Squash stems splitting

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by obxer on May 01, 2004 06:54 PM

Can anybody tell me why the stems on my new squash plants are splitting? It also happens to my cuke plants. Too much water, not enough? Soil conditions?

* * * *
Kim
http://outerbanksvacationhomes.photosite.com/Fotoflower/

by weezie13 on May 01, 2004 07:29 PM

Obxer,
Can you tell us a little more about the growing
conditions that the plants are in?????

*Raised beds,
*Your watering practices (ie; time, how (drip, overhead with hose, etc.)
*Fertilizing???

It might be something someone will know,
but in the mean time, let us know those answers.

Weezie

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by obxer on May 01, 2004 10:16 PM

The seeds were started in a hothouse setting a few weeks ago. I planted the peat pots about two weeks ago in the garden (not raised). A little fertilizer was mixed into the soil before we put any plants in. I watered about every other day until they were a bit more established and now just as needed. I don't let them get really dry. I also put Sevin in the soil around the outside of the hill as recommended by a local older gardener to keep the pests at bay which actually bury into the stems.

* * * *
Kim
http://outerbanksvacationhomes.photosite.com/Fotoflower/

by weezie13 on May 02, 2004 05:00 AM

Obxer,
Are any of the leaves wilted during the day??
Weezie

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by Phil and Laura on May 02, 2004 03:21 PM

Hi, Grow a Few squash, actually I am a member of Minnesota Giant Pumpkins and I have two things to say...based ONLY on my exp. with growing...First, NO plants, of any kind, require ANY fertilizer until the first true leaves emerge,not the cotyledons, they are the two round thingys that emerge first ,Packed inside every seed is all the nourishment they need till then, this is called the endosperm and it feeds the roots for develpment secondly, starting mix(again use mix WITHOUT fertilizer) should be wet and just to the point thhat if you squeeze a hand full it will not drip. I did not research the split pictured, I Know; however, that stem split and fruit split will occur if too much fertilizer OR water is given a plant. Hope This helps [wayey]

by weezie13 on May 02, 2004 05:16 PM

Phil,

quote:
I am a member of Minnesota Giant Pumpkins

I had know idea you were a pumpkin!! You look so different in your pictures [Big Grin]

I never realized that about the fertilizer.....
I don't do seeds, this year I did.... I'll be looking for spliting......
I can remember last year mine did it, but I thought I used too much manure, (it was manure with woodchips worded for sale as "Compost")
I was thinking I should have let the pile sit a year before I used it.. but we learn???

The plants did split, but still produced fruit, and had no problem with them plants... [dunno]

Weezie

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

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