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Whidbey Island

My 600# (est) went down last week. It was a PB by at least 130#, so I'm not too upset, but I wish to learn from this episode. There were no splits, just a sudden collapse of the wall.

I would appreciate any and all comments about what you all believe might contribute to pumpkins rotting spontaneously. Genetics, growing techniques, fertilization, you name it, I'll read it.

I thank you in advance.

9/24/2003 11:42:44 PM

Itzetown City

To ripely comes rotten. My imagin is, that the fruit is ripe if she stops gaining. And as we all know if she is ripe she should be hold in storage temperature or rotting will set in. A lot of growers in this situation think they could activate gaining by keeping the fruit warm. I don´t know the exact chemical and biological reaction of rotting ( must have to do with the cellwalls ) but i imagin warm will favoured that process.
An other thing is, a lot of growers (me too) let sit the kids on the fruit to make some pics about and the fruit will take some unseen pressure points and begin to rotting like a fallen apple.
Werner

9/25/2003 4:09:21 AM

Oz

im going to try to cool my next pumpkin attempt when it stops growing.the sun is too much and i think it helps
them go to rot.

9/25/2003 9:23:20 AM

Puyallup, WA

Lee,
Perhaps, I was too abrupt in breaking the news to you about the impending demise of your personal best pumpkin.
Please forgive me if I was too harsh.
You are to be congratulated for a new "personal best". That is what we all aim for each and every Spring. If I had the answer as to why pumpkins quit growing and begin rotting, I'd be a rich person! :>)

Stan

9/26/2003 1:14:02 AM