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Manchester, TN

I've been battling a leaking stem for last week. I'm really just wanting pumpkin to stay together through next weekend. Not concerned with weight loss. Will it keep better if cut off vine now and move to shade with fan?

Thanks in advance

9/4/2014 4:43:03 PM

South Hero, VT

Have you tried sulfur with a fan on the leak? It's better if the stem is in the sun to help dry the leak. I'm assuming the leak is not the result of a split in the pumpkin itself.

9/4/2014 5:31:49 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

clean all the bad stuff out of it. pour a little peroxide on it. then sprinkle some sulfur on that area. And put a fan on it. This works for me.

9/4/2014 5:46:40 PM

Manchester, TN

Thanks, it's been kept covered with fan, and capton caked on. I know the sulphur makes it look worse than it is. With the cover I have over it the stem gets sun from 2pm til dark.

9/4/2014 7:56:51 PM

East Jordan, MI

Split it open at the bottom and let the water out! Do it now. Problems don't get better with time.

Then look up inside and see if it is starting to rot. If the inside of the stem is soft, you need to scrape it out. A spoon works really well.

Get some high percentage peroxide up in there. Non Chlorine Pool oxidizer (baquacil is brand name, they make generic brands) is $17 a gallon and is the same strength and zerotol (27%). It will kill the bacteria that are feasting on the carbohydrate rich water that is pooling in your stem

Get a fan blowing up inside the stem to dry it out.

Then cut back on your water a little spray with peroxide and watch it daily.

Good luck!!

9/4/2014 9:27:11 PM

Sloughhouse

MIne has done the same thing here in n.ca. put sulfer on it but still leaking. Its still in the mid 90s. Anything different i should do?

9/5/2014 11:11:56 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

When I had this, twice this year on the same plant with different kins, someone suggested exposing the stem to the sun. Be damned but it worked like a charm.

9/6/2014 7:36:03 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

This is my first time to deal with this , also. My fault! I dug out the planting zone and thru the kitchen sink in it! I doubt it over, but it's dry this morning. Too bad the damage is done. The 845 O'Brian 13 has a huge soft spot, and I must suck it up and cut it off! There is a late set in the late growth, but, the exercise was important to learn for my future State Record!

9/6/2014 9:48:47 AM

Cedar Lake, IN.

Maybe back off on the water.

9/6/2014 4:36:32 PM