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Williamsburg,KY

Finially got a chance to check out this pumpkin. http://bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=91693
and found a crack in the stem near the pumpkin. Am I in trouble? Any Advise, thanks so much. Croley Bend

8/1/2008 10:19:13 AM

Pembroke, New Hampshire

I had one like that 2 years ago that didn't cause me any trouble. I had one two years ago and 2 last year that progressed and split apart. So, it depends on how deep it is and if it's progressively expanding. Either way, keep it going and hope for the best. I apply captan powder to prevent fungus growth on the exposed areas.

8/1/2008 10:47:09 AM

West Sunbury, PA ([email protected])

Croley, I have had several like this. Louie Yohe had told me that you can take a knife, insert it in the stem split and intentionally split the stem toward the vine. (Toward the bottom of your picture.) Do not cut in to the vine. Since the fruit is fed by the veins that run with the length of the stem, the damage you cause will be only to a few veins. The intentional split you create will releive the stress that is felt toward the fruit cavity. After splitting, apply Captan, Vigor-Cal, or your favorite fungus prevention,then keep it dry. We have carried them to the end this way. Splitting your first one is the hardest. After you see it works, the rest are easy. Good luck. Chip

8/1/2008 3:30:53 PM

Williamsburg,KY

Really, I havent heard of that before. Im kinda worried about doing that.

8/2/2008 10:00:14 AM

Minerva,ohio

Croley, I have an almost identical stem split on my pumpkin,i cleaned it out with a small amt of bleach water spray and applied captan to the split and have had a fan drying her for the last week, i seem to have had success, so far hope this helps... don't give up on her!!

8/3/2008 12:29:58 AM