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Anamosa, IA [email protected]

My son reported that a couple pumpkins are going birdbath. I advised him to pack more sand under the stem end but he says that isn't helping. I can't get to the patch to help due to gall bladder surgery and have never dealt with this before. Does anyone have any suggestions?

7/25/2010 9:54:32 PM

Soldiers Grove, WI

I had a bird bath a couple of years ago and the main thing I found to do was to eliminate stem/vine stress by undermining the soil away from the vine and stem and letting the fruit grow on its stem without any stress. I tried to correct the fruit at first, but when they want to grow that way thats what you get. Also cover the blossom end when it rains so it doesn't fill up with water. Good luck!

7/25/2010 10:34:45 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Try to prop the fruit with a ramp type structure. I have a pumpkin in my patch thats bird bathed. It has rock solid sides and thin center area around the center near the blossom end. I've decided to let it stay that way and see what happens. I think that eventually its gonna split.

7/25/2010 11:12:25 PM

Midwest

The stem MUST get above the blossom right away. Got to get gravity toward the blossom or the blossom gets too thin as the pumpkin grows.

7/26/2010 12:56:37 AM

Mulino, Oregon

The best way to treat a birdbath shape is to reduce the stress on the blossom end. Usually letting it lay back on the stem is the best way. Dig a big hole & trench to accomodate them and keep good air circulation to keep it dry.

7/26/2010 8:56:25 AM

Preston CT

My 1421 is a bird bath. I could not stop it from growing back on it self. It crushed my styrofoam! Any ways it is the fastest growing thing I have ever had in the patch but I fear it will split in the blossum area or the stem will rot. I have dug under the vine and stem to get the stem as low as possible. I will try to get a fan out to keep it dry since I can barely see anything.

7/26/2010 9:15:23 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

Thanks for the advice. With the help of a walking stick and Jacob to do all the work for me I was able to check out the situation this morning. It looks like we may terminate the main at the pumpkin and try to keep it off the other end of the vine with props and soil removal. And it will get a tarp over it very soon to keep water off the blossom. At least i9t is at a pace to go well over 1000# which would be a new personal best.

7/27/2010 8:31:20 PM