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Knopp, Germany

The scenario is that this is my LAST competiiton AG from 7, all the others have split, rotted or are only 200-300 pounds.

I have a left to right stem split on my 523 olsen. The split was barely noticeable last night, and todayis about 1 inch in length on both sides of the stem. I can probe about 1.5 inches into the cavity, but she is still solid. She is still growing about 8 lbs a day and should hit 900 lbs soon. Our weigh off is not till 1 October. Oh yeah, this is a new PB (if she stays together) by over 100 pounds.

I have 2 thoughts:

1- Damn the torpedos and full speed ahead. A DMG over 900 is better then an official one less then 900.

2- Forget thougth one and cut off all side vines to stop all growth. Leave the main vine alone to try to keep it from losing any weight.

Any and all input is very much welcome.

thanks!
owen

9/11/2006 9:58:34 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

cold storage until the weigh off?

9/11/2006 10:52:54 AM

Indiana

owen, I would say the stem split would have to get a whole lot worse before you start to worry about it. My 1097 split at about 350 lbs, got a few inches wide, probably 4 or 5 inches deep, and still had a bunch of flesh left.

I suggest painting the apex of the split, and everywhere else with Daconil and then getting a good fan on it to dry it out

Tom

9/11/2006 10:56:56 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

What about relieving the pressure on the stem split by splitting the stem back to the vine?

9/11/2006 11:12:15 AM

Austria

Owen I really hope the best for your fruit. It just HAS to stay sound.

Here is a link, where Quinn Werner suggests cutting the stem alongside to relieve some pressure. Just a thought.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=169284

Being a newbie I do not consider myself qualified to give advices, but what I would do is cutting off maybe half of the plant to slow growth. Safe version here.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Heino

9/11/2006 11:15:15 AM

Knopp, Germany

I have decided to leave the side vines on.

My very first thought was cold storage Tom, may still have to go with that idea.

Thanks for the advice about how far it could still split before entry into the cavity Tom B, I had a 845 this year that went 3 weeks before it broke through at 560 pounds, I will keep that in mind.

No stem stress at all Shannon and Heino, I can move the main vine 2-3 inches easily with my hand on both sides of the stem.

One note, this shows you how crazy I am. I just got off the phone with a industry scale company here. They are sending me a hanging scale for about 500 US dollars that is calobrated up to wieghts of 1100 pounds. It will be here on Thursday. If this split gets any bigger I am cutting and weighing it, I want an offical weight.

owen

9/11/2006 12:21:23 PM

Netherlands

Keep that thing going Owen. There are some companies that rent out those scales but they are few are far between. I spent months looking for a hanging scale and it turns out a fellow at my community garden has one at his work which I can use for free.
You usually have to have them certified every few years. I'm not sure what the GPC rules are on that if you only use it once or twice a year. It's more than 100 euros to certify them.
Now that you have a scale, maybe you can start a GPC site :)

9/11/2006 3:35:52 PM

Mocksville, NC

mix sulfur, and captan together put it on dry, and hvy , and let her grow, my 2 cents

9/12/2006 6:41:05 AM

Knopp, Germany

Thanks for the input Rog. I am letting her grow.

The application to dry the split area seems to be working. The split has gotten about 1/4 inch bigger since yesterday, but still solid. I am monitoring very closely here, the scale should be here in 2 more days, she just needs to hang in there for me.

How deep do you guys suggest I allow the split to get before weighing her. Tom B suggested 5-6 inches. Being on the safe side, I was thinking more along the lines of 4-5 inches. Thoughts?

9/12/2006 6:54:11 AM

Mocksville, NC

My sq was split 2 inc deep 9inc long i cut it off, weighed just to find out i had 7 inc left until core breach crap! So i just dont know, but she'll hang in there for 2 days im sure. good luck Owen

9/12/2006 7:11:06 AM

my 125 Wolf has been growing almost 40 days with a 3way split,,check my diary posts since August 1st for info and the method I have used

9/12/2006 7:17:00 AM

Sophia WV

Keep it going Owen and I wish you the Best!
Robert

9/12/2006 8:32:16 AM