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PA

Hi everybody, as usual I could use some of your valuable info. I'm growing a Dill 875. I selfpollinated a 5 segment blossom on June 24, it now has been growing about 4" a day for the last few days and it's 42" around. Early on we had a lot of rain and it pooled on the stem, a small part of it turned brown.I treated it with captan paste and Zero Tolerance. It seems hard and definatly no worse but still brown. The Pumpkin so far has a wonderful shape and the rest of the pollinations are at least 1.5 weeks behind. I have a good feeling about this pumpkin, great stem angle,and position in the vine. Would a brown mark on the stem disqualify it at a weighoff? Should I get rid of it now before I get any more attached to it? Will it make it more likely to go bad later in the season. I know it will come down to my decision but I'd be interested to get some opinions if it were your pumpkin. Good Luck everbody, Thanks for all the help getting me to this point.
Amy

7/7/2000 9:48:37 PM

Western Pa.

Hi Amy! A brown spot should not disqualify you at weighoff if it makes it that long, unless there are holes all the way into the seed cavity. Disinfect the brown spot with some diluted clorox, and after it dries spray with hair spray, this will seal it from the outside forces. Any open wounds or splits that occur, and believe me they will on the stem, dust with captan, on small holes I soak a cottonball with captan and push it into the hole. Captan dries and flakes off, so you'll need to re-apply.If your new pumpkin is going to rot, it will probably advance quickly. Your 42" pumpkin, if it continues growing as it is, could end up to be 600-800#! Good luck!

7/8/2000 10:43:57 AM

PA

Thanks for the help. I just can't get rid of this pumpkin so I will do my best to keep it going. As of 6:00 PM July 8 it was 46" I'm holding my breath already.
Amy

7/8/2000 9:33:57 PM