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Watlington, UK

After much hard work this year we lost the pumpkin due to a BES. I'm sure many others have had the same problem at some point or other. My theory as to why this happened in this particular instance is as follows:

1 - horizontal nature of the blossom end led to a pooling of cool air in that region
2 - sudden drop in temperature overnight caused the pumpkin to contract, resulting in BES
3 - despite prompt attention with elemental S in the morning, fungal spores entered the split and germinated inside causing irreparable and irreversible damage

So to avoid this in future I will try and provide more Si and Ca earlier on to build thicker walls. I will also try and insulate the pumpkin against temp fluctuations by using a duvet or blanket. Careful positioning of the pumpkin early on might prevent pooling of cool air in that area. Having a fan on the blossom end 24/7 might help too but that will be tricky as we have no electricity at the plot. Finally trying a seed that has thick blossom end genetics!

Further suggestions welcome!

9/3/2018 4:04:02 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I rarely have blossom end splits, but I had one this year.
1. it was not in a horizontal position. It was stem down, blossom up. A rabbit damaged it and I didn't give it good attention. By the time I got around to trying to save it, it was too late to get it positioned right.
2. I get sudden drops in temperature all the time. I am in a steep valley,and downstream it turns into a winding, tree filled limestone canyon. Air cant' drain through so cold air sinks in every evening.
3. Once the split hits the cavity, its lights out.

In the past, I think my splits were caused by too much water or disease. One of the few splits was on a pumpkin that was over 7 inches thick at the blossom. Soon after the split, the whole plant died.

9/3/2018 11:18:16 PM

Grittyville, WA

In my patch I surrounded one of the horizontal-grown ones with dirt to help it keep its shape. There was a wrinkle near the blossom that had me worried. When it grows into the dirt the weight gets shifted to the sides better and the blossom end distorts less. Theoretically. But so far the theory works... it has not split. This will also be part of my blossom-down strategy next time I grow blossom-down.

9/4/2018 10:59:55 AM

Colorado

A level fruit helps. and genetics is key

9/4/2018 5:59:39 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Foliar spray & Drench with micro nutrients and Glycine or Fulvic acid daily. Ensure tank mix is 5.5 pH and you will be fine.

9/12/2018 2:16:42 PM