Pumpkins are rotting on the vine - Ask Extension
I have planted a pumpkin patch for the first time.. I have plenty of blossoms but about half fall off before they fruit. When I do get a baby pumpkin...
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Pumpkins are rotting on the vine #419688
Asked August 07, 2017, 10:30 AM EDT
I have planted a pumpkin patch for the first time.. I have plenty of blossoms but about half fall off before they fruit. When I do get a baby pumpkin they are rotting . Any idea what I am doing wrong? Thx
Harford County Maryland
Expert Response
The bloom drop can occur under high heat stress. Also, the male blossoms are there solely to provide pollen and they will drop off. Only the female blossom will remain on the plant. So, yes, you might lose half of the blossoms.
Here is additional information about poor blossom set.
https://extension.umd.edu/growit/poor-blossom-and-fruit-set-vegetables
https://extension.umd.edu/growit/vegetable-profiles-summer-squash
The rotting of the pumpkins might be due to choanephora rot, a fungal disease. https://extension.umd.edu/growit/choanephora-rot
Pumpkins are also susceptible to other fruit rot diseases. We recommend growing disease resistant varieties. Cornell University is a good resource for identifying varieties that have disease resistance.
http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/Tables/Cucurbit_pumpkins%20table2016.pdf
ckc
Here is additional information about poor blossom set.
https://extension.umd.edu/growit/poor-blossom-and-fruit-set-vegetables
https://extension.umd.edu/growit/vegetable-profiles-summer-squash
The rotting of the pumpkins might be due to choanephora rot, a fungal disease. https://extension.umd.edu/growit/choanephora-rot
Pumpkins are also susceptible to other fruit rot diseases. We recommend growing disease resistant varieties. Cornell University is a good resource for identifying varieties that have disease resistance.
http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/Tables/Cucurbit_pumpkins%20table2016.pdf
ckc
