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Maine

I have a split right at the pumkin 1/4 inch long but deep.

1.can this heal over ?
2.if not wil this disqualify for a weigh in?
3.how should i patch it?
the pumpkin is 33 days old gaind 25 ponds today puting it over 500 ponds today

7/29/2010 8:34:00 PM

Newfoundland & Lab, Canada

Hi B.D. I'll try to answer your questions even though I don't have a lot of foundational experience with growing, but I've been reading this site and the Growers Dairies for over 4 years now.

1. It can heal, but usually needs to be treated with a powder fungicide like Captan and plenty of dry air circulation. It won't heal itself 'closed' if the split is deep. The edges of the split will dry out and heal up.

Captan - http://www.extremepumpkinstore.com/ecom-prodshow/captan.html

2. I'm not positive, but I think usually it's only disqualified for a weigh-in if the split goes into the interior cavity? You can use a Q-tip gently to see how far the split enters the pumpkin if you cannot see with a light. Others feel free to correct me on this. You can download and view the official GPC rules here: http://greatpumpkincommonwealth.com/resources.php

3. Some people have patched deep splits with a variety of things to keep the pumpkin growing, but only if the split enters the cavity, and only in the attempt to save the Pumpkin till the fall, for a personal best weight and seeds etc. If it's just a stem split, hopefully after the right treatment it will heal and not progress into the cavity. Usually very deep splits in the stem are difficult to deal with.

Sounds like you have a nice sized pumpkin there! Hopefully it will make it.

7/29/2010 9:14:58 PM