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New Hampshire

The past week has been crazy pumpkin growing time. In 2 days Bubba grew from 530 to 550 and i thought it was slowing down so i put more water on and I cut off a few vines and buried a few. Today (August 27) I went out and found a split about 1/2 inch long and about 1/10 an inch wide along the dill ring. I measured it out and it came out to 650 estimated. It grew 100 pounds in 3 days. Can i do anything to save it or just keep it growing so it wont rot? Thanks

Douglas

8/27/2002 8:07:08 PM

Herndon, VA

Something similar happened to me last year. One of my pumpkins went down due to a split along a dill ring, and two days later my largest (on the same plant) had a growth spurt (I'm assuming from the extra juice) and split too. This is why you want to avoid sudden spikes in water, fertilizing, and temperature. Oviosly, the weather has a bit to do with it, but that's what makes it interesting.

If the split opens into the cavity, there is nothing you can do. Once air enters the cavity, it will start to rot. If you intend on keeping the seeds, harvest them ASAP, or they will be ruined when it turns to mush.

8/27/2002 8:22:33 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

if the split doesn't go into the cavity then forget it if not put some fungicide into the crack ie Captan and keep it dry.

Glenn

8/27/2002 11:19:12 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

should have said if the split goes into the cavity Forget it.

but there have been cases of splits into the cavity being repaired say with silcon and the pumpkin survivin and growing.

8/27/2002 11:20:58 PM