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Illinois

Ive had a few pumpkins that start to get big ridges on them after the follower dies off. I thought they had gotten pollinated because after the flower dies off they seem to grow but then get deep grooves in them and one has rotted off the vine the other seems to be doing the same can anyone give me some help

7/17/2011 8:06:09 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

2 questions 1) are you doing anything to keep them cool and 2) is there pollen present in the male flowers on your plant?

7/18/2011 10:39:02 AM

Illinois

I'm not really doing anything to keep them cool the grass around the fruit is pretty tall and keeps it shaded pretty well and there seems to be pollen in the male flower.

7/18/2011 10:58:47 AM

Ireland

blcs, (1)My first bit of advice is that you probably should cut the grass away from around the fruit.The air needs to circulate around the pumpkin properly and this will help keep them cool and prevent them from rotting.
(2)You may want to go easy on the fertiliser for a few days before and after pollination also as extra amounts of fertiliser can make the fruit rot off.
Micheal

7/18/2011 11:25:54 AM

Illinois

Alright i'll give that a shot i have been fertilizing them with some phosphorus so i'll lay off of that for bit and get rid of some of the grass. thanks for the help.

7/18/2011 3:48:06 PM

Ireland

no problem

7/18/2011 4:07:28 PM