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Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

I was checking out my pumpkin tonight and noticed what looks like woodpecker holes in the stem end of my pumpkin. I don't check the stem end often so.... The pumpkin is still growing very well, seems healthy, etc. None of the holes seem to go to the cavity. Are these "mini splits" all along the ribbing? Doesn't look like animal damage and they seem to go the opposite direction that I would have expected, but them I am a rookie. Thanks!

Here are links to my diary where I have posted a few pics:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=56966
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=56967
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=56968

9/13/2006 1:56:34 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Splits caused by growth. I hate these things. What seed ithis growing on?

9/13/2006 11:39:20 PM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Growing on a 961.8 Kaczenski

To be fair to the seed, I polinated REALLY late and am pushing this REALLY hard with soluble ferts, trying to blow it up if I can, just to see what it takes. Since it was so late, it turned into an experiment to see what I could do. Nights are cool (50s) and days are warm (high 70 low 80) but not like summer. I think I starved my others a bit so wanted to see what real fast looked like. So probably caused by the nightime growth spurts at the "cold" temps. Maybe the skin is not warm and elastic enough to grow without the split. Good to know what it is though as they were so wierd that I was going to sit out and watch.

Thanks also to LIpumpkin for the email on this.

9/14/2006 1:15:04 AM

One rookie to another, I was advised to cover the fruit when the temps dip below 60 at night,,seems extreme but makes sense to keep the core temp up esp on younger fast growing fruit.

Do they even have "warm" blankets in Ca?
heh,,,heh

9/14/2006 6:29:43 AM

Danville, CA (petman2@yahoo.com)

Yeah, we got em, but these ain't warm blooded animals so I would guess they go cold within an hour or two...wouldn't they? Can't probe for temp (without disq. the fruit), but I am not sure this would make a good heat retainer. I have it covered but only with several of my old Tshirts. Will add blankets.

Can someone comment on how long a blanket might hold the heat into a pumpkin? Has there been any research? I believe, but being an auditor by trade, I am always skeptical.

9/15/2006 12:54:21 AM

ENGLAND

Use Bed Quilts with high TOG ratings.

9/15/2006 5:35:57 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I use comforters & heavy blankets. Temps have dipped to as low as 33 degrees F this September & have averaged about 4-6 degrees F at nights for the past while. They'll hold the heat in for the night. If it rains I put a tarp over it to keep them dry. A dry pumpkin is better than a cold wet one any day. Good luck.

Phil

9/15/2006 6:12:45 AM