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Circleville, Ohio

My 1244 Crosby has started to develope a dill ring in the past week of growth. I am currently at day 36. The ring is prominent on one side and day by day is becoming more prominent.

Can anyone elaborate on what causes this and what I can do at this point in time to maintain growth and sustain a pumpkin for the weigh off.

Day 35 = 703 via OTT method.

8/19/2011 9:58:03 AM

Ashland, KY

I am very new to AG growing, but I've read a few articles that suggest that genetics or poor pollination may play a role in this? Just a educated, but newbie guess!

8/19/2011 11:00:52 PM

Circleville, Ohio

EP - thanks for answering.....things to consider when selecting seeds for next yr.

8/19/2011 11:13:35 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

EVIL,

Are you a member of the Circleville Pumpkin Growers group?

8/20/2011 8:05:09 AM

canal winchester ohio

Joe, it's Rob V.

8/20/2011 9:50:12 AM

Florida

703 at day 35 is huge. But with a pumpkin growing that fast if the dill ring is very pronounced wouldn't it be paper thin at the crease.

8/20/2011 10:10:56 AM

Florida

Here's a example. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=150191

8/20/2011 12:09:28 PM

upwind of Carl

I don't think all dill rings look that bad. I would guess a pumpkin with no ribs would not be that bad while a pumpkin with well defined ribs would run the risk like the link you posted.

8/20/2011 2:53:33 PM

canal winchester ohio

What are you trying to do, scare the hell out of him? Just cut back on all fertilizers for a bit EXECPT for calcium ( need all the wall thickness you can get)& it should be fine.

8/20/2011 4:09:51 PM

upwind of Carl

Huffspumpkins I wasn't trying to scare anyone. I would just be cautious. With those something as simple as a heavy rain can doom you.

8/20/2011 4:27:39 PM

Circleville, Ohio

LOL - you cant scare me...I'm to new to get scared....just hope it makes it....spayin with Calcium spray and drenchin calcium per Doc.......we'll see its 750 day 37.......i have cut back to just water for a bit...

8/20/2011 5:15:20 PM

Ashland, KY

After more reading of the literature, I need to ask: are these rings associated with internal cracks? I ask because punkin junkie's picture looks like there are internal cracks.

EP

8/20/2011 6:31:34 PM

Midway, UT

Dill rings are internal cracks. I'm not sure anyone has the 100% answer as to what causes them, but it is probably an issue of interupted water/calcium flow to the fruit coupled with genetic factors. Having been the victim of a dill ring split on a deep rib yesterday I can say they aren't our friends.

8/20/2011 7:15:16 PM

Midway, UT

This is the best article I have found on blossom end splits and dill rings. http://www.gvgo.ca/articles/article_landry01.html

8/20/2011 7:17:31 PM

Ashland, KY

I asked about whether sag rings are internal cracks because I found a paper that stated that low oxygen (hypoxia) in clay soil can cause internal cracks and that oxygenation can reverse these rings. I have no idea if the soil in question is clay or not, but maybe aerating the soil can help?

paper link:

www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jas/article/download/5586/5633

EP

8/20/2011 11:41:09 PM

Circleville, Ohio

Yes Joe - it's Rob V.
I can tell you all I will have pics soon. The pumpkin split and I will learn from this.
It was 750 at day 37.

8/22/2011 10:30:59 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Dang Rob! It would seem that most of us growers in this area are having our own brands of problems this year. I'm having to consider earlier weigh-offs for the first time ever, as a couple of my pumpkins are in "hang on" mode and the plants have deteriorated quickly after storm damage. I'm out there every day and can't seem to keep up with one malady or another. I've seen more different types of problems this year than in any year previous. Time to start planning next season.

8/23/2011 9:58:53 AM

Circleville, Ohio

1st - I want to thank everyone who replied...I learned a lot.

Joe - it has been a tough year. This is my 3rd year and I have not had "good" luck yet. I'll get to 1000 though just keep tryin....I've been on my way there twice but had issues.....I think this pumpkin would have been well in excess of 1000.

8/23/2011 9:56:38 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I say it's awl Howard's fault!!! LOL Peace, Wayne
Grow em BIG!!!

8/24/2011 12:05:07 AM