From

Location

Message

Date Posted

New Hampshire

One of my pumpkins was growing with the stem very low and it would have been a matter of time before the pumpkins weight would have crushed the stem and main vine. Therefore I attempt to be proactive in rotating the pumpking more on it's side. Unfortunately one wrong twist and I cracked the main vine. I put about a 2 1/2 - 3" in-line vine in front of the stem. On the good news, the pumpkin is now in a "better" position. I used plummers tape to cover the crack (which has worked well before). Any other suggestions for sealing the crack or did I make a big rookie error in trying to rotate a 100+ pumpkin? well, yes - I guess I can answer that question already. Thanks! Hope your pumpkins are growing well.

7/17/2010 9:29:01 PM

Upa Creek, MO

If you had to give it slack some how you did the right thing. Next time, just do it when it's much smaller. Make sure to treat the crack with a fungicide. I am not sure about the plumbers tape. I've never heard of that being used.

7/18/2010 9:16:26 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I would not use the tape, you want to keep it open so that it dries out and doesn't rot. If the split is along the main and not across it then you have nothing to worry about. Generally we do move the pumpkins but only forward, backwards or laterally. Never attempt to rotate a pumpkin unless there is absolutely no alternative.

7/18/2010 11:31:56 PM