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Ohio

I thought this was a good read seeing how a lot of us use bleach to wipe down the outside of our pumpkins. Ive even read where some growers use it on there vines after pruning. Maybe this isnt such a great idea after all?

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Pruning%20tools.pdf

1/6/2009 7:48:56 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Some growers bleach their soil Brooks. Serious.

1/7/2009 12:06:57 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

That's a good article. I'm glad to see the author likes my favorite, Lysol aerosol. Quick, cheap & safe.

1/7/2009 12:30:55 AM

Ohio

First time I have ever seen the Lysol thing, I like that idea Steve. Heck, Don Young practically watered his 1662 with straight bleach and it didnt affect it much,,,lol!!

1/7/2009 4:41:51 AM

Ohio

What do you think about spraying Lysol on a rag w/water and wiping your pumpkin down? Think it would be better then using 10 to 1 bleach/ water on a rag to wipe a pumpkin down? Ive never had a problem with using bleach w/water on my pumpkin, that I know of though. But after reading that I dont think I will be using it on my vines.

1/7/2009 4:50:28 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

The word Bleach can be used to describe different chemicals and is not specific enough for our purposes.
The article refers to chlorine bleach not hydrogen peroxide and I think that may be causing some confusion.

1/7/2009 1:27:25 PM

Columbus,ohio

They make cleners that are blech based and are safe for little kids....why not pumpkins?

1/7/2009 4:09:38 PM

Woburn, MA.

I think i'll try the Lysol next year.

1/7/2009 6:56:23 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Tea Tree Oil..works wonders

1/7/2009 7:04:17 PM

Iowa

LMAO I will never swim again! I can say I was there one day when Don Young dumped about a half gal. on the stump of his 1662, I could not believe my eyes!! I need to huge a tree...

1/7/2009 11:14:20 PM

Corryton, TN

Keep in mind she was talking about controling fire blight and some other tree diseases. Unfortunately, I know she's correct about fire blight in fruit trees. Next time I get a foaming stump I think I'll try watering it stright up!

1/8/2009 9:50:11 AM

i still use bleach on pumpkins weekly after skin toughens up about 10 % sponge bath. bleach is powerful use at own risk it does sanitize.ive since found a differnt more benefical product to use and had great success at keeping stumps. stems. and all vines healthy and free of any soft spots .disease or other issues .need a few more trials with it

1/8/2009 10:12:45 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Are you going to share that product with us Don, or is a secret?

1/8/2009 1:14:45 PM

Alabama

Shannon how do you use the tea tree oil?

1/8/2009 5:36:14 PM

Columbus,ohio

I never thought of tea tree oil....I know it can be used to improve for skin of human....Why not a pumpkin...It would keep the pumpkin skin soft and expanding.

1/8/2009 7:08:52 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

i thought oils were not allowed on pumpkins for wheigh offs

1/9/2009 4:32:59 AM

Gold Hill, Oregon

oops. sorry!! hit myself in the head. ouch!! ssshhhh.

1/11/2009 1:07:27 AM

Bemidji Minnesota

Bleach?

Why would you do that?

I mean it should protect the fruit, but doesn’t that cause sterility of the fruit?

I have heard of some watermelon growers using this to keep the melons from growing seeds in them.

I have never tried it myself, but it is supposed to be like birth control in plants it does not kill.

1/11/2009 7:53:48 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

This thread has become very interesting. I really want to know if bleach does cause sterility.

1/15/2009 9:54:20 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

1131, 1633,,,,how many others?

1/15/2009 9:55:10 PM

maine USA

I used bleach on one of my young pumpkins. It had some white marks and I used a 10% bleach solution on them. I believe that the bleach solution was too strong for such a young pumpkin. It was around 200 or so lbs. It made the skin rough and a hump occured in that area. Certainly this could have been a coincidence.
I have used 10% bleach on older fruit and it worked quite well.
As far as the Lysol goes, I assume that it is prepared as you would for washing a floor?

1/16/2009 12:00:58 PM

Simi valley, ca

I used bleach on a pumpkin that got bit by squirrel at softball size! 3 bites , I was nervous about it for whole season but it never cracked ! full strenth on bites ( maybe 3 times), This plant was in corner of patch & not a desireable location ,also got rotted vines in middle of season , but still gave me new personal best of 892lbs !

1/30/2009 1:06:29 PM

Ct

Does bleach affect the seeds for the next growing season?

5/1/2009 11:25:37 AM