From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Topsfield, Ma.

Much to my dismay I found my first pollinated LG at about 66" long split open 24" probably 1/2" deep! It had stopped growing for some time, but being a newbie, I just let it hang there. Anyone know it this is typical or if they should be harvested within a certain time ? They only recieve residual fertilizer from the AG patch, no direct attention. Thanks, Duff

9/6/2004 8:10:12 PM

Long Island,New York

well thats unattractive and an avenue for fungus but its still contest worthy.Paint it up with a fungiside and hang out til contest.

9/6/2004 8:28:57 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Mine tend to split towards the end of season also...The rules state as long an they are in one piece. I would do as G suggests give it a good bath and leave it hang.

9/7/2004 12:49:24 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Thanks for the input guys, very encouraging! Anyone know if the GPC will be officially measuring these? If so, are they measured stem to blossom along the long side if they're curved, or sort of like a the string on a bow and arrow?
Thanks in advance,
Duff

9/7/2004 9:02:28 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

They are laid flat and measured from top to bottom. The Curve does not count in the measurement.

9/7/2004 10:18:04 PM

Long Island,New York

Put it on a banquet table with a paper tablecloth.....mark the tablecloth at the tip of the fruit...make a second mark at the stem end of the fruit.....remove the fruit and measure the straight line between the two marked points.

9/7/2004 10:21:36 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Since I've got a few more coming on, I decided to lop this one off, fill the crack with caulk and wait and see the outcome? Thanks for the measuring methods!
Duff

9/8/2004 8:29:03 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

...just an update, caulk worked only so long! Fruit started weeping in a couple spots...off to the compost pile!!!

9/23/2004 7:52:34 PM