From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Tyngsboro, MA

That's so strange. I'm glad you caught it early, and it sounds like we'll be seeing your pumpkin soon

9/30/2025 11:05:09 PM

Baraboo Wi 53913

Hi Matt, p-patch from Wisconsin. Your diaries are top notch!
I to experienced this same issue 4 weeks ago around 400", your diagnosis of this is spot on . I found I had the best luck harvesting. was greedy trying to get a few more inches seemed to progress the issue to flare up on good growing days. Was more than manageable with bleach and fan 3 days after harvesting once to solid flesh. I did dry dab daconil the area after solid was found. Best of luck

10/1/2025 12:13:05 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I've had those inside a pumpkin. Weird right?

10/1/2025 12:38:11 AM

Grittyville, WA

So it could be a reaction to an infection or just some sort of melanoma thing. What level of science can you put into figuring it out? My first reaction would be to taste it, but I probably lack basic inhibition compared to you.

10/1/2025 3:01:17 AM

Connecticut, USA

I am sad to see this news Matt. I sure hope you can get her to Topsfield on Friday. Let me know if you need any help.

10/1/2025 6:08:11 AM

Bethlehem CT

Hey Matt That stinks, I would get her to Topsfield, if you can. I and many other growers are rooting for you!! I think it will be Ok! Too me, that is a weird location on the pumpkin for rot to start. In my experience, they usually start going down where they touch the ground! This is something different, I know a month or two from now you will have some answers as to what it was, possible causes and solutions. in the meantime keep that fan blowing on it and the pumpkin temp nice and stable, if you can.

10/1/2025 7:29:28 AM

Cheshire Ma USA

Sad to see this Matt, good luck with it. I think it will make Freirichs.

10/1/2025 8:33:22 AM

Missouri

Interesting, sounds like possibly a rupture of the vascular system causing "extreme sapping" similar to a hematoma. Looks like pearls of pumpkin sap. You need to coin a term for this condition. Hopefully you can get it dried out quickly.

10/1/2025 3:19:25 PM

Connecticut

jamieg- See you at Topsfield!
P patch- Thanks for the diary comment (I could use your vote;-) Thanks for the tips to try and save it.
KC Kevin- I will be on the look out when I go in for the seeds.
Little Ketchup- I will be doing a rind inspection post weighing as I seed harvest to see what that might provide as far as potnetial insights into the cause.
Ken D.- Thanks for the offer, it looks like you will get to see it at Topsfield on Friday.
big moon- Fan is and has been on the pumpkin since about day 10 and today is day 110.
DKrus- I agree sad sight to see, but not much I could do to prevent it.
Hough- Odd occurrence for sure, I will have to work on a name.

10/1/2025 10:00:51 PM

Sharon, MA

If seen this before with late season turgo pressure from very healthy vines providing too much umf in one of my very large (2240 lb) 109 day old pumpkins. I cut the main (before the pumpkin) and all the pustules stopped immediatly and dried up an were brushed off.

10/2/2025 4:24:14 AM

Upa Creek, MO

You could honestly put a small salmon hook through it and catch Trout.

10/2/2025 8:01:11 AM

Western PA

Lol Luke! That does look like an egg sac that I would use for steelhead or salmon !

10/2/2025 9:11:32 AM

Australia [email protected]

Hey Matt no good do you think it could be similar to when mine starts to age I often get little round beads developing over the skin more honey coloured normally and a bit of moisture with them

10/2/2025 3:31:32 PM

Boscawen, NH

Matt, had the same issue back in 2018 with the 1803 Gadberry. Was about 1700 lbs. and one morining suddenly had all these blisters. George H. was kind enough to forward a bunch of photos to the UNH Ag. dept. All were in consensus that it was an extreme case of fruit edema. I knew what edema was in humans but did not know it is a condition that can happen in fruit and plants. Guessing that due to the high turgor pressure in atlantic giants it is more common with them. Also think there are mild cases like Dale's and more extreme like yours and mine in 2018.

10/3/2025 12:34:06 PM

Connecticut

Thanks to all who have replied, this is how we can get a better idea of what these odd occurrences are, through shared experiences. I like the grower term "Fish Eggs" and the scientific term "Edema" to help explain to all levels what is going on. Thanks, pumpcon, Smallmouth, ZAPPA, dale and sgeddes for your comments on this posting to help reach a general idea of what likely occurred and what to call it.

10/4/2025 10:44:22 PM