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Subject:  Pumpkin Death....

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stone_holder

Kansas

I need help....Every pumpkin that i set grows to about the size of a softball and then turns a white color and dies. It just gets soft and kind of mushy and stops growing. What would be causing this? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks....Shawn.

7/1/2002 10:50:21 AM

peepers

Tacoma, WA

That is usually due to incomplete pollinization. Are you using 2 or 3 males and transfering the male pollen by hand rubbing the pistel on the female about 9 or 10 am the day it opens?
If you are doing it correctly, then it may be the heat that is causing the abortions.

7/1/2002 1:08:45 PM

stone_holder

Kansas

Peepers,

I am hand pollinating with atleast 3 males in the morning around 7:30 to 8:00 am. I asked my county extension agent today and she said it sounds like the plant is not developed enough to substain the pumpkins yet(the first few pumpkins). She said it should be fine after the first 3 of 4 aborts. Does this sound correct?????? The plant is very large right now...outgrowing the 18'x 35' patch...several hundred leaves. I'm puzzeled...Was wondering if it was a virus but the plant looks healthy. I'm open to all suggestions...Shawn.

7/1/2002 1:36:20 PM

gordon

Utah

i think peeper is right... it may be the heat.
fruit will abort if the daytime temps reach 90.
i have heard of few growers that place a styrofoam
cooler over the just pollinated fruit with ice in
plastic bottles around the fruit.

7/1/2002 1:58:22 PM

peepers

Tacoma, WA

Shawn,
Yes, sometimes the first early females may not "take"!
However, high temps are usually the most common cause....unless it is too cold....that will do it as well!
Probably not a problem in Kansas.

Stan Pugh
Puyallup, WA

7/1/2002 2:37:55 PM

Alexsdad

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Stoney, Big beautiful vine growing like crazy...Healthy and can't hold a fruit...Find that hard to believe....LAst year I did the same thing until I stopped all nitrogen to the plant. Just watered it. fruit would come on get to softball size lose its shine and start rotting. Fed it way to much. SOme people here stop all nitrogen to the plant until after the fruit is set and growing. Hope this helps!
Chuck

7/1/2002 7:21:06 PM

stone_holder

Kansas

The only nitrogen i've been adding is from my fish emulsion drench...i guess i'll eliminate it for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Thanks...

7/1/2002 10:37:07 PM

Total Posts: 7 Current Server Time: 8/21/2025 3:25:22 PM
 
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