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Monrovia, CA

There is a hole in the side of the stem of my pumpkin where there used to be a leaf attached. It's right at the junction to the vine. I dug out the soft stuff and stuck my finger in...it goes right down the center of the stem towards the fruit. Am I to assume my season is over? Should I try to caulk the hole? What if I cut the stem off completely and clean the whole site and dust with sulfer. I know it will lose weight until the weigh-off but I might not lose the entire pumpkin. Suggestions?

Thanks!!
Autumnleaf

9/17/2006 1:48:53 PM

[email protected]

Image here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=57223

I'd say that you need a long piece of grass to "feel" for the end of the hole.

9/17/2006 1:59:58 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Isn't there normally a hole that goes into the stem, but not into the cavity of the pumpkin? I think this may be a normal characteristic of maxima sp. squash.

9/17/2006 2:25:35 PM

Monrovia, CA

Doug, I'm tending to agree with you...I think there is naturally a center 'cavity' in the stem that ends at pulpy wall which is the pumpkin. That said, should I plug this hole or leave it open to dry?
Thanks SO much for your imput!!

9/17/2006 3:53:22 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Stem splits are rarely fatal. If it does not go all the way into the cavity I would leave it alone to dry out and it should be fine. I know some growers that try to spray the inside area with a calcium solution but I don't think this is necessary.

Yesterday I saw several fruit that had stem splits and some with multiple compound splits. All fruit were judged to be sound. The immediate shoulder area around the stem always contains the highest concentrations of calcium found in the fruit and is usually the thickest most dense walled part of the pumpkin.

9/17/2006 4:50:40 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I find it hard to believe that was a leaf...but keep it dry..the stem certainly looks long enough..that if water is not sitting in the stem you will make it...That is a wierd spot for a circular hole..Good Luck! GrowEmBig!

9/17/2006 5:42:49 PM

SF Bay Area, California

A stem has a cavity, just like a vine. The stem cavity terminates before it reaches the pumpkin proper. The trick is to keep rot from starting inside the stem cavity once it is exposed to air. Do not plug it at this point, it needs to breath. Maybe you could blow some sulfer powder in there with a chicken baster or an earwax removal bulb. Another option is to cut a slit the length of the stem cavity to open it up enough to keep dry.

9/17/2006 6:38:22 PM

Monrovia, CA

Thankyou all so much for the suggestions!! I figure the fan will be on 'till the end of the season (whenever that may be!) and have blown Sulpher powder as far in as I can with a turkey baster.

Good luck with your pumpkins!
Autumnleaf

9/18/2006 12:10:22 PM