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maine USA

I had thought that AG parents that tend to produce offspring that split probably tended to be thin walled, and went light to the charts. Much to my surprise, two that I have seen listed as splitters were heavy to the charts. Other that too fast growth, is there another reason that would cause these heavy to the chart parents tend to split.
thanks KathyT

2/7/2007 1:18:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

In arboriculture we see this in trees that have poorly formed branch structure. As two branches grow in diameter, they often push against each other ultimately pushing apart & breaking. Deep ribs on the outside of a pumpkin are the most obvious place where splits might occur. However internal splits might form where we can't see them under similar circumstances. Heavy to the chart growth comes from thick walls. If a fruit develops thickness in the wrong place, splits might very well be the ultimate outcome. So I think that heavy OTT tendencies are great when the fruit is properly shaped. Otherwise this trait may cause an early demise.

2/7/2007 6:36:22 PM

maine USA

Interesting, thanks Tremor

2/7/2007 8:58:12 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

Rib splitters, most of the time, might be heavy to the chart. These are those that split between the ribs. Most times, there is an internal crack (sag line, or "Dill ring") that runs perpendicular to the rib line, right in that spot. A common problem is that the ribs become so pronounced that as a rib grows it pushes against another and the fruit rips itself apart at that point.

Blossom end splits on the other hand, I think are just thin in the blossom end.

I don't know about stem splits... I haven't had one (yet).

2/8/2007 10:38:10 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I used to think that blossom splits were just thin at that end until last year. I lost one at 500#, while on a 1000#+ growth rate. Then I cut it out to save the few mature seeds, the blossom end was nearly 9" thick.

2/8/2007 5:23:44 PM

Ohio

the 1097 Beachy seems to split alot at the stem end for alot of growers(like me) and the ones this happens to usually don't even let this bother them (especially Tom Beachy) most growers now know there is a very good chance its coming (not always) because of the fast past growth and how big it gets so fast that a stem split on a 1097 although some what common is minor because how thick the stem end usually is on these pumpkins. Now will this stop me from growing this 1097 again this year? absolutely not. Tom Beachy can explain this better then I can though, I got all excited when I seen the stem split on my 1097 thinking that the end was near soon but not until ole Tommy Boy settled me down and explained to me to shut my mouth and don't worry about that stem split and keep growing a giant pumpkin.(Tom you hurt my feelings, I still will never forget this and often think about this on a regular basis to where I cant sleep at nights and you still never told me you was sorry)

2/10/2007 5:06:44 AM

Ohio

you meanie!!!

2/10/2007 5:08:33 AM