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Pittsburgh, PA

Hi, I am asking this question for my dad. He doesn't have internet access so I'm trying to help him out. First let me tell you about my dad. He is possessed with his pumpkin patch. He reads pumpkins, breathes pumpkins, practically sleeps with his pumpkins and definately bleeds pumpkins. I hope you get the idea, I'm sure you're all the same about your pumpkins. He told me that his pumpkin is 277 pounds already. Anyway, this morning he asked me to search the web for any information on a problem he is having. He noticed the stem of his pumpkin is cracked and that there are 2 small cracks that extend from the stem into the actual pumpkin. Naturally he is very upset, so if there are any suggestions you can give me to fix this problem so I can pass them on to him, I would be greatful. By the way, we live right outside of Pittsburgh, PA and it's been very humid around here for the last week. Finally, today the humidity seems to have dropped significantly. Thanks for any replies to this message.

8/4/2000 9:04:46 AM

Western Pa.

Hi Jay and Dad!
As they get bigger cracks and oozing is usually the norm! Apply A paste of Captan and water. Tell your dad that this big pumpkin growing is a incurable sickness. I'm sending you an email!

8/4/2000 9:30:18 AM

pa,usa

Hi neighbor.I live 65miles south of pittsburgh Pa. It is always nice to know there are people in my neighbor hood that think of nothing but pumpkins to. This is my first try at growing these pumpkins but I am hooked. I had a crack in my stem and vine and I put a paste of Captan in it and then tryed to keep it dry.I hope all goes well for you dad and he gets a big pumpkin Good luck

8/4/2000 9:44:59 AM

Long Island,New York

Jay...stem splits happen. They can continue on into the pumpkin and end your season. Best bet now is to scrape away any wet stuff,any brown stuff,etc to clean flesh at stem and pumpkin.Paste in with a fungiside powder mixed into a paste applied with a brush(I use a solder brush) or maybe press it in with your finger(then wash thoroughly).Keep it dry. I use a clip on fan and blow air on the wounds to get them dry.This will hopefully prevent new fungus fron establishing itself and kill old fungus that is likely there.Thats the repair. Now...to prevent(minimize) any futher splitting you need to see that the growth is even.No massive waterings once a week....slow and steady.Big growth will likely cause the splits to increase since its already a weak spot.In summary...paste,dry,dry,dry...even watering.It works for me.

8/4/2000 4:58:26 PM

santa barbara, Ca.

I grow organically, and had a severe stem split 2years ago. I sprayed cinnamin, and baking soda, (using a turkey baster)In powder form. They are both organic fungicides. It worked well! Also be sure to keep it as dry as possible. My stem split all the way through, and my pumpkin continued to grow, I even had a small frog living in the stem split. He didn`t like my applications of cinnamin and baking soda! Good luck!

8/5/2000 6:59:18 PM

Long Island,New York

The captan eliminates small frogs too..... ;)

8/5/2000 10:29:45 PM