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New Hampshire

Many of our stems are developing splits in them. Is anyone else experiencing this in the northeast? I am wondering if it is the weather or something I am doing.

7/19/2004 9:23:58 PM

Key West, FL

splits with the stem or across it?

7/19/2004 9:46:22 PM

Western Pa.

I have been noticing small cracks on the vines at every leaf node on some of my plants this year. Anyone ever see this?

7/19/2004 10:09:10 PM

[email protected]

Our 845 Bobier cutting splits secondary vines laterally like crazy. Fewer than half are without lateral splits. The main on our 842 Eaton split diagonally half way through this week. The break was 8 feet past the last fruitset & the thing is still growing so for now it doesn't really concern me. I might terminate it there anyway.

7/19/2004 10:11:00 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Interesting...3 of 4 plants of mine have stem splits on every small fruit. Cold and rainy when it was pollinated and it stayed that way for a week. Hmmm..

7/19/2004 11:19:56 PM

Enumclaw WA

kilrpumpkins, I had one plant that split at several (but not all) leaf nodes. The split was across the vine anywhere from 5% to 50% of the diameter of the vine. I would call it more of a non-oozing, exploding kind of split. I have a couple of secondaries that did not split and on my "new main" (i.e. the real main exploded/split bad enough that I cut it off) I have a new fruit growing like crazy and it is about 12 inches beyond a 15% split. We'll see what happens. I cut back on my foiliar spray totally and that seems to have helped, but has not eliminated the problem.

7/19/2004 11:41:01 PM

Key West, FL

killer, what plant is that? Do the cracks go across or with the vine? I have been noticing this on some vines of my 880 plant, I think its because the vines are too brittle in the morning for it's own weight?

7/20/2004 3:19:01 AM

Ohio

My secondaries with fruit on, everyone has split a little at the stem of the pumpkin right where it meets the vine.

7/20/2004 4:57:50 AM

Cologne / Germany

We had / have a lot of rain here and it´s pretty cold for summer but the plants grow like crazy. I stopped any fertilizing for the moment because I think that combination will probably lead to these "explosions" and splits.
Maybe there´s a bit too much juice traveling in the vines and the veins just can´t stand it. Just a thought. Did you recently had a lot of watering or rain?

7/20/2004 5:13:26 AM

Southern WI

I don't remember reading about so many split vines & stems ect. (until the the end feeding experiments). It's got to be all the rain we've had everywhere. I hadn't added anything before I saw my first split.

7/20/2004 7:12:57 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I've got lots. Secondaries are opened up and laid out with only veins showing. Things are still growing tho', those "veins" are still transporting food and water.

7/20/2004 8:43:42 AM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

I think it's the rain and lower than normal temps (here in Michigan, at least). I just had the best fruit in my patch (on 895 Hester) split at the junction of fruit & stem. (Lengthwise with stem, not across stem) And yes, it's through to the cavity. We had a big rain 2 days ago. Ouch! And, nothing else on the plant unless this morning's pollination takes...

7/20/2004 4:22:24 PM

ontario

I agree with Edwards......rain.rain......cold then a hot day thrown in.... then cold wet......then hot......cool nights.....nothing is even....I have several fruit with small tears in the stem lengthways.......

7/20/2004 6:43:08 PM

northern indiana

I am also experiencing stem splits. The fruit are small, and the splits are in line with the stem. I hope that they will not extend into the cavity. Rain is expected for tomorrw and the largest fruit gained 4" circ in the last 24hrs. This will likely only add to the problem. I will be treating with captan if I can get them to dry out, or may try to manually dry them out.

7/20/2004 9:59:10 PM

Eureka ca

I've been growing Atlantic giants on the Northen Ca coast for several years now. Colds nights, 3 days of fog, sunshine for 4 days, etc. You get the picture. Anyway, I deal with stem, vine and pumpkin splits EVERY YEAR. They mostly show up after a good soaking of water. This year I'm cutting way back on the watering. I still have them but not as bad.
Conlusion? I would have to agree that cold nights and overwatering play a big part.

7/21/2004 12:54:28 AM

Western Pa.

"And I wonder, still I wonder, who'll stop the rain!"

7/21/2004 4:45:19 AM