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Middle TN

I was totally bummed to find this in the patch this morning. Can it be stopped or slowed down? Theres still 8 more days till I cut her free.

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/crzyJJfan/?action=view&current=drip.mp4

7/16/2010 9:25:07 AM

Pataskala,OH

IMHO I wouldn't be worried. If you have a week left. I have never seen anything like that but if the vine is dripping that probably means some juice is still going to the pumpkin.

7/16/2010 9:37:11 AM

Middle TN

sorry 9 days not 8, Im so aggravated I cant count! lol We had planned to cut it on the 25th if it holds on that long.

Thanks Nic, I hope you're right. I hadnt concidered it could be juice going TO the fruit, I assumed it was coming OUT of it.

7/16/2010 9:44:59 AM

Griffith, In

Tammy, you might want to consider putting a fan on it, see if you can dry the spot up where it's dripping from and maybe wipe the spot with some alcohol.

7/16/2010 11:06:31 AM

Western NY

That's bizarre. There must be some kind of damage at the connection to cause the leaking.

Worst case scenario the stem gets mushy and you have to cut it off. You'll probably be fine for the next week, though.

7/16/2010 12:52:41 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Hopefully that isn't energy dripping from the pumpkin itself. Though I've got a feeling it is, because it even possible for a pumpkin at that age to be receiving that much energy?

7/16/2010 1:42:13 PM

El Paso TX.

I'd agree with Andy - it is bizarre but it is probably just the split that you've had for awhile reached in far enough to be dripping some of the juice going into the pumpkin - it might slow the growth down a bit this last week but I don't think it will be anything major (at least the drip seems clear and doesn't seem to be moldy or foamy !) I'd put something under the drip to catch it and dump it somewhere away from the plant so it doesn't start to mold on the ground near the plant and just keep an eye on it for signs of any rotting starting (don't think there will be in just a week but you never know) - and if things do start to go bad I'd go ahead and cut her off a few days early and get her ready to go to the fair (figure she'll last more than a week after cutting her off the plant so should be fine for the Fair) -- Figure the wound might stop leaking by itself in a day or so - so I'd just let it grow for now and keep an eye on it and figure worse case she gets cut a few days early but should still make it for the Fair. From the looks of it the rest of the stem still seems to be pretty solid and doesn't seem to be rotting or anything

7/16/2010 2:18:36 PM

southwest MO

You should be fine for 9 days. I battled a stem like that for over 30 days (many others have to!) and still had a solid fruit at the weigh off although the stem was not the prettiest (what was left of it)by then. A suggestion would be to get a tooth brush and some 90% alchol and gently scrub the brown mushy stuff off. You will probabbly find that there is alot more that is rotting than you can see on the surface...You may have to do this daily... There is always a hair dryer on low to help dry it out after the alchol. Make sure the hair dryer is ground faulted. As JDFan said if you are really worried about it take it a couple days early and put it in a cool shady spot. These are just suggestion as I know the effort YOU have put in and it is your call.

7/16/2010 3:00:03 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I think you're ok too Tammy. I'm having similar issues with stumps this year. The fluid is clearly water and coming from the main vine and not the pumpkin.

7/16/2010 8:01:56 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

No help here, but wishing you the best of luck for the fair!!! Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne
Also, in your diary you asked if this disqualified yer pkn at a weighoff...I think the GPC rules state that if a hole does not go thru to the cavity of the fruit, it is okay!!! You should be good to set a new County Record!!! Keep us updated!!!

7/17/2010 1:05:52 AM

[email protected]

This thread conjures up mental images of pumpkin porn.

7/17/2010 2:15:27 AM

Middle TN

I put a bowl under the stem so I could tell if it starts dripping again and how much ... 16 hrs since I added the paste and so far no drips. keeping my fingers crossed.

7/17/2010 2:59:41 AM

Western PA

Tammy, I cut a side vine last week very close to my big one on my 763. The vine dripped clear a lot faster than your pumpkin was dripping. So I would think that your pumpkin would have to be taking in a lot of water still, and gaing some weight.
Good luck !!

7/17/2010 8:50:41 AM