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Essex, UK

Check my diary, posted a pic of my squash that wants to grow as a bird bath and crush its stem. Have tried propping it up with more sand and lifting the board it's on with bricks to angle it forwards but not working. Anyone got any suggestions on how to proceed otherwise I think I'll lose it

7/25/2018 5:04:56 PM

Westmoreland, KS

I looked at your picture if it was me i would cut the board under the stem and then dig into the soil...gotta do what it takes to save the pumpkin

7/25/2018 5:27:59 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

I agree with Jake as I have done this procedure several times with bird bath pumpkins! If you have plywood or any other solid material under the stem that will make contact with the stem as the pumpkin grows chip away at the material so the stem of the pumpkin does not make contact with the material. Then dig a trench under your pumpkin stem and also under the runner the pumpkin is growing off of a good one to two feet in either direction. This way as the pumpkin grows it will force downward pressure on its stem and possibly on your runner and with the trench under both it will push the stem and runner into the trench causing no pressure that could break off your stem. I grew one two years ago where my trench was a good 12 inches deep under the stem and the stem and runner were a good six inches into the trench when she was done growing it weighed 1,834 so it can be done with some work on your part just keep tabs on it each day so you know if you have to go deeper with the trench. I wish you the best of luck!

7/25/2018 5:46:56 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have 2 doing the same thing this year, and others did it in the past. Carefully dig a hole under the stem and vine to relieve stress.

7/25/2018 5:56:51 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Just curious, but do you put a fan on the stem growing into a hole since it’s in such a confined space?

7/25/2018 6:27:22 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

Two years ago I did put a fan on the 1,834 because the stem started to weep a little and we got into a hot humid period of time and I believe it certainly helped as I had no further problems with the stem. It wouldn’t hurt to put a fan on it but in some cases might not be necessary if no problems are found with the stem which you should check daily.

7/25/2018 7:44:14 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I don't use a fan. Its way too far to run electricity, except for the electric fence wire. I just put a tarp over mine this evening, right before rain moved in, to try to keep it dry. And being under the pumpkin it is naturally shielded from rain.

7/25/2018 10:56:57 PM

stoughton WI

If it were me, I would get a couple friends, cut loose some tap roots and try and roll it back towards the blossom end, and stuff some peices of styrofoam under both sides of the stem end. If that sand gives way she may roll onto the stem end.

7/26/2018 12:56:00 PM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

I had a big one like that a few years ago. I would dig down and create space for the vines and stem. Keep it powdered with Sulphur to keep it dry. The shoulders will fill in and support the fruit and actually create very little stem stress. Mine was trouble free after that. I let another squash grow that way as well without purposely jacking the stem up.

7/26/2018 2:10:43 PM

Essex, UK

Cheers for the suggestions guys. Have shifted it back a bit and dug a hole under the stem end. Smidgen late with it as the stem has bent a little bit, best plant as well, bugger! Oh well should keep growing but think it's potential has been limited.

7/26/2018 4:53:46 PM