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Upa Creek, MO

I was rotating my pumpkin today to sit 90 degrees from the vine. I snapped the stem 1/2 way through while doing so. Some water was pooring out and I pushed back together.

Is there anything I can do at all?

7/7/2010 6:26:07 PM

Wallingford,CT

set another pumpkin

7/7/2010 6:36:45 PM

Upa Creek, MO

But is half a stem snap completely a lost cause? I will cut it tonight if there is no way of healing itself to direct the energy at new production. There is no more leaking so I am just asking if I don't have to cut it.


Thanks for any input.

7/7/2010 6:50:36 PM

Rudolph

ahhh,,, you dont have to cut it,, but be prepared to have a pumpkin that will be half of it's potential,,,lol,,
but really you'll have to set another,,, with a split stem going across there is no way that will hold during the pumpkins top growth.

7/7/2010 7:31:12 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I cut it - back to the drawing board

7/7/2010 8:29:00 PM

Upa Creek, MO

One last question. I have another to set tomorrow, but it is about 23 feet down the main vine. Is this too far down? I keep reading in the diaries how everybody is pollinating 10 to 15 feet down. Thanks

7/7/2010 9:04:36 PM

Rudolph

You can pollinate at that distance there have been tons of big pumpkins grown that far out,,
So the answer is yes!,,
However it is pushing it,,,,

7/7/2010 9:41:29 PM

Ohio

Luke,

I learned a old trick from Jack LaRue, and thats he will not move the pumpkin at where it sits, but he moves the vines instead.
Sorry to hear about your stem split, I know thats a bummer for sure, but you still have that pumpkin to pollinate tomorrow which is a good thing, I think if one can pollinate a pumpkin before the 10th of July your still going to be OK.

7/7/2010 10:50:55 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks everybody for the input.

Luke

7/7/2010 11:01:07 PM

Corbin, KY

sorry you cut off. I had one last year we broke about half off. we cut the main vine at the fruit and pulled vine back together and used daconil on the break. Later on used captan. we broke it off about 400 pounds. at weigh off it was 1238.

7/7/2010 11:25:58 PM

Littleton, Colo

Luke.....never move anything if it izn't warm out!!!!!!!!!!....late afternoon iz bezt and then it iz an inch or two at a time......SLOW AND STEADY !....I know from experience (did the same thing).....DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT !!...Things happen for a reason.....may turn out for the better!!......

7/8/2010 12:07:01 AM

Rhode Island

thats exactly why i like to terminate the main AT the pumpkin.one less problem or possible problem to contend with.

7/8/2010 6:17:58 AM

milford, CT,

Brooks has a great point...when moving the fruit..have someone holding the stem and guide the vine as you move the fruit. This puts less stress on the stem and the vine bends much easier than the stem...

7/8/2010 11:58:53 AM

Upa Creek, MO

Thanks again everyone. I pollinated the one mentioned at 23 feet this morning. I have another that was set at 18 on Sunday but is still the size of big egg. I wonder if this one will pick up in growth now that the big 13 day old one is cut from the stem?

7/8/2010 12:08:59 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Careful cutting them from the stem it should be done over a period of days so they do not go "POP" or "Kaboom"

7/8/2010 7:38:34 PM