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Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

I had a soft spot on the top side of my pumpkin that was slightly discolored and slightly raised like a soggy wart. Please see picture:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=243235

I sprinkled sulphur powder on the spot three days ago. The raised area seemed to clear up and I thought the skin was healing over. This morning I discovered a small split where the soft spot had first appeared. The split is about 1 inch long and 1/8 inch deep. I sprinkled more sulphur powder on the split and await and further advice. I did not spray anything on the pumpkin. The pumpkin has been shaded and under a well ventilated dome. I had a few bugs but took care of them many days ago. The plant has been treated with a fungicide. The leaves look healthy and both the plant and pumpkin are growing at a fast pace.

7/21/2015 10:54:58 AM

Rudolph

I believe you've done every thing you can do, just keep the area dry, and if I were you I would take a knife and cut slits on both sides of that split/crack this will stop the crack from growing, I've dealt with splits and rot all of it only lost one pumpkin ever, no matter how bad it looks just keep it dry and monitor it closely, you shouldn't have a problem keeping it going, also that spot was probably caused by the material you are covering the kin with, I cover mine with blankets, im not saying you're useing a tarp but if you are, don't put it directly on the kin, I've had something very similar to what you have a few years ago and it was because of the tarp, it'll heat your pumpkin right up if you leave it on during a sunny day and cause you kins skin to burn,, hope that helped a little, maybe someone else will chime in,,,if you want motivation check out anyone of my diarys, it seems every year I have a fruit that looks like it has no chance of making it early on but they make it... so just dont lose sleep over a pumpkin, lord willing it'll make it.

7/21/2015 11:19:38 AM

South Hero, VT

All of the above. Keep your shade tarp at least 2 feet away from the skin of the fruit. Put a thermometer on top of your sheet to check temp.

Dry and rot free are the key words and sulfur powder will do that. A fan 24/7 wouldn't hurt.

Been there, done that. :(

7/21/2015 11:46:08 AM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

Thanks. My shade cloth is on the dome that I erected over the pumpkin so there is nothing within 3 feet of the pumpkin. I'll take both your sage advice and keep a close eye on it. Also, as I am at DAP 15, is it too early to start feeding for fruit development?

7/21/2015 11:51:40 AM

Rudolph

I feed straight through pollination, 1/4 strength every day, but some people stop for awhile, but day 15 you should start feeding again if you stoped, just dont over do it, slow and steady.

7/21/2015 12:15:24 PM

South Hero, VT

I can only echo the previous post. Feed away. 1/4 strength every day is the way to get a biggie. Don't feed the 'kin too much water, too much nitrogen or too much potassium(keep the @#$%! away from 0-0-60!!!)or you will BLOW your chances.

Been there, done that. :(

7/21/2015 2:11:07 PM