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San Diego

the stump on my 950 is toast. I took drastic action to cut off the rot, thought I did a good job getting rid of it. it came back in 2 days and the whole area is going soft. pretty depressing to see your stump rot off 2 days before pollinating with a 2 month old plant that is big and aggressive. My only option is to cut the main a foot or two from the stump and see if the plant survives on secondary roots and hope the rot doesn't spread. I will loose my first 3 secondaries too, they are close to the stump. I must have the worst luck of any grower I know, 3 years in a row where I have had catostrophic disasters out of my control. 3 years ago, my pumpkin split at day 40, then last year a gopher took me out, started over, got mosaic and was blanked. Then this year, my stump. I have to vent a little, so much work all for nothing. I know I could grow a biggie with just a little good fortune, but not to be once again. ok, done venting:) Jimmy

6/14/2005 10:15:46 PM

Rhode Island

dust

last year we lost our base and all the main but a 3 to 4 ft piece and two sides before the fruit when we were at 100 lbs

ended up over 900 lbs so dont give up the ship
allow additional third stage growth to develope off the sides you have left before the fruit and keep the main after the fruit going as long as you can

6/14/2005 10:51:44 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hang in there Buddy...Had the same luck for years not quitting now, sooner or later I'll grow something...Thought I had everything under control this year but not to be..woodchucks are wiping me out...as Al sez..wait til next year!....I know it hurts when you work that hard only to have some external power git ya....pathogens/soil sterilize, deer /deer fence/ wife/new house, deer/new deer fence/ and now the GD woodchucks...besides the worst starting batches ever...Yikes!...I will be back...SO WILL YOU!..It's like fishing every time you throw the line in it might be the big one...just a little more prep..good luck, keep your chin uo..everyone Knows your crazy for growing these anyway...GrowEmBig! Chuck

6/14/2005 10:55:28 PM

porterville, calif.

I was wiped out 3 times last year. But im going for it again this year. I have lost 1 plant to a gopher this year, but have 3 doing real good. You still have plenty of time to replant if you need to. Hang in there!!

6/15/2005 12:25:36 AM

San Diego, Ca.

Darn! Sorry to hear about your stump Jim. I just saw your post...too late right now to call you. I'll call you tomorrow.
Get another seed in the ground ASAP! You still have time. Remember I started this late before and had a pumpkin in Oct.
DON'T GIVE UP! I'll help you with anything you need.

6/15/2005 12:52:05 AM

Ohio

Jim, thats a big time Bummer,Im really sorry to hear that,you deserve a nice size pumpkin and if God has anything to do with it next year I think he will cut you a break. Good luck Jim.

Alex,You need a electric fence!! I bought one at a good price this year, the 5 mile unit was under 50 bucks,I hope your luck changes too,you also deserve a break on the bad luck.

Brooks

6/15/2005 5:56:44 AM

Hayes, Virginia

Jimmy sorry to hear about your Bad luck.
hang i there still might be able to pull
out big one best of luck to you.
Ed

6/15/2005 2:58:28 PM

San Diego

thanks for the kind words guys. Today I cut off the stump about 8 or 9 inches up the main vine. When I cut off the base of the stump by the ground, the middle of the stump was full or fluid, pretty sure that's not normal and part of the rot. Anyone know the chances of the rot spreading? The plant is still alive and kicking even without the stump, so who knows, if it lives and the rot is gone, maybe I'll get a medium sized pumpkin, but I won't get my hopes up until I see the plant staying healthy:) The plant is much smaller now, but we'll see. Jimmy

6/15/2005 4:17:10 PM

Oz

Clean the plant stump with water,try rooting hormone nd some seed starting soil.

6/15/2005 5:32:33 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Jimmy, others might know better than me but I would avoid susceptible points of entry and spread of any spores being released into the healthy vine area. After trimming try to apply captan, you can mix some with water to form a paste on the good vine end or lightly dust the affected area. You could also consider gentle & selective removal of the worst bits of the crown.

6/15/2005 6:22:04 PM

[email protected]

Thiophanate-methyl drenched & foliar.

6/15/2005 10:03:47 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Jimmy,

Man, I feel for you but don't give up. Keep on without the stump and learn something...or take Vince's nice idea of starting over. I started again just this last week on my 2nd season.

Ben

6/16/2005 12:24:51 AM

Joliet, IL

duster,
last year both of my big boys split and my third plant never got a chance at a main pumpkin cuz a broken main tip.
two of my plants this year just snapped off on the main on a 52 degree morning with 35 mph wind gusts after a week of 90 plus temps. had a nice little one abort last week on a 94 degree day. sooner or later, with hard work and some better luck we will get some nice ones. take it on the chin, dust it off (nice play on words huh) and keep plugging away brother. that is all we can do.
you are not alone my friend and i wish you better luck,
shazzy

6/16/2005 6:02:39 PM