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Hi Everyone, My 1325 Hopkins pumpkin is still doing good and gaining weight but the biggest problem I have right now is the there are 3 minor soft spots that I'm trying to control. #1 is on the the left/top side, #2 on the bottom right and #3 is on the bottom of the stem and the vine and is a problem. I have had to dig out about 1/5" to clean #3 out and part of the vine is also slightly dripping. So what I have been doing daily is first I clean out the rotten stuff, use a slight bit of bleach mixed with water to dry out the spots then dry again then I cover up the stem area's with 2 Styrofoam plates along with a tarp overhead. So what should/ could I do different? (I don’t have access to electricity in my patch for a fan. Tips and info on this would be great.

Thanks,
Martin

9/2/2011 11:51:17 AM

Claysburg , PA

Martin , I have the same problem as you with no power in the patch. I use battery powered fans . Yes , it can get expensive but after everything else we spend money on for these beast it is pocket change.

9/2/2011 12:03:19 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Martin, I have had the exact issue on my 1059 with parts of the stem goin brown and rotting. My best advice is to get a fan (battery powered if need be). I used Captan but that seemed to just make it worse since. It was like a ball of dough. What seems to work is cutting it, treating it (I used rubbing alcohol since it dries fast) and then the fan will help scar it over. I believe more air circulation is better so not sure I would cover it on dry days. This is just what has worked for me.

9/2/2011 12:12:06 PM

Bethlehem CT

clean it out, paint with straight daconil.

9/2/2011 12:58:48 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

A fan is the #1 defense. Don't be afraid to scrape deeper to remove bad tissue. I know you don't want to eliminate too much stem but you are only hurting it worse if you allow the rot to continue thru the stem.

9/2/2011 4:32:42 PM

Frankfort Ohio

get u a electric fan from a car cheap at a junk yard then a car battery mine will run for 2 to 3 days on a marine battery

9/3/2011 2:44:23 PM

Coventry R.I.

I aggree with the battery fan,,, I use hydro-peroxide,, after cleaning out brown spots

9/3/2011 8:36:16 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I generally trea these types of spots with rubbing alcohol, after scraping down to good tissue. Use a fan and when dry apply dry fungicide powder like captan or sulfur. Then keep the area dry.

9/4/2011 12:08:30 AM