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North Port, FL.

I had 2 pumpkins crack at the stem wondering what went wrong , could any grower advice
what course the pumpkin to cracks? is it over watering ? growing too fast ? I have clean and apply fungicide to the crack pumpkin, are they any other that I could safe the 2 pumpkins from going bad both pumpkin still have 6 weeks to maturity, I have posted the 2 crack pumpkins at my grower diaries, appreciate all advice " thank you "
Kenny.

2/23/2011 4:52:17 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

What you have to do is make a cut on each side of the stem so that the stem can open up and releive the pressure on the pumpkin. I've seen stems where you can stick your hand right through to the other side. Thick of the pumpkin as a ball and the stem as a tube sitting on the ball. The stem can be split open length wise and not affect the pumpkin. The other cuts you need to make are shallow cross cuts at the end of the splits on the pumpkin. This will stop the split from continuing further into the pumpkin. Check out this diary starting with this picture and you'll understand better what I mean. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=140865

2/23/2011 7:04:19 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Kenny, are you supporting the vines on both sides of the pumpkin? Allowing the to raise up, as the pkn grows taller? Did you plan ahead and put a curve in the main vine? Peace, Wayne

2/23/2011 11:34:15 PM

North Port, FL.

Appreciate all advice ,Opps!.....is my mistake, no I have not really plant ahead supporting the main vine :0( the pumpkin that have the big crack it was cover by the tim I have a close look at that pumpkin is too late it have a big crack, I have clean and apply fungicide, hope to stop it from rotting away, crack have draying out a bit today, will be more careful next time.
Kenny.

2/24/2011 1:29:05 AM

Hobbiton New Zealand

cut out anything that looks brown and soft. apply some powder fungicide to the area Kenny and keep it dry.

2/24/2011 2:54:59 AM

Griffith, In

Do what Pumpkin Shepherd said, slice it open longways from the split or splits, I had this happen, did this and a week later it split 45 degrees from the original split, so I did it again, it saved the pumpkin from the stem splits,,,after I sliced the stem open, I sprayed it with a solution of 10% bleach to water and put a small fan on it,,,it dried out the cuts fine and heeled, peroxide water will also do the same kind of thing,,,good luck
Kenny!!!

3/5/2011 2:45:48 AM

North Port, FL.

Thank you all for sharing your helpful experience, the 2 pumpkins are dried out showing sign of heeling fingers cross hope all will go well from now.

3/5/2011 3:27:59 AM