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Santa Ynez California

Hi. I was shifting my pumpkins slowly to perpendicular yesteray and I shifted one a bit too far. Its stem cracked about 1/3 of the way through. Pumpkin is about 13 1/2 feet out from stump and is size and shape of large football. I put duct tape around crack and pushed it back together - then duct taped lol. It is still growing well since break - about 24 hours ago and looks fine. Will it heal itself. I have a back up pumpkin about 3 feet out from this one that is pollinated but hate to cut this one off if it is possible for it to mend itself and go fine. It is on my favorite plant - at this point hahaha - and is my second biggest pumpkin. I had a split in last year's pumpkin stem and was able to heal it with advice so I am hoping someone knows on this. As I say it still looks good and healthy but if it can not repair itself or grow around its damage I better cut it - I am so glad I have three other plants this year lol. Thank you in advance. Steve

6/18/2009 6:41:23 PM

Denver, CO

If the crack is a vertical one, up and down the vine, it will heal itself in just a week or so. You will not even notice a differnce. If its cross-wise, across the stem from side to side, then I personally think its better to cut and run. It will heal itself, but I am always wondering if the full amount of energy and nutrients are getting by a cross-wise scar.

6/19/2009 1:38:07 AM

Santa Ynez California

Hi. Thank you. I think it is more like across half the stem as I look at it but the next pumpkin out although pollinated and appearing set is about 17" feet from stump. Is this too far from stump or better pole position anyhow lol. Thanks. Steve

6/19/2009 5:27:44 AM

Santa Ynez California

I wwent out to plants this morning and the pumpkin on this one had grown considerably but it was growing lopsided - getting much bigger on the side that didn't have the crack. since this plant had a pumpking at 17' out that is set I cut the cracked stem pumpkin off. i have wanted to try a pumpkin this far out and this plant is going to be it lol. Thanks. Steve

6/20/2009 6:05:54 PM