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Central Illinois

Last year I had a foamer , and someone suggested removing the secondary closest to the stump, should I remove this and if so when.They didnt suggest removing it to bled off the water they said keeping the stump cleaned up had stopped them from getting foamers.





http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=239227

6/13/2015 12:28:25 PM

Illinois

Had a foamer last year too. I thought it started from tension between the first secondary and the main. Once anything happens close to the stump, that's always going to be a concern over the next three months. If any injury happens at secondary junction, since its so close to the stumpk, the pumpkin will suffer. Do you think the first secondary on your plant has a good gap between the junction and the stump? And, is the first secondary anchored pretty good? There are challenges to keeping any secondary that close to the stump... Did you have an injury last year that may have caused the foam? Did the opening happen because your plant was growing like a beast or because of an SVB or because it got injured by tension?
Greg

6/15/2015 7:43:45 PM

Central Illinois

Last year I never cleaned anything off the stump it was a mess,foaming started through a broken leaf stalk. I am removing the first secondary from this plant by cutting it in half each day over a 3 day peiod.

I already have a problem , the next secondary twisted in the wind and has cracked at the main, it was a bit mushy yesterday but I have sulfur on it ,a fan and covered it with a sheet of glass. We are getting rain several times a day so drying it will be tough

6/16/2015 7:48:00 AM

Illinois

I think your on the right track with the first secondary and cleaning the stump of any non-essential growth. I'd ask how others deal with a crack at the junction from a secondary. If the crack is 1/2 way thru the thickness of the secondary and there's discoloration or liquid or rot, you're going to have to either remove it or really dry it up fast. It's not the end but that junction may cause trouble (rot) pretty soon. Have you tried surrounding the plant with wind barriers? I used black plastic and wood stakes. Very cheap. Best wishes

6/17/2015 5:22:02 AM

Central Illinois

yes I have 3 ft erosion fence, I may go with 4ft next year,I dont know if it will work but I may try Privacy Screen or shade cloth

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D4B20W8?colid=34JJXDIBOX05S&coliid=I1TAKBSOGHVO5P&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

6/17/2015 8:10:38 AM