bleach

My question is this: I have started to wipe down the big gal with the
recommended bleach: water ratio because weather wise, it has been so
wet and my lower garden has shown signs of mold and fungus and I am
taking all steps to contain it to that garden and not transfer the
disease to the giant. It has also been like late September
temperatures rather than early August. Will this cooler 49 degree
evenin  g weather be detrimental to growth? How critical is it to
pumpkin growth to have hot dry days during the peak night time growth
period- which I am about to start- I pollinated July 13th and am
expecting to hit a steady growth spurt soon since I buried my
secondary and tertiary vines two days ago and fed all the plants. Will
this bleach water do anything to alter the integrity of the shell?
Does it enhance or deter hardening or softening quicker or slower than
usual? I decided to not put anything under her because when I first
did, the cushy Styrofoam that I used actually pooled the water under
her- I think because the ground/ soil drains so well, and is on an
incline, I think it best to be on the ground.
As for watering- I am the drip irrigation- I have been lucky with the
rain- I have not had to carry water to my pumpkin in at least 10 days.
Here in the South of Western NY the other farmers are not happy but I
am delighted. I had my two 12 yr old siblings and myself on a three
hour rotating schedule that would have mimicked the trickle hose and
we have yet to use it!  Is it too much water or too much heat or a
combo of both that causes splits in the fruit(Not the stem, but the
fruit)? My one plant, not the competition plant, but the one I was
growing to reach a few hundred lbs just split in two, right around the
center blossom to stem wise. That was my community carving pumpkin
that no longer exists.
 I thought I planned out the planting spot well, but in truth it could
not be farther away. BUT, it, the mound, is on a slight incline and is
the best draining area that I found. Since I did not remove the grass
from around the mound AND I decided to companion plant with
sunflowers, horseradish, mustard greens and an acorn squash, I find
myself feeding all the plants individually so as not to detract from
the pumpkin nutrients. So far so good, well at least I think so for my
first year. When something is chewing on the giant sunflower, its not
gnawing on my pumpkin leaves. I do have a pic from a week or two ago
on my website- www.i-tang-o.com  - it is bigger than my fat head!
So Really- should I continue with the bleach water and is this ok for
the leaves if I spill some on them?-- What is the main cause of fruit
splitting? What Common Temperature issues can I expect?
I cant wait to hear her grow! There has to be some sound to something
gaining 30 lbs a night right? I am so excited and eagerly await your
reply.
Bridgette
The Angel whispers serenity,and the echo is peace.

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