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Location

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Reedsport,Or.

Can anyone tell me if you can water too much. I just lost my second pumpkin, it just blew at the stem.Both of my large pumpkins where just fine one day and then the next they were blown.They were about ten days apart from each other in blowing. This is a problem that keeps happening to me.This is the second year that this has happened to me. Any information would be great.

9/17/2009 10:43:26 PM

Winston Salem NC

If the ground is dry and the plant suddenly received ALOT of water then they can blow. I have a plant that I have set 26 pumpkins on now and after basketball size and up they split around the pumpkin like you cut the top off for a jack-o-lantern. So possibly could be the seed if it is the same plant. Just my 2 pennys though there are alot of growers on here that would have more answers than me.
Rick

9/18/2009 11:16:51 PM

Reedsport,Or.

Hey,thanks for your information.This has happened to me 2 years in a row now.It is on 2 different plants. I am looking for any information I can get. Thanks Rick.
Frank

9/18/2009 11:30:13 PM

Denver, CO

It will help to repostion a pumpkin so the stress on the stem at the vine is at a minimum. You should always strive to have the water content of the soil at an even amount, and never let it dry out completley bewteen waterings. How big is the pumpkin when it splits at the stem?

9/20/2009 11:55:38 PM

Reedsport,Or.

The pumpkins have been at around 600 pounds when they split.I never let the ground dry out. I am 2 miles from the ocean so I don't get a lot of heat. Lots of cool foggy days.

9/21/2009 10:57:01 PM

Frankfort Ohio

low potassium will cause thin walls

9/24/2009 7:05:02 PM

Anchorage, Alaska

Frank, from what I have read on the rest of the site - yes, you can water too much. The general idea I've come across is to throw down 1" per week over the whole patch. 2" in dry spells. Turn off your irrigation if you see heavy rains coming within a day or two to prevent blowouts.

Jed is right about the potassium. You might get your soil tested to find out.

Also, you might start putting sand beneath your pumpkin (when they are small) and make sure the stem stays dry.

10/14/2009 8:35:28 PM

I've read that if you spray a chelated calcium to the surface of the pumpkin it would help thicken the walls of the pumpkin. This could possibly prevent the spliting.

3/9/2010 9:49:51 PM