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Minnesota([email protected])

I think it is generally assumed by the majoritiy of growers on this forum, that thicker walled fruits have less of a chance of splitting(I'm talking about stem and blossom end splits). I thought this was a logical assumption as well. But after reading about splits on fruits that should weigh heavy OTT(based on genetics),I'm wondering if thicker walled fruits may not be less prone to split. Could they actually be more prone to splits? Maybe the thicker walls are less pliable/elastic(for lack of a better term). Maybe a large growth spurt would cause them to split more easily.
I'm just putting this out there for further discussion.
Experienced growers should have the best insight here. Do you find that the pumpkins that have split for you, are thicker or thinner walled fruit, or an even mix(Dill ring splits excluded)? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and input.

Doug

9/1/2004 4:44:45 PM

Rhode Island

doug
we lost the 805 pukos at the blossom earlier in the season

when we chopped her up she was 8 plus inches thick at the blossom

we also lost two others to blowouts , both were approximately 4 to 5 inches at the blossom

the weather has something to do with it ( cold spell followed by warm again )some im sure is just a flaw in the pumpkins genes ( 712 kuhn is notorious for blowing out stems ( just ask jerry rose )
i believe that blowouts just like splits (where a dill ring intersects with a deep rib), are nothing more than weak spots on the fruit that can not handle rapid growth
as the fruit grows the inner flesh can not keep up with the outer skin, and splits ( i think thats why when looking at the inner cavity of a blown blossom you usually see a vee shaped wedge that starts wide at the cavity and narrows at the blowout point )
i just think if fruit was meant to weigh over a thousand pounds then we would all need large trailers to do our food shopping
we are growing a freak of nature and perhaps this is just one of the risks we run trying to grow something " u n n a t u r a l "

9/2/2004 6:17:25 AM

Cologne / Germany

Yep, I believe stem and blossom area are the weakest points in "pumpkin architecture" but they have to take most of the tension from a growing pumpkin. Inconsistent weather conditions mean more stress. Sounds like a reason that 2004 is the season of the splitters to many growers even if genetics say something different. Here we are from 50 F last night to 85 F today, I don´t even dare to water or fertilize.

9/2/2004 9:29:19 AM

Puyallup, WA

The side walls will split no matter how thick when a Dill Ring transverses a rib line.

9/2/2004 4:17:40 PM