From

Location

Message

Date Posted

NILES , CALIF

Looking for as much info on preventing stem rot?
Trying to gather as much info on it to prevent it
Some years I have no stem problems, and then I have years that it appears?
Any info will help

10/15/2021 10:09:22 AM

Hopedale Ohio

Great question, this past year I kept My stem at the base covered, had a very wet few week's in a row, and had stem rot. Wondering here if that could have been part of the problem. Thanks

10/15/2021 10:55:59 AM

Bethlehem CT

I had stem problems this year too. Wet humid weather seems to bring it on. Some advice I got from Ryan Cleveland (Ryan had very healthy stems in a super wet humid year)
1. Keep the stem dry. Many growers use an umbrella to shield off the rain.
2.Keep a fan on the stem at all times.
3. Dust the stem with sulfur.
It's a lot of work, but no one has ever grown a world class pumpkin with out putting in a ton of work.

10/15/2021 1:31:07 PM

Grittyville, WA

An alternative viewpoint... I dont use pesticides and I rarely if ever have stem problems. I've noticed some bugs seem to hang around and eat away any decaying portions of the stem. So if there is any slimy reddish rot, rather than spreading, it seems to get eaten off by these small saprotrophs. Are they cleaning the stem wounds for me? I really do think so.

I overhead irrigate and I'm pretty sure rot would occur (I see spots where it looks like the little buggers ate it away) so it's possible that with the right biology in place, nature will control it via reaching an equilibrium. It depends on your goals though. Other insects do harm my plants... "Equilibrium" and "world record" probably wont ever be in the same sentence.

10/15/2021 3:38:09 PM

Grittyville, WA

I should say I dont use insecticides. The legal definition of pesticides is broader. I have used sulfer and daconil and these work really well, too.

10/15/2021 3:43:01 PM

Syracuse, NY

2 TBSP. Clorox in a gallon of water, sprayed weekly onto every bit of the stem and blossom ends and any digs/cuts/damage of any kind and I'm good to go, even though THIS year I only just started that because my 400-pounder (1317 Clementz X 1985 Miller) had 2-3 tiny cuts/incisions in its face-to-be. Will hand the buyer the rest of the gallon, lol---eg - PS - be very mindful of the critters that are directly BELOW any lethal sprays applied to our fruits. Let them be outta the weigh.

10/16/2021 4:55:44 PM