From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Last week I pollinated 2 pumpkins that took and started growing. When I got home this afternoon I found that it had split wide open. What causes that, and can it be prevented?

Thanks

Kenny

8/1/2006 6:02:57 PM

My guess would be the heat kenny,,,hang in there and keep trying!!! Maybe try the ice thing that the California growers are using,,get a good set,,then keep it shaded from the start,,maybe the temps will drop for you.

8/1/2006 7:10:47 PM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

The ice thing is how I got the 2 to set. I've had them shaded sense I took the cooler off them. The sunshine has never touched them. Can they blow up at any size? It's so hot all the females are dieing off before they bloom, and I'm keeping them out of the sun too.

8/1/2006 8:18:48 PM

San Diego

many times it's genetic when it happens so young, nothing can be done, or over watering/fertilizing.

8/1/2006 11:27:07 PM

Kenny,, after reading that you have done the right things getting the pollinations, perhaps the plant is still recovering from the stress it went through in the storm. I still think that if you keep trying you can get a fruit to set and take. It's getting late, but like you said, "it's all learning for next year" and you might still get a nice big one for the yard with all the effort. Good luck !!

8/2/2006 7:13:01 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yeah Kenny..keep trying...New pumpkins that have been over fertilized are pushed way to hard for the size (volume) of the exterior shell...like to get them to start slowly...if they try to push to much weight into the small package they'll burst..take your notes...get the plants growing..back off all ferts..set the fruit..get them growing resume ferts...I think you got it now! GrowEmBig!
Chuck

8/2/2006 7:49:41 AM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Dan, this is the plant that wasn't effected by the storm it was next to the fence. It didn't have any visable damage. This is a 1150 Daletas. Every female I've pollinated but 1 has come on this plant.

Chuck, I haven't fertilized in 4 weeks. I read in late June that that could be a problem in getting females to mature. God knows we haven't had any rain, and I haven't dumped a lot of water on the patch. I'm using the turtles approach "slow and steady".

6 months ago I thought I would have had a patch full of pumpkins by now. I apologize for not listen to all you guys & gals who tried to warn me back in Feburary how hard this was going to be.

Kenny

8/2/2006 9:44:32 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hang in there buddy!..Lot's to learn...We all stay rookies..learn something new everyday...You'll be teaching others next year...Keep the water steady...if it drys out then rains a sure split is about to happen...set two or three to start as "shock absorbers" until the volume will hold a good push....the remove the other ones slowly by cutting them off the vine a little each day...allowing the keeper to get used to full plant power...These guys are great and will help ya all they can! GrowEmBig! Chuck

8/2/2006 10:43:24 AM

Coventry R.I.

hi kenny, i have learned something,when the big hitters say plant the dam plant, you should plant it. we wound,nt have to deal with this heat, poll would be done. rookie mistake ,besides being 2 weeks behind lol frank4 the rookie

8/2/2006 12:24:33 PM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Frank I planted mine on the 4th of May. I just made a bunch of rookie mistakes early in July trying to pollinate. Next year I'm planting earlier, do better vine management, and try to pollinate the last part of June before it gets like this. It's just to dang HOT here now. I'm not throwing in the towel yet, I'm still learning something new everyday. AND HAVING FUN,WHICH IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

8/2/2006 1:58:29 PM

Coventry R.I.

thats true kenny,having fun, esp. seeing my 2 boys enjoy this as much as me.

8/2/2006 2:37:34 PM

Selbyville, Delaware

Kenny mine split last year do to excessive water. I had watered, then within 12 hours got about 2 inches of rain, it split within one day. I'm keeping better track of upcoming storms.

8/3/2006 11:08:00 AM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

Laura, I'm trying to track that to, last night it was suppose to rain all night and into this morning so I didn't water. you guessed it NO rain. It's a good thing I started this with a full head of hair. I hope your patch is doing well?

8/3/2006 12:47:01 PM