Re: stem splits
Kathie
I had that happen several times the most memorable was my 845 Bobier. the
one i chose to go with was growing the fastest in fact three times faster then
the others it had five or six longitude cracks but they were not deep the
pumpkin didn't even hit the ground till it was almost 20 inches in
circumference and I simply chalked the cracks up to the stem stretching as quickly as it
could. that stem ended up being one of my largest even though the pumpkin
died a 633 lbs in August. i made a mistake in 2001 my first real growing year
when I saw those same type of splits on my 791 Glasier and not knowing what
was happening I cut back on the water and the pumpkin naturally slowed its
growth and ended up at 594 lbs which was OK for me for my first year but the 703*
and 758 that sat right beside it reminded me i had made a mistake. Now if
the cracks go directly into the stem deeply now that may be another thing in
that case you may want to pollinate a few more pumpkins and hope for the best...
as it goes for me I am working from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM five days a week
and in climbing school (pole lineman) every Saturday. all my plants but four
got a virus and I pulled them except for two 962 Sherwood*, 703 Smith* and a
1180 Daletas but all are very small leafed and are not promising kinda tired
sick little plants. so looks like i am out of the running this year ... well
at least i have Nikki and Zane to fill my spare time. Zane is doing great he
is about 32 inches tall and 23 lbs of the Happiest little boy I have ever
dreamed of. he absolutely is the only Pumpkin in my life. Kinda funny Zane will
be 4 inches short of three feet tall on his birthday July 10th I think he will
be well over my height at 6'3 heck he still has 18 years to make up 43
inches..... look at me doing the ott and estimated growth on my son..... can't get
this pumpkin thing out of my head... HE HE ... Take care all.....
Kevin Smith ....... Pumpkin Pirate
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