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Huntsville Texas

We have a very lovely round field pumpkin that is about fifty pounds, from a Lyons 99. We have been watering it every day, keeping the soil uniformly moist. However, after a heavy rain yesterday and another rain today, we discovered it had developed a crack at the blossom end, about an inch deep and an eighth of an inch wide. The shape is really beautiful. It is already about half orange between the green netting. Is there any way to heal the crack, keep it going, ideally to heal the pumpkin but otherwise at least so we can get the seeds? It was crossed with the 162 MacKinnon. Would it help to squeeze a tube of Neosporin into the crack to keep bugs out and fight bacteria and/or put a bandage over it? Right now, having just found the crack, we have not done anything.Suggestions, please.

6/16/2012 9:26:22 PM

Rochester, MN

As long as it doesn't break into the cavity, ie.. once air has gotten into the cavity...it is a goner..it is still a valid pumpkin for a weighoff. As to what to do if it hasn't gone into the cavity and you want to really save it...I would keep it very dry with fungicides (captan) and a fan...but this seems a bit much for a Field Pumpkin. :-)
Good luck.

6/16/2012 11:09:09 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Yep...what Dave said...spray a fungicide and keep it dry. When I etch logo's into pumpkins I sculpt/remove the rind down about an 1/8 of an inch. Then dust it with captain.

Cracks are ok/ Split into the cavity on a field pumpkin is game over

6/17/2012 7:32:11 PM