Mike are what we strive for. Keep the faith and grow a monster (even if it is next year). :)
I am an Octoberfest guy myself (even if its only August)

8/17/2006 9:07:20 PM

Deer Park WA

herbie, how is the "slack" in the vines at the stem juncture (both sides of the fruit)? Do you have the vines blocked up to relieve stress?? Is the fruits shoulders pushing against the vines ??? Day 37 is early for mature seeds, is the fruit split into the cavity? You can calk it up if so and quit fertilizing and over watering it and you may get it to keep untill the big Halloween dance, but thats 2-months away.... How about this, try not to be a super hero your rookie year out and just be happy with a humble giant for the kids. Also Try posting your important yet all to common questions on the "New Growers" message board and you will probably get a whole buncha growers responding other than the same ten growers you refrenced above... Good luck

8/18/2006 1:28:15 AM

Ray, North Dakota

The split this morning hasn't changed. Should I try to seal it with some caulk or sulpher paste now?

8/18/2006 8:26:42 AM

Ray, North Dakota

My stem is being supported, and I am always looking for more stuff to stick under it as it pulls up.

Lots of rain lately, and I haven't fertilized in over 2 weeks.

New growers forum is a good idea, but it doesn't get the hits that this room does. I'll stick here.

8/18/2006 8:29:40 AM

ordinary,VA

Herbie,
I had a bad spot on my best pumpkin two years back.
I used sulpher paste to treat the bad spot.
I cleaned the spot everyday with a small paint brush and added more sulpher daily.
with all the moisture coming out of the bad spot i went away from the paste and started adding just the sulpher.
everyday i would clean out the moist sulpher and add more sulpher powder.
got it under control but the wound was over 4in wide and inch deep.
the pumpink made it.631lbs.
so hang in there and best of luck hope you become the North Dakota Champ.

8/18/2006 6:36:31 PM