From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Chesterfield, MO

Pumpkin #1: Grew to about 250 lbs then just randomly got soft on the blossom end and rotted. NO signs of cracks, internal problems, etc.

Pumpkin #2: My prize fruit, grew to 850 lbs in 45 days, then went from 30 lbs/day down to 0 over about 7 days. The skin began getting splotchy. In particular there is a large section of growing creamy white on one of the soulders. Again NO signs of any real damage (unless something is going on underneath - but I do have it on sand and paper mill belt fabric)

What on earth could be causing this? I am beyond frustrated. I now have no competition fruit.

Does anyone have any ideas?? I can post pictures if it would help.

Thanks

Steve

8/21/2007 7:38:53 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

Steve I know its been very hot there and it may of cooked. Did you have a white or light colored sheet over it or on it to keep it cool?

8/21/2007 8:10:21 PM

ordinary,VA

post pictures if you can.
maybe someone can be of help.

man im real sorry to hear about your bad luck.

8/21/2007 8:14:17 PM

Rhode Island

more likely than not you had or have a disease situation in the soil.
pumpkins dont just get soft and rot at this time of year unless something is wrong in the vascular system. foaming,possibly something internal? how were the leaves on these plants? were they all good or some sections going limp?
id have a leaf tissue test done and put all questions to bed
pap

8/21/2007 8:25:14 PM

Chesterfield, MO

Okay I just posted some pictures in my diary, so they should be available once they are approved.

The pumpkin was covered throughout the day by a hoop shade tarp. Admittedly some sunlight snuck through on the sides, but the majority of it was being blocked.

Pap, I had a soil disease analysis done in the fall which came back clean. The leaves now are showing some signs of disease, but about a month ago when the 250# one rotted, there were no signs of leaf disease. I dont mind getting another analysis, but what to test? Leaves only? or roots, vines, soil?

Other theories?

8/21/2007 8:40:27 PM

Chesterfield, MO

Link to the pictures: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=72993

8/21/2007 8:42:29 PM

Ohio

Steve, Just a wild guess but I think you might have something going on under your pumpkin, maybe a mouse made a home inside your pumpkin from the bottom maybe? Are you getting a weird smell around the bottom of your pumpkin?

Brooks

8/21/2007 10:11:15 PM

Crossett Arkansas

I lost my 400lb to I guess a mouse. It was growing fine, then it stopped growing. I found a 6 inch round by 1 inch deep spot right at ground level. when I cut it open to get the seeds I found a perfect little tunnel right into the cavity. I told my two cats " OKAY y'all thats strike one".

8/21/2007 11:29:52 PM

[email protected]

The white color is a symptom of the rotting flesh being shaded & or recently killed. The color doesn't help us identify the cause.

Alternaria, Fusarium, etc can all cause fruit rots. Low Calcium might contribute.

Like pap said, have the vines tested by a local lab with local experience if at all possible.

8/21/2007 11:57:36 PM

Western NY

saw the pics. cut it now and get a weight if it's still solid enough to lift, because it probably won't be for long.

8/22/2007 9:21:25 AM

southwest MO

Green family,
Sorry to hear that!! You may still have a state record fruit there... get it to a scale. Keep those melons going. Hope to see you at Republic.

8/22/2007 9:32:22 AM

South East

i had this one a plant to, it grew a pumkin couple feet out wich is not effected and further on out i got exactly the same looks as you had..in my case it showed in the leafst to, i have to agree with pap that this is probably a disease of somekind,,

8/22/2007 10:38:40 AM

Long Island,New York

A rotting fruit on a scale doesn't make a state record. Usually they have to be sound fruit.

8/22/2007 12:25:01 PM

southwest MO

LI pumpkin, You took me to literal... I meant you may have one bigger than the record of 838... Would be nice to know if its not to soft to move.

8/22/2007 3:04:29 PM

Chesterfield, MO

Thanks for the responses.

We did an autopsy of sorts tonight to verify the integrity of the structure. What we found was that the inner cavity was completely sound and that the fruit was rotting from the OUTSIDE - IN. Does this lend towards a skin disease? or..?

8/22/2007 9:48:26 PM

Williamsport, Pa.

had the same thing here happen to me on two fruits.. took pics to the penn state coop. hope to have an answer soon .. will post when i find out.. 998 at day 30- 349.stopped growing . first seen little white freckles then turned into white bloches.. rotted from outside inwards.

8/23/2007 5:06:48 AM