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Bloomington, IN USA

I know that we like a nice long stem to help with keeping the shoulders of the fruit away from the main vine.
I have seen considerable variation in the length of the stems of female blossoms.
But I have never seen one like this.
Take a look at my growers diary at the pic of my giant squash.
At 3 DAP the stem is 9 3/4 inches long!
My? Is the significance of it, has anyone seen this before?
It is around a week after that pic and the fruit is growing reasonably well.
The stem has developed a longitudinal split which I sprayed with hydrogen peroxide and treated with Sulfur.

7/28/2017 12:26:15 PM

Central NY

My squash plants did that last year...maybe not quite that tall ...stems split like crazy on the way down ...they healed up though ...pretty neat

7/28/2017 12:55:14 PM

Colorado

That one may be a little scary to get to lay down-however should be a breeze positioning and youll have to get to 3000 lbs before the vine is up against shoulder of the fruit:)

7/28/2017 3:52:52 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Put a pillow for that one to land on.... Grower in Utah had similar off my squash seed this year and it broke it self off when it decided to lay down and or got too heavy for the long stem.... Keep it growing...good luck

7/28/2017 4:39:13 PM

Deer Park WA

I wish my stem was longer..

7/28/2017 8:50:46 PM

Morgantown, WV

Kirsha has quite a stem on her pumpkin, July 9 entry in her diary. This is one of the longest I have ever seen on a pumpkin.

Both my 1511.5 Haist squash and 1060 Holub squmpkin have really long stems, which I have been told is typical of squash.

Conversely, my 2106 Schmit has one of the shortest stems I have ever seen, and is in same patch as previously mentioned plants. I would imagine it is more of a genetic thing than a nutritional thing, so good luck on it and have a safe landing. I would prop the main vine a little to lessen the incline a bit, and you can also see in my diary how to support from underneath using bamboo canes if you like that option better. Put a "V" a little less than halfway, and a second "v" a little more than halfway for double support to keep from snapping in middle, and adjust daily until touchdown.

7/28/2017 9:10:39 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Yes, I had to brace it up and raise a styrofoam panel to catch it.
Cojoe I am trying to get it to 3000 to cozy up the shoulders against the main vine but I am running out of time. Lol
It was pollinated July 17.

7/28/2017 11:30:54 PM