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Germany

There are two individual things...the cracks along the stem and the split at the junction with the leaf stalk. The first ones, the superficial cracks along the stem (they occur as the stem grows bigger, that´s like normal), they are no problem at all, I made this experience in 2011 (see here: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=171659) and it happened quite some times in the interim, never had to worry about that. The other one, that´s something you should do something about that. There must have been some strain at the leaf node, perhaps because of the weight of the leaf twisting the junction. Therefore, many growers do either support that leaf (with some sticks, so that it cannot fall over) or they remove that leaf after successful pollination (something to bear in mind for the next years). Right now, I would carefully remove the leaf with a sharp knife. (You can retain some cm of the leaf stalk, just get rid of the weight of that leaf. It´s important that you don´t hurt the vine or the stem). Currently, the split looks still fine, you may be lucky and it will heal over without any further treatment. Therefore, keep it dry and have an eye on that spot every day. If it´s getting wet (like beginning rot), then you need to remove the wet parts and apply maybe sulfur powder or, as I prefer, a dispersion of sulfur in technical grade ethanol).

6/23/2024 8:36:40 AM

Croatia

Ok, thanks for the advice, I will remove the fetus and I still have time to fertilize the second one.

6/23/2024 9:46:59 AM

Germany

Hm, that´s not what I wanted to say. If the fruit is in a great position and hasn´t had any troubles so far (things such as seeds at the lobes or other deformation), I would prefer to be patient and wait and see what happens (at least for a week). Perhaps the split is healed within a week and you have a great fruit going. Be patient. (That´s what I would do in that case.)

6/23/2024 10:52:05 AM