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San Diego

my blossom end is getting small surface splits, not deep, in a couple areas. Never had this too much before. Pumpkin is day 26, growth splits I assume. Put a fan on it, some sulfer dust, any other advise from anyone and if this is pretty normal or something concerning. Thank you.

7/17/2019 7:14:04 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

My opinion is that they are surface skin splits from growing fast in the blossom area. I would clean them with a mixture of ten percent bleach 90 percent water dry them and then put some sulphur powder on them and keep your fan running. They should dry up if they don’t and they get a little soft you probably have an interior problem that is coming to the surface but don’t think that now because when they are young like yours the problem just described usually doesn’t happen until much further along in the growing process. This is all my opinion from my experience growing over the years! GOODLUCK !

7/18/2019 1:08:44 PM

Morgantown, WV

Pooh Bear gave good advice Duster, but beyond that, have you had a soil test done? Low Calcium during heavy fruit growth is a sure fire way to split the blossom end. I agree again with pooh bear, that it is early to be having surface splits. At 26 days old, the skin should be soft and ready for peak growth phase, so that is why I think calcium may be off.

Other than that, are you covering your pumpkin with some sort of shade? The sun has come out recently, and the only other thing I can think of that would cause splits at 26 days, is tight skin from a lot of sun. Do you have a blanket on it, or is it exposed?

7/18/2019 7:58:07 PM

San Diego

Thank you for the replies, calcium has been foliar sprayed weekly, plenty of calcium in my soil, I was 4400 ppm at start of season. Small towel on fruit covering 75% of it, under shade cloth and blossom is not facing the sun. It looks like growth cracks, their are 3 or 4, all vertical on the sides of the blossom itself, not on the fruit. Blossom is sound and has a normal soft flexible feel to it. I was just wondering if this can be normal for some fruit as they grow.

7/19/2019 12:00:36 AM

Grittyville, WA

I dont have a clue without a pic. But the blossom button/nub should not be rubbery. It should be fairly firm. Good luck!

7/19/2019 2:56:03 AM

Morgantown, WV

Looked ok to me Duster, like normal growth splits that are healing over. Keep it clean and dry you should keep pressing some soil.

7/21/2019 9:43:08 AM

San Diego

posted photos in my diary, thanks for the input dustin.

7/21/2019 11:29:13 AM