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New England

Is it normal for a pumpkin to keep growing with a massive and ever-growing blossom end split?? I have a 1059 that has done over 80 pounds of growth in the 6 days with a huge hole in it. I have kept it covered to keep the bugs out and to keep it sheltered from the heat from the sun which would cause more rot issues. So far no signs of rot in it??

Would you take it to weigh off just to get a weight on it? It is a new personal best for me despite the BES

9/15/2014 9:22:20 AM

New England

the split is now big enough for me to fit my hand through if that is any indication of how bad it is.

9/15/2014 9:23:12 AM

aurora, IL

I'm not sure if that is normal, but I had a pumpkin at 43lbs that started to rot out just below the blossom end. The rot continued to grow where you could put a finger all the way thru into the inner part of the fruit, but it kept on growing until a heavy rain storm caused a big split to form right thru the rotting area. Then, I removed the pumpkin and tried to save the few seeds that I could. The only pumpkin I have left is about 90lbs with rot just to the left of the blossom end and has stopped growing for about 2 weeks.

9/15/2014 10:32:10 AM

Langley, BC,Canada

I had a 450lb pumpkin that developed a large stem split but continued to grow and put on about 100 lbs after the split. However.... it did eventually rot out and was super disgusting to get rid of. If you're close to weighoff time and want a weight then go for it. If you still have a bit of time, I would get rid of it while it's not a pole of goo. Check out my diary pics, it was nasty!

9/15/2014 12:01:20 PM

Jericho Vermont

Yes it is usual and some will grow 100s of pounds while being split to the core. Growers sometimes do this to add age to seed development. Unfortunately once the pumpkin is "unplugged" from the plant it will rot very quickly as the process has already started as soon as air got introduced to the cavity.

9/15/2014 12:01:41 PM

Langley, BC,Canada

*pile of goo

9/15/2014 12:01:46 PM

British Columbia, Canada

Yes, sometimes pumpkins will grow after splitting. Unfortunately it'll likely begin to rot soon because air / bacteria got inside the fruit.

9/15/2014 12:37:51 PM

New England

weigh off is next Wednesday. who thinks I can keep it going?? breaking out the spray bottle of peroxide ;)

9/15/2014 12:47:40 PM

Langley, BC,Canada

Give it a shot! Blow some powdered sulphur in the split?

9/15/2014 2:50:27 PM

Rhode Island

farmergal ---- dont be remembered because you took a pumpkin with a fist sized hole in it to a weigh-off.
harvest the seeds and come back next year with a solid entry. at least thats what i would do.
pap

9/15/2014 5:53:10 PM

Stanwood, Washington

Unless its rotten and stinky i would take it to the weigh off it doesn't hurt anything and its fun to go and get an actual weight for it. I certainly wouldn't be worried about what others are thinking. Your the one who poured all the time and effort into it and you deserve to know for sure how it did weight wise. On the other hand if it is rotten and stinky, I would not take it because the last thing you want is it disintegrating in the middle of the weigh off and spilling smelly liquid all over the place.

9/15/2014 7:23:23 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Having just experienced the same thing I suspect the 'kin won't survive the lift unless it's already on a pallet.
Insides go away pretty quickly when outsides give no indication! Good luck!

9/15/2014 7:43:49 PM

New England

the problem with this pumpkin is it is a new personal best for me so I really wanted to get a weight on it. It did 20 pounds in the last 2 days and is over 400 now. The walls still seem very solid and no signs of rot or mold (no smell). I have kept it layered and covered which has kept the pumpkin very cool (like a fridge) with these cold temps. If it still looks good next week I think I'm going to try putting it on a pallet for the weigh off. If it doesn't survive that initial test oh well but I don't think I can bring myself to give up on a personal best!

9/16/2014 8:16:25 AM

Upa Creek, MO

I have had splits the last 3 years and you'd be amazed the amount of "soup" inside the cavity after a week. The bottom is the first area to go with all the bacteria and rotten biomass in the cavity. I'd get your hand in there to feel around next week. Mine have blown in the hot months each year so you do have temps on your side.

9/16/2014 8:59:02 AM

New England

ill check the bottom tonight. if its yucky I will trash it now and not even waste my time lol. thanks!

9/16/2014 9:54:47 AM

New England

I checked it, it was still solid, no soft sludge on the bottom yet. will check again today.

9/18/2014 8:29:07 AM