1006 Child "The Living Dead" Update 8/24/98
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: 1006 Child "The Living Dead" Update 8/24/98
- From: G*@aol.com
- Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 21:34:36 EDT
Updated text marked with **.
On 8/7/98 my Geer 1006 developed a fatal blossom end split. I discovered it
at 5:30 a.m., after regaining my composure, I took some Tree Tanglefoot and
sealed the crack hoping to mature the seeds. Even though it developed a crack
I want to grow this strain again. It is the most vigorous vine I have ever
seen, circumference at the base of the vine is 18". If I get some seeds I
will grow it next year with a couple of other Pumpkins on the vine as shock
absorbers.
Now the "Living Dead" part:
8/7: the day it split 135" c backed off on water and fertilizer. (Had been
growing 1.5 - 2" per day)
OTT on 8/7 289
8/8: 135.750
8/9: 136.500
8/10: 137.500
8/11: 139.000 (resumed water and fertilizer)
8/12: 140.000
8/13: 141.000
8/14: 141.750
8/15: 142.750 Second crack at Dill Ring, did not open up into seed cavity,
sealed with Tree Tanglefoot.
8/16: 143.500
** 8/17: 144.000 OTT 304.5 Webbing starting to form.
** 8/18: 144.250
** 8/19: 144.375 Back center top rib bulging up.
** 8/20: 144.500
** 8/21: 144.500
** 8/22: 144.500
** 8/23: 144.500
** 8/24: 144.500 OTT 306.5
** Seems to have stopped growing, except for some subtle rib shape changes.
I’m sure the air getting into the seed cavity triggered the plant to mature
the Pumpkin quickly as a defense mechanism to save the seeds and reproduce.
Pumpkin still hasn’t started to soften.
Keep expecting to go out there and see it in a big heap, not yet. It seems to
slow down after a crack only to recover again. Thought the Tree Tanglefoot
might attack the pumpkin flesh, no sign of it yet. (It wasn't my first choice
but at 5 a.m. it was all I could find in a hurry.) I still expect it to stop
growing and go soft any day now.
** Tanglefoot update: did not attack the flesh of the Pumpkin. The crack is
still open into the seed cavity it did not scare over but has been sealed from
the air since the first morning the crack appeared. The Tanglefoot if used
before the split gets to the cavity may keep a Pumpkin going. Next year when
a Pumpkin reaches 100" and looks weak in the blossom area I’ll seal the area
with Tanglfoot before a crack appears. (or if the Pumpkin's parents have a
history of Blossom End Split) Tanglefoot has the consistency of warm taffy so
it moves with the growth of the Pumpkin to cover a crack that is starting to
open. If it is caught that early it may even scare over. It's a long shot
but what the heck.
** What might have been………….growing 1.5 - 2" per day at 135".
Next year………..
** Took some pictures, will be available by the end of the week.
George
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