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Ga.

What causes? I'm having problems with almost every fruits stem splitting with the grain..Sulfur appears to heal as they have no drainage,or wettness... When do you decide when a split is bad enough to cull?

5/11/2004 11:42:31 AM

San Diego

Most of these splits are genetic if it is occuring regularly on the same plant and the stem is not being stressed in a bad position. Keep them dry and pasted with the sulfer. I had this problem last year on my 1098 ciliberto.I battled many splits and they eventually healed over just before going into the pumpkin flesh. If the splits end up going into the pumpkin flesh, it's not good. If they stay on the stem only, should be fine. If it gets in the flesh, keep dry and paste with sulfer. It's not officially over until it goes into the cavity, but it's not fun to deal with. Jim

5/11/2004 12:11:26 PM