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Lakewood, CA

The other night my boyfriend and I were putting up a big shade umbrella over his pumpkin. I was pounding the stake into the ground with a brick and the corner of the brick broke off and it hit his pumpkin.

I actually think he stopped breathing when I said I put a hole in his pumpkin. It's not a very big hole (maybe 1/2" long and 1/4" deep or less), but it's a hole none the less. I feel really bad about it and I need some help to make it all better. I'm pretty sure a band-aid won't make it heal. Any suggestions on how to fix it.

Thanks

7/20/2004 11:46:22 AM

Los Angeles Ca.

dont worry widow the pumkin will keep growing and your very good looking man will be ok theres always next year. your man must be one hell of a guy. smile


(crazy)

7/20/2004 12:18:48 PM

ipswich, ma usa

Something lacey and orange might do the trick....:) LOL

John (5150)

7/20/2004 2:08:07 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I'm thinking John's onto the solution. Being a family website, you'll need to use the old imagination from here on.

7/20/2004 2:27:30 PM

Ohio, USA

Duct tape fixes everything lol

7/20/2004 2:33:42 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

John, GOOD ONE!!! LOL!!!!

7/20/2004 2:47:19 PM

Lakewood, CA

Okay, so everything I've heard so far are suggestions on how to get him breathing again (I don't think that'll be a problem), but what about the poor pumpkin!?!?!?!

7/20/2004 3:22:46 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

If the hole really goes all the way into the cavity then the pumpkin's toast. That's not to suggest I wouldn't try a repair anyway.

How to repair depends on the size. By your description, it sounds more like a dent than a hole. If this is the case, you might wish to dry Sulfur dust or a fungicide like Captan. First clean the dent with a 5-10% bleach/water solution. Rub it very gently with a brush. Treat it like a wound on your own body. After cleaning, blot it dry with a sterile pad. Then blow some of the dust onto the dent. The place a small fan blowing on it (set to low speed) to keep it dry. Keep the fan running for as long as it takes to dry the spot thoroughly. This can take days so plan ahead for rain. The fan & the fruit must both be kept out of the waether. Dented fruit usually make it to harvest without major incident if it's kept clean & dry.

If the hole goes right into the cavity then things are more severe. Go to the hardware store & buy a tube of LATEX caulk. Not Silicone. If the hole is dry enough, fill it with the latex caulk. If it's very wet & oozing, then try the above describes dust'fan therapy first. Then plug the hole with latex caulk. The fruit could never be entered into a GPC competition. But there's always the slim chance you still get to finish.

Good luck & keep us all posted as to how this works out.

7/20/2004 6:46:39 PM

seacoast of NH

Hey!! Don't forget, people carve names in pumpkins and they just scar over and keep on growing.

7/20/2004 9:43:17 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Not when Alternaria & Fusarium are regular patch residents they don't! LOL

7/20/2004 10:14:19 PM

Indiana

it will heal up just fine. 1/2" x 1/4" hole is little. I have done much worse.

Tom

7/21/2004 10:50:08 AM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Next time have him get you a hammer, or something decent to pound with. lol

7/22/2004 12:28:35 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Agreed - use the hammer. Take the time to use the proper tools for the job.

ALWAYS check you proximity to to fruit when working in the patch.


Think twice or even three times about what you are about to do when working around the fruit. The additional time you spend thinking about it (and doing it right) will save years off of your life worrying about what you SHOULD have done.

Hopefully that is just a DENT and not a hole into the caviety of the pumpkin.

Good Luck & Grow 'em BIG.

7/22/2004 1:41:36 AM

Los Angeles Ca.

how is everyone im the pumkins dad pumpkinwidows boyfriend.
my woman is a good girl she will tell you all that she can handle the tools her self. shes good with my tool....ha ha
i love her and it is ok accidents happen. (crazy)

7/22/2004 1:22:20 PM

Lakewood, CA

Pumpkincrazy is right, I know how to handle tools!

However, I was the one that picked up the brick. I had the stake in hand and the brick was just outside the fence of our patch within my reach. Fortunately, the dent in the pumpkin is already healing over. It did not reach the pumpkins cavity and with lots of luck, the pumpkin will grow without any problems and in time the dent will just add character to it!

Love you too crazy!!!

7/22/2004 6:29:59 PM