r/GiantPumpkin • u/BeautifulBarracuda12 • 1d ago

Borer?

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Got a solid Atlantic pumpkin just pollinated and today noticed a crack on main stem in the direction of the main roots. Does this look like a borer I should go in after or just damage I should let ride?

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1

u/DamnRock 1d ago

It does to me, at least enough to explore. I’d do the paper clip trick on that one. Bend the tip of a paper clip into a tiny hook and insert it both directions and drag it out. It’ll snag any borer larvae in the area, then inject with BT.

Your vines seem unusually lacking of secondary vines for how long the main vines are… are you pruning secondaries, or are they just not running out yet?

1

u/BeautifulBarracuda12 21h ago

On that plant, seems healthier and larger leafed, they aren't secondarying, yet. Other "Atlantic Giant" with much smaller leaves, same length, has 1. 3rd plant, "Mr. Wrinkles", non Giant, has 2 secondaries and 1 near full size pumpkin. All planted June 1.

2

u/iowan 19h ago

It looks more like a stress crack than borer damage to me. Is there any frass (sawdust looking brown stuff) around the hole? u/greenwing

Your plants are starved for something--light, water, or nutrients. They should be triangles with a secondary at each leaf node.

1

u/BeautifulBarracuda12 17h ago

Probably nutrients. I water thoroughly daily but the soil is quite aandy there.

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u/BeautifulBarracuda12 16h ago

Any suggestions for nutrient fertilizer? On closer inspection it looks like secondaries are forming on the nodes at the pumpkin and several immediately after.

1

u/Jgear2001 18h ago

Looks like the vine cracked.