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Gig Harbor, Wa

A few days ago, I found a longitudinal split in the stem of one of my set pumpkins. It seems to be healing up fine. Then today, I had the stem on another pumpkin show a similar split. I just posted some photos in my growers diary, (Harbor Grower).Could this be from stem stress or is it somthing else? If anyone can tell me what is going on and offer any suggestions on how to prevent or treat this, It would be greatly appreciated.

7/28/2010 10:28:19 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Dust w/ a fungicide, (Captan) try and keep it dry...cover and fan if possible, and length wize splits are smaller prblm, than cracks across the stem. IMHO!!! The expansion of the stem, at the rates that these monsters grow, is a fairly ordinary occurence. Some type of rain proof structure over the top will help!!! HG, have you cut tap roots on the main and propped it up to allow it to stay level w/ stem? Pic's would help!!! Peace, Wayne

7/29/2010 1:04:20 AM

Gig Harbor, Wa

Wayne, Pictures of the splits are now up in my Harbor Grower Diary. Now I need to decide to try and go with the Nice pumpkin that has the split or cull it and go with a really late set on the same plant that is about 16" CC at 10 days?

7/29/2010 12:00:55 PM

Newfoundland & Lab, Canada

I'd hold on to the one with the stem split for awhile longer before you decide to cull. From what I've seen, with treatment and air circulation they can usually heal.

7/29/2010 11:40:24 PM

Wi

I had longitudinal stem splits on nearly all my young pumpkins this year. NO fungicide or fans and they healed up fine. It just made them tougher.

7/30/2010 9:07:23 AM