From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Kalamazoo, MI ([email protected])

Hi
I know all sorts of splits have been covered here, but I would like some clarification.

I have a small split, almost just a skin crack, maybe 1/16th inch deep, maybe three inches long at the most, by my blossom, but not running into it. It's coming out like the hand of a clock. I have had it filled with Captan, but it's still getting a tad longer each day. It's been maybe a week? I cleaned the captan out today and refilled it with fresh stuff.

It seems to be drying out nicely, but I don't know if that's a good thing. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be keeping it dry, keeping it wet with Nutri-Cal, packing with Captan, or using the ever-popular "stem snot ooze" to try to heal it. Do I sanitize with bleach, peroxide, or alcohol? Rinse afterward? Sunlight on it or not? I'm lost, I've never tried to heal a crack before. It's just like a stretch mark in the skin, and I'm not sure what caused it. I am well aware that it may be a season-ender, but I'm sure going to try to save it anyway. Plus I was wondering about caulk, since if it's going to split open now would definitely be the time to caulk it. If I should caulk it please be specific - brand names, types of caulk, etc and how to do it.

Thanks to everyone who answers, I know this is a topic that is covered plenty around here! I just had a different kind of split, not a huge gaping one, so I figured people wouldn't mind chiming in. Please dumb it down for me, go step by step, and the more specific you get the better I will feel about this.

Kel

P.S. I did a lot of searches on this topic, but couldn't really find a lot of detailed instructions...

8/9/2008 5:05:18 PM

Somers, CT

I did exactly what you are doing. The crack did get worse for a while but finally sealed. It took over two weeks. Keep it as dry as possible. Tremor told me to use the drippings from another stem and paint it into the crack. I also read that in How to Grow III. Make a small cut near the stem of a growing pumpkin and collect the drippings. paint it into the split.

8/9/2008 6:50:36 PM

Kalamazoo, MI ([email protected])

thanks Rob! My main question is this: do I have to remove the Captan and rinse it out with something or just pack the drippings on top of it? I don't want to do it wrong...

8/9/2008 7:13:05 PM

Western NY

i wouldn't rinse it. captan should kill off anything that wants to grow on it. i had similar splits on my 1236 last year, but they never went through. they didn't develop until late september, though.

8/9/2008 8:03:04 PM

Just remember that is usually the thickest part of the fruit IF the crack indeed is not at the actualy stem tissue. Keep it dry and it should be fine IMO. Dry meaning tarp the fruit,,add that Captan(dry no need for a paste),,,and a fan running at least untill you see the drying is complete.

8/9/2008 9:18:04 PM

Kalamazoo, MI ([email protected])

Thanks guys...

I really appreciate the help. I will hold off on the drippings/stem goo for now and see what happens. Captan is good stuff...

Cheers,
Kel

8/9/2008 9:48:07 PM

Sheridan . NY

vc and vcp

8/12/2008 9:23:37 AM