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Napa, CA

Hi friends,
I’m new to this message board. I am not new to growing things, but I am new to growing giant pumpkins this year. My very FIRST pumpkin I successfully pollinated about 5 days ago, and my has it grown fast. This is my 3rd attempt and it finally worked, everything has been going great except this morning I woke up to check on it & measure it, and I noticed some yellow clear ooze at the base where the wilting flower is. Wish we could post pics here. I’m nervous about this. I honestly have no idea what it could be. Why is my baby green and growing pumpkin oozing yellow puss? What should I do? Wipe it with peroxide? Leave it? Help please!! D:
I live in Napa, CA, and my pumpkin is growing in partial shade as I noticed the ones in full sun were dying from heat. The area I live in is a Mediterranean climate and things grow very prolifically.
Thank you so much,
Jennifer

8/11/2020 11:57:20 AM

Colorado

Jenn, I'm not sure what the yellow ooze is. I'd recommend peeling the flower petal away from the blossom nub.The flower petal holds moisture in that area and can cause rot to form.I try to peel away partially at day three and by day five it will pull cleanly from blossom scar.

8/11/2020 1:44:36 PM

Colorado

Sorry I didnt realize this was field pumpkins. The flower comes off naturally on them,not to worry.

8/11/2020 1:47:21 PM

Grittyville, WA

They could leak a little sap as they grow, from the blossom scar. Growing pains. Good luck.

8/12/2020 1:14:30 AM

Napa, CA

Cojoe & G. Kins-

Thank you. I didn’t know pumpkins ooze that when they grow! Kinda funny lol. After I posted this, I went back to open up the flower only to find a black & mildew infested pistillate. I read an older post here from 7 years ago about what I’m assuming was the same thing, which said to wipe the area around the wilting flower with yellow ooze around it with a watered down peroxide solution. I also wiped away the mildew and kept the flower exposed to allow air flow. Today, I checked again and the flower fell right off. It reminds me of when my son was born and his belly button was healing! 😂 I did the same thing with him. Funny how similar it is.
My pumpkin has a “healed belly button” now too! Haha!
Anyway, it’s now healed and looking better.
Thanks for the help.
-J

8/12/2020 3:37:03 PM