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Massachusetts

We had to harvest one of our giants due to the stem rotting. After harvest, we moved the pumpkin to the garage; I cut away the rotten stem (left about a 2" piece), cleaned it, and then put Captan and Sulfur on the stem and put it in front of a fan to try to dry it out.

Since then the 2" piece of stem has rotted off flat to the flesh of the pumpkin. I cleaned it again, reapplied the Captan and Sulfur, and now after a week it seems to have stabilized, there hasn't been any more rotting.

My question is, is there anything I can put over the end to seal it to protect it? I'd like to put the pumpkin outside on display; however I'm concerned the moisture will just rot that vulnerable spot.

10/7/2013 10:42:25 AM

South Hero, VT

I'd be concerned that the sealant would trap moisture and prevent the stem from drying out. You seem to be doing everything you can to treat rot. The only left you can do is spray bleach on the stem, either 10% or straight out of the jug.

Good luck.

10/7/2013 12:38:35 PM

Holton, Michigan

I have had that happen on a small pumpkin (#200)few years ago did the fungicide thing it lasted until christmas

10/7/2013 11:02:17 PM

Massachusetts

Just to follow up with the results.

The stems fully rotted off, however after applying a 2nd layer of Captan and Sulfur to the area and using a fan to dry it out. 1 pumpkin lasted until Dec 17 before it started to rot, and the 2nd pumpkin never showed any signs of rot. Both pumpkins were around #100.

12/20/2013 9:32:44 AM