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Eau Claire, WI

I had a pumpkin that developed a slit at about 500 lbs at the junction of the stem and the fruit (at one of the ribs - a common place for a split). The split was initially about 1/4 inch wide and went all the way into the cavity. I could insert a pencil all the way through the crack and into the cavity. I assumed it was history but I caulked it quickly with latex caulk. For the next several days the split widened but I kept filling in the gaps with caulk and the split eventually quit widening. Amazingly, the pumpkin kept growing. A couple weeks ago it hit 1100 lbs (est) and unfortunately developed a second large split on the top on the fruit at a deep rib. I caulked this one also but the fruit quit growing and this weekend rotted out.

The interesting thing was that when I cut it open to salvage a few seeds, I dissected the area around the original stem split and it had completely healed over underneath the caulk. There was about 3 inches of intact pumpkin material between the caulk and the interior cavity. The lesson is to never give up on a split untill the pumpkin stops growing. Of course, sealing the cavity quickly is mandatory. It probably helped that there was initially a fairly thick wall around the area of the split.

8/28/2006 1:47:21 PM

interesting... never heard of it before, but i suppose it's perfectly possible.... cool beans Jim

8/28/2006 3:47:12 PM

Montoursville, PA

I may have the same thing going on here. I'm one week and a day past the appearance of the hole on the segment line of a Dill Ring. The sucker shows no rot and is still growing nicely. No sneaky bad odors. My neck is warming up a bit because I called it a wipe out when it happened. I was sure it would be going down. It may yet or may be already and I just do not know it. Geese!

8/28/2006 5:08:01 PM

Mocksville, NC

I'm in the same Boat with my 552 Sherwood,

8/28/2006 8:12:11 PM

[email protected]

I wish that would happen to mine, but I don't think it will. I too am getting huge growth numbers in my 898 after finding 3 cracks in a rib, but to think they will heal over is like asking a miracle from the big man upstairs. I actually am in posession of a set of scales now, and am trying to figure out when is the best time to make a break for a weight before any rot sets in. Do I continue until the growth stops?

8/28/2006 10:39:55 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Doc,,,,,,keep that Reiss going! Good Luck.

8/29/2006 8:34:16 AM

Ohio

Jim, that thing healed up perfect. Looked like it was just hanging on by a thread holding that stem on the pumpkin. Did you join the broken parts together for it to heal that way? or did you throw your arms up and walk away thinking it was a done pumpkin only to return a week later and see it was still growing,lol. That stem couldnt have healed any better,I know I would have pulled it that day.

Brooks

8/29/2006 6:28:26 PM

Ohio

Sorry Jim I posted on the wrong post! gezz!! whats wrong with me today! Carry on men! as you where.,,,

8/29/2006 6:30:29 PM