Re: Sag lines
In a message dated 2/3/00 7:59:01 PM Eastern Standard Time,
COMPUTRESE@aol.com writes:
<< Subj: Sag lines
Date: 2/3/00 7:59:01 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: COMPUTRESE@aol.com
Sender: owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com
Reply-to: pumpkins@mallorn.com
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
Group:
I prefer to call the D-rings sag lines, as well. We all know Howard Dill
created a great variety of giant pumpkin (AG) and to use his name in
conjunction with a "fault" that appears in these giants is unkind.
My first growing experience with AG was here in FL and my biggest pumpkin
(220 lb) had a sag line right down the center, perpendicular to the ribs. I
wasn't too concerned until I was showing off my garden to Tim Canniff when I
discovered a pinhole at the junction of the sag line and the rib on the top
of the fruit. The hole was probed and it did go through the flesh to the
seed
cavity. Toast.
Interestingly, the pumpkin, mortally wounded, continued to grow for four
more
days.
There seems to be no rhyme or reason for sag line occurrence. Weather?
Genetics? Some growers get 'em and some don't. I don't think size is a
factor, as I have seen some mighty large pumpkins with no sag lines.
The most interesting thing to see is a cross section of a sag line in a
pumpkin that is cut open for view. Sometimes, the sag line is so severe that
the fissure goes right to the skin, causing the pumpkin to become nearly
transparent at the sag line site. It pays to be careful when moving or
transporting a pumpkin with a sag line, as you never know how severe the
crack in the flesh is on the inside.
Barb Kincaid
Orlando, FL
Zone 9
>>
If your Pumpkin stays on the vine long after the Sag Lines have formed little
reinforcing nodules form in the crack.
George Brooks
North Tewksbury, MA USA
Approximately 25 miles Northwest of Boston
in the Merrimack River Valley
Zone 5N
Personal Bests
617.6 1991
641 1993
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